BMC awaits more agencies to apply for its plan to create awareness on waste segregation

The BMC is waiting for more agencies to apply, before narrowing down on one to start a campaign, through which it plans to spread awareness on the importance of segregating dry from wet waste.

"All the problems associated with managing waste start at individual homes. Despite repeated campaigns, people do not take waste segregation seriously. Hence, we realised that only a dedicated agency can spread the message better and more comprehensively, in a professional way. As part of the campaign, posters, banners and advertisements will be put up via television, newspapers and radio," a senior civic official from the solid waste management department said.

Around Rs44 crore has been allocated by the civic body to increase awareness on the issue."Only segregation of wet and dry waste at the source will decrease the amount of solid waste that goes to the three dumping grounds of the city," the official said.

The SWM bylaws of 2006 asks for compulsory segregation of waste at source by residential societies. Repeated warning given to societies have yielded little results. The city currently generates 6,500 metric tonnes of waste daily, but data shows that less than 2% waste gets segregated at individual homes.