Children act as ‘eco-cops’, enforce their convictions

Approximately 400 tonnes of waste is generated each day in the city. Experts say that about 40% of this can be recycled if waste is segregated at source. Such recycling will ease the burden on landfills and make for a cleaner city.

The city has witnessed campaigns to enlighten bulk generators of waste. Vani Murthy of the Malleswaram Swabhimana Initiative (MSI), who has been actively involved in such campaigns, speaks to Sunitha Rao R on the urgency of recycling garbage.

What actually is the zero-waste concept? How can ordinary citizens participate in such a campaign?
It is important that we understand why waste must be sorted at source. We have been sending all waste to the landfills, polluting the soil. Segregated garbage can be recycled and re-used. Wet waste can be used for making compost. In the apartments of Malleswaram and surrounding areas, wet garbage like kitchen waste and garden cuttings are collected by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). We separate the plastic and paper waste, and store it for a week. The plastic is collected by KK Plastic, the paper by ITC. These firms recycle the dry waste. E-waste and bio- medical waste is also collected separately and given to the agencies concerned for recycling.

You have managed to rope in children too.
To me, these children are ‘eco-cops.’ They are convinced, and their conviction is enforced at home. I have 67 children of the age group 11-14 years in my apartment block who have joined me in the campaign. They show a great understanding of the subject, and speak with some expertise now. These children are champions of waste management. We have conducted camps in the summer for the children and other apartment dwellers to spread the zero-waste idea.

Why do you think segregation and recycling is so important?
Re-cycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees and about 700 gallons of water. Re-cycling one ton of plastic saves enough electricity to light a 100-watts bulb for four hours. Re-cycling one ton of plastic could save nearly 2,000 gallons of gasoline. Re-cycled plastic can be mixed with asphalt to improve the quality of roads. The power saved by recycling can save nearly Rs100 crore in the state alone.

Have BBMP officials supported you?
BBMP will be distributing two separate bins to each Malleswaram house to encourage segregation at source. The Palike has plans to refuse collection of waste if it is not segregated; fines too are likely to be imposed for careless handling of waste.   One important measure is to enlist the full support of the paurakarmikas.

They should be well-informed about the matter, and equipped with such things as gloves. Once the area that falls in their care achieves optimum management of waste, they should be rewarded.