Bangalore's Jayanagar looks to dump the correct way

Segregation of waste is not mere talk, Jayanagar proved as the first solid waste treatment plant in south Bangalore was opened on Wednesday.

Located next to the veterinary hospital in 3rd Block, the plant will initially serve as a collection centre of wet as well as dry waste. Once the treatment plant is completed, wet waste will be turned into compost and dry waste will be recycled, said local MLA BN Vijay Kumar who inaugurated the plant.

“We will get about 10 tonnes of waste every day. Of this, nearly 60% to 70% is wet waste which will be composted and used in the parks in the vicinity. People can also buy the compost for their gardens,” Kumar said.

By setting up more plants this way, the BBMP can reduce the expenditure on transporting waste.

“We will also be able to generate income by efficiently recycling waste into other resources. What is more, the treatment plant will give jobs to at least 25 people,” said Dr Meenakshi Bharath, a member of the Solid Waste Management Round Table, Bangalore, who has been working with her team for the last one-and-half years for this initiative to become a reality.

“We wanted to put forward the concept that resources can be generated from waste. But this can be done only by segregating waste at the source itself. The concept can now be taken forward with the help of the BBMP,” Bharath said.

Stressing that it was important for people to know the significance of segregating waste, she asked, “If in our homes, we cannot segregate even one kg of waste, how do we expect the BBMP to segregate 50 kg of waste every day?”

“Waste can be a boon instead of a bane, if we know what to do with it. Nevertheless, for this to happen, we have to take responsibility for it. If 84 lakh Bangaloreans segregate and help create wealth out of waste, imagine the money that the BBMP will be making in terms of the money saved,” Bharath said.