Increase number of bins in RRR scheme to four, demand Tiruchy residents

TIRUCHY:  After the Tiruchy corporation’s removal of dumpsters and bins from city streets in keeping with the Swachh Bharat Mission failed to improve waste collection, the civic body recently rolled out the centre’s “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” (RRR ), a recycling initiative through which it collects recyclable materials.

Residents, though, have suggested a small modification that could improve the city’s waste management. Under the RRRRRRRRR scheme, three bins would be placed in front of each of the 35 micro-compost centres in the city, into which residents can deposit clothes, papers, plastic and other recyclable materials.

Residents have asked for a fourth bin in which to place bio-degradable materials. “We have micro-compost centres for most areas. It would be helpful if they place a bin to deposit degradable waste. For instance, if a resident fails to deposit waste with the door-to-door waste collection team, they can deposit it at the nearest micro-compost centre,” said R Natarajan, a resident of Srinivasa Nagar. But ground level workers point to possible drawbacks. “It may not work well.

For instance, in such a strategy, a resident may have to visit with bio-degradable waste in a bag or bin. If they come with a bag, they may throw it at some place after dropping the waste. Similarly, I don’t think someone would come with degradable waste to a compost centre in a bin,” a sanitation worker said. Some officials have seconded this view, but residents don’t agree.

“There is no guarantee that residents from all wards would visit compost centres to deposit recyclable material, but the RRRRRRRRR plan was implemented anyway. So, if one bin is placed for dropping degradable waste, residents would use it. So, the corporation should try it,” said Vani Santhosh, a resident of Vasantha Nagar. Meanwhile, senior officials said that they will consider it.

“About two years ago, there was a plan to provide such a provision in front of micro-compost centres. But, we had dropped it as there were concerns depositing unsegregated waste on those bins. But, now, things have changed as we have CCTV cameras in all micro-compost centres and can monitor the activities. Therefore, we would consider it,” a senior officer said.