Zero-garbage plan set to take off in 20 wards

To address the garbage issue thoroughly and ensure disposal of garbage at the source, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to implement the zero-garbage project in 20 wards.

The civic body plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with Janwani, a wing of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), to carry out the project. The standing committee of the PMC is likely to approve signing of the MoU with Janwani at its meeting on Tuesday.

According to the PMC, 1,400 tonnes of garbage are collected daily across the city for disposal, but half of it is organic. Twenty to 25% of the garbage can be recycled, but lack of segregation puts a burden on garbage processing units and landfill sites. Ten to 15% of the total garbage is non-recyclable. However, failure to segregate wet, dry, degradable and non-degradable garbage generates technical snags at the garbage processing plants.

Janwani will be entrusted to carry out the project with the help of the PMC’s conservancy staff and house-to-house garbage collectors.

Janwani implemented the zero-garbage project, called as Nirmal Katraj Dekhane Katraj, which won it an ISO certificate. Now this Katraj project will serve as a model of sorts for the zero-garbage project.

Janwani will have to educate rag-pickers, waste and garbage collectors on how to segregate wet and dry garbage. The problem of waste collection and segregation faced by garbage collectors will be addressed by Janwani.

Records of the project will be maintained by Janwani along with publishing and distribution of a booklet on garbage transportation and segregation for those who are on garbage collection duty.

Moreover, the project will involve PMC conservancy staffers, garbage collectors and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Janwani will try to raise funds under the corporate social responsibility from big private companies and commercial establishments in the city.

However, during the execution of the project, the solid waste management department of the PMC will not accept mixed garbage or non-segregated garbage.