Everyone likes clean and green. But there is always a big question. Do we keep it?
Few years back garbage was never a problem. The biodegradable garbage was taken care of by the animals; and there was very less use of non biodegradables like plastic. Use and throw culture was virtually nonexistent. But the things are changing at an alarming rate. With growing urbanization, touristic activities and changing lifestyle, waste management has become a burning issue in Goa. Every now and then we read about foreign visits of high officials to adopt the so called advanced techniques of garbage management. Every newspaper talks about the garbage dumps lying across the state, people’s agitation towards garbage sites, failure of govt machinery and of course, the promises to clear off the garbage. A few questions crop up in mind, who is responsible for all this mess? Who should clean it? What is our responsibility?
Methods of waste disposal
Different methods are used the world over for garbage management. Waste disposal which means lifting it from one site and DUMPING it in some other place for land filling; when the dumping site is overfull, burning or incineration are the next options. These methods are ecologically and economically not sustainable; ecologically not sustainable, because they are highly polluting in nature. Further, they are not economically sustainable as by dumping or burning the garbage, we are actually wasting the valuable resources hidden in the garbage.
Waste processing.
This is a highly technical and costly option which normally rich countries follow. In this, waste is processed for converting into energy. Some sophisticated machines were installed in different states of the country including Delhi. But none of these units are functioning to their optimum capacity. In Rajasthan, for example along with waste, a sizeable proportion of biomass which is otherwise used as fodder for animals is used in this units to get the desired result. Which itself proves that this is not a suitable option for our agro-based economy. The composition of our garbage makes it unsuitable for such units.
Waste Co –processing
In this method the waste is either used as raw material or co-product. ACC (a cement company) has been using non-biodegradables as fuel or raw material. A MOU to this effect has been signed by the Goa Government and ACC. ACC company is ready to take plastic in any condition, thermocol, even shredded tyres through this MOU to use as fuel in their high temperature kilns. In reality none of these methods are sustainable in nature. A resource scarce country like ours cannot afford to just burn away resources.
Let me put it straight by analyzing the composition of the garbage. Our daily garbage consists of 70% to 80% of biodegradables. Hardly 20% to 30% is non biodegradable. If we decide to take care of biodegradable garbage by the tried and tested methods suitable for us then hardly 20% to 30% non biodegradable garbage will need taken care of.
Some of the non biodegradables are high value articles which people normally sell for a price. But there are cheap articles such as the waste clothes, small pieces of paper, thin plastic bags which are normally dumped into the waste. In reality except for the hazardous waste everything can go for recycling including the smallest piece of paper, and the thinnest plastic bag, irrespective of its micron size. This waste is recycled into a variety of products including fuel. If these non biodegradables can go for recycling, our country can save a whole lot of resource. Only a small proportion of un-recyclable garbage would remain, that could be managed by creating proper land fill site.
There is need to understand that garbage is only a resource in the wrong place. There is a need to develop environmental sensitivity and a will to work towards its betterment. There is a need to change the mindset and make garbage everybody’s business.
The whole garbage problem begins at the source of its generation, when we mix biodegradables with non biodegradables. If we dump our biodegradable garbage, either the stray animals will take care of it or slowly but surely it will dry and mix up in the soil making it organically richer. But when we throw the garbage wrapped in plastic bags the decomposition aggravates, raising stink all around. In fact, biodegradable garbage is rich biological resource. If we decide to utilize it then there are a whole lot of ways by which we can do it.
Aerobic composting is possible in the backyard. A well aerated bin with a little bit of sugarcane waste at the bottom can speed up the process of composting. A small pit in the backyard also can be used for composting. If there is no garden space available, the best suitable methods are vermin composting and the use of Effective Microorganisms (EM). A small place in the service veranda is sufficient. The biodegradables can produce biogas and even fuel extraction is possible from non biodegradables like plastic rubber etc.
Dr. D.T. Joshi’s city farming method is extensively used in Mumbai for terrace gardens. This method is ideal for those who have interest in gardening. Dr. Poornima Usgaonkar from Ponda has a beautiful garden on her terrace with manure from biodegradable garbage. Mr. Shrikrishna Kamat from Vasco uses biodegradables to grow awesome flowers and fruits in his colony. Vermin composting on a larger scale is a very lucrative business proposition too. A biogas plant supplies my home with cooking gas round the year, takes care of our sewage and biodegradable garbage.
Of The remaining small portion of the non biodegradables some are high value articles which people normally sell for a price. But there are cheap articles such as the waste clothes, small pieces of paper, thin plastic bags which are normally dumped into the waste. In reality except for the hazardous waste everything can go for recycling including the smallest piece of paper, and the thinnest plastic bag, irrespective of its micron size. This waste is recycled into a variety of products including fuel. If these non biodegradables can go for recycling, our country can save a whole lot of resource. Only a small proportion of un-recyclable garbage would remain, that could be managed by creating proper land fill site.
A small experiment of ‘ZERO GARBAGE’ house was started in Ponda under the guidance of local NGO ‘NIRMAL VISHWA’. Nirmal Vishva volunteers created awareness about the utilization of the waste. Sites were identified and accordingly notified to people. Once in a fortnight people bring their non-biodegradable waste to the site and the collected waste is then handed over directly to the recycler. Along with the households in Khadpaband areas, a number of colonies in Ponda are now participating in this programme. Further, the programme was extended to educational institutions with the intention of training young minds. Presently nine institutions in Ponda are participating in this programme. Different NGOs such as Giants group, Bharat Swabhiman have extended their hand in this venture. I am aware that this experiment is only a small drop in the ocean, but such small models need more replication.
The entire process of waste management should be joint exercise through the participation of garbage creators as well as garbage managers. And the most important method of waste management is waste minimization or prevention of waste material being created, which is possible by following golden principal of three R’s. Making systematic attempts to REDUCE the waste generated e.g, by giving up the habit of use-and-throw culture. REUSE of products by repair instead of buying new products every time, buying products which are reusable such as cotton instead of plastic shopping bags, encouraging consumers to avoid using disposable products (such as disposable cutlery).
Apart from the role of consumers, it should be mandatory for the producers to bear the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Extended producer responsibility is meant to impose accountability on the producer over the entire lifecycle of products and packaging introduced to the market. This means that firms which manufacture, import and/or sell products are required to be responsible for the products during manufacture as well as after their useful life is over.
Another concept in this context is the Polluter Pays Principle, where the polluting party pays for the cost of correcting the impact caused to the environment. With respect to waste management, this generally refers to the requirement for a waste generator to pay for appropriate disposal of the waste.
Education and Awareness
Ultimately, without a clear focus on increasing education and awareness in the area of waste management, we will never be able to find a cure for this malady, which today is posing a nuisance, but in future could be life threatening. Even from the global perspective the change has to come for within, which is possible only with education and awareness. In some developed countries, several progressive universities have implemented the Talloires Declaration by establishing environmental management and waste management programs. University and vocational education are also promoted by various organizations, e.g. WAMITAB and Chartered Institution of Wastes Management. Many supermarket chains abroad now encourage customers to use their ‘reverse vending machines’ to deposit used purchased containers, e.g. tins, cans, bottles, tetra-packs etc. and receive a small refund from the recycling fees.
When it comes to waste management, there are several beacons in India and abroad that show the way. Some have set shining examples in their own homes and businesses while others have implemented sustainable processes in their humungous business concerns. Needless to say, some of these methods work because they are perfect for the respective waste generator or accumulator. What we need is to find out the most suitable waste management method for our ‘garbage profile’ and a will to implement such method in a sustainable manner.
Few years back garbage was never a problem. The biodegradable garbage was taken care of by the animals; and there was very less use of non biodegradables like plastic. Use and throw culture was virtually nonexistent. But the things are changing at an alarming rate. With growing urbanization, touristic activities and changing lifestyle, waste management has become a burning issue in Goa. Every now and then we read about foreign visits of high officials to adopt the so called advanced techniques of garbage management. Every newspaper talks about the garbage dumps lying across the state, people’s agitation towards garbage sites, failure of govt machinery and of course, the promises to clear off the garbage. A few questions crop up in mind, who is responsible for all this mess? Who should clean it? What is our responsibility?
Methods of waste disposal
Different methods are used the world over for garbage management. Waste disposal which means lifting it from one site and DUMPING it in some other place for land filling; when the dumping site is overfull, burning or incineration are the next options. These methods are ecologically and economically not sustainable; ecologically not sustainable, because they are highly polluting in nature. Further, they are not economically sustainable as by dumping or burning the garbage, we are actually wasting the valuable resources hidden in the garbage.
Waste processing.
This is a highly technical and costly option which normally rich countries follow. In this, waste is processed for converting into energy. Some sophisticated machines were installed in different states of the country including Delhi. But none of these units are functioning to their optimum capacity. In Rajasthan, for example along with waste, a sizeable proportion of biomass which is otherwise used as fodder for animals is used in this units to get the desired result. Which itself proves that this is not a suitable option for our agro-based economy. The composition of our garbage makes it unsuitable for such units.
Waste Co –processing
In this method the waste is either used as raw material or co-product. ACC (a cement company) has been using non-biodegradables as fuel or raw material. A MOU to this effect has been signed by the Goa Government and ACC. ACC company is ready to take plastic in any condition, thermocol, even shredded tyres through this MOU to use as fuel in their high temperature kilns. In reality none of these methods are sustainable in nature. A resource scarce country like ours cannot afford to just burn away resources.
Let me put it straight by analyzing the composition of the garbage. Our daily garbage consists of 70% to 80% of biodegradables. Hardly 20% to 30% is non biodegradable. If we decide to take care of biodegradable garbage by the tried and tested methods suitable for us then hardly 20% to 30% non biodegradable garbage will need taken care of.
Some of the non biodegradables are high value articles which people normally sell for a price. But there are cheap articles such as the waste clothes, small pieces of paper, thin plastic bags which are normally dumped into the waste. In reality except for the hazardous waste everything can go for recycling including the smallest piece of paper, and the thinnest plastic bag, irrespective of its micron size. This waste is recycled into a variety of products including fuel. If these non biodegradables can go for recycling, our country can save a whole lot of resource. Only a small proportion of un-recyclable garbage would remain, that could be managed by creating proper land fill site.
There is need to understand that garbage is only a resource in the wrong place. There is a need to develop environmental sensitivity and a will to work towards its betterment. There is a need to change the mindset and make garbage everybody’s business.
The whole garbage problem begins at the source of its generation, when we mix biodegradables with non biodegradables. If we dump our biodegradable garbage, either the stray animals will take care of it or slowly but surely it will dry and mix up in the soil making it organically richer. But when we throw the garbage wrapped in plastic bags the decomposition aggravates, raising stink all around. In fact, biodegradable garbage is rich biological resource. If we decide to utilize it then there are a whole lot of ways by which we can do it.
Aerobic composting is possible in the backyard. A well aerated bin with a little bit of sugarcane waste at the bottom can speed up the process of composting. A small pit in the backyard also can be used for composting. If there is no garden space available, the best suitable methods are vermin composting and the use of Effective Microorganisms (EM). A small place in the service veranda is sufficient. The biodegradables can produce biogas and even fuel extraction is possible from non biodegradables like plastic rubber etc.
Dr. D.T. Joshi’s city farming method is extensively used in Mumbai for terrace gardens. This method is ideal for those who have interest in gardening. Dr. Poornima Usgaonkar from Ponda has a beautiful garden on her terrace with manure from biodegradable garbage. Mr. Shrikrishna Kamat from Vasco uses biodegradables to grow awesome flowers and fruits in his colony. Vermin composting on a larger scale is a very lucrative business proposition too. A biogas plant supplies my home with cooking gas round the year, takes care of our sewage and biodegradable garbage.
Of The remaining small portion of the non biodegradables some are high value articles which people normally sell for a price. But there are cheap articles such as the waste clothes, small pieces of paper, thin plastic bags which are normally dumped into the waste. In reality except for the hazardous waste everything can go for recycling including the smallest piece of paper, and the thinnest plastic bag, irrespective of its micron size. This waste is recycled into a variety of products including fuel. If these non biodegradables can go for recycling, our country can save a whole lot of resource. Only a small proportion of un-recyclable garbage would remain, that could be managed by creating proper land fill site.
A small experiment of ‘ZERO GARBAGE’ house was started in Ponda under the guidance of local NGO ‘NIRMAL VISHWA’. Nirmal Vishva volunteers created awareness about the utilization of the waste. Sites were identified and accordingly notified to people. Once in a fortnight people bring their non-biodegradable waste to the site and the collected waste is then handed over directly to the recycler. Along with the households in Khadpaband areas, a number of colonies in Ponda are now participating in this programme. Further, the programme was extended to educational institutions with the intention of training young minds. Presently nine institutions in Ponda are participating in this programme. Different NGOs such as Giants group, Bharat Swabhiman have extended their hand in this venture. I am aware that this experiment is only a small drop in the ocean, but such small models need more replication.
The entire process of waste management should be joint exercise through the participation of garbage creators as well as garbage managers. And the most important method of waste management is waste minimization or prevention of waste material being created, which is possible by following golden principal of three R’s. Making systematic attempts to REDUCE the waste generated e.g, by giving up the habit of use-and-throw culture. REUSE of products by repair instead of buying new products every time, buying products which are reusable such as cotton instead of plastic shopping bags, encouraging consumers to avoid using disposable products (such as disposable cutlery).
Apart from the role of consumers, it should be mandatory for the producers to bear the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Extended producer responsibility is meant to impose accountability on the producer over the entire lifecycle of products and packaging introduced to the market. This means that firms which manufacture, import and/or sell products are required to be responsible for the products during manufacture as well as after their useful life is over.
Another concept in this context is the Polluter Pays Principle, where the polluting party pays for the cost of correcting the impact caused to the environment. With respect to waste management, this generally refers to the requirement for a waste generator to pay for appropriate disposal of the waste.
Education and Awareness
Ultimately, without a clear focus on increasing education and awareness in the area of waste management, we will never be able to find a cure for this malady, which today is posing a nuisance, but in future could be life threatening. Even from the global perspective the change has to come for within, which is possible only with education and awareness. In some developed countries, several progressive universities have implemented the Talloires Declaration by establishing environmental management and waste management programs. University and vocational education are also promoted by various organizations, e.g. WAMITAB and Chartered Institution of Wastes Management. Many supermarket chains abroad now encourage customers to use their ‘reverse vending machines’ to deposit used purchased containers, e.g. tins, cans, bottles, tetra-packs etc. and receive a small refund from the recycling fees.
When it comes to waste management, there are several beacons in India and abroad that show the way. Some have set shining examples in their own homes and businesses while others have implemented sustainable processes in their humungous business concerns. Needless to say, some of these methods work because they are perfect for the respective waste generator or accumulator. What we need is to find out the most suitable waste management method for our ‘garbage profile’ and a will to implement such method in a sustainable manner.
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as a start we can seperate biodegradable and non bio degradable waste and hand to our respective collection agents.