216
A. K. Yadav and S. Dash
The SWM intervention in Shivalik Nagar was initiated through Exnora Green Pammal (EGP), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in partnership with Nagar
Panchayat in June 2016. The waste collection activities commenced in October 2016
and with focus on the formation of Mohalla Committees (MC) with about 150–200
households clustered together in each area for decentralized self-management of
waste. Each household contributes a fee towards waste management services, and
the funds so collected are kept in a separate account to pay the waste collector, and
use the surplus if any, for beautification of the local area. The intervention strongly
focuses on behaviour change through information, education and communication
(IEC) activity to drive source segregation of waste at household level as well as to
inculcate hygienic habits. Till date, 116 awareness programmes have been conducted
in which 5506 community members have participated. Whilst ensuring source segregation at household level, decentralized model of composting is emphasized and
discussed with community members for adoption so as to reduce the load at the
centralized waste processing unit and also minimize transportation and other associated costs. Sustainability of a cluster area is observed after hand-holding support
by project team for 4–5 months as the MC starts managing the waste collectors
and learns to mobilize households for source segregation and decentralized composting. Two decentralized waste management models were promoted, i.e. ‘home
composting’ and ‘cluster composting’ depending on the availability of space and
acceptance.
The waste collectors who are from marginalized sections of the society are the
prime drivers of the project and are responsible for door to door waste collection and
management of the waste. They also own the recyclable waste which they collect
from the households (Fig. 1).
At the start of the project, the biodegradable component of the waste is composted
at a centralized site through vermicomposting/windrow composting methods. Subsequently, with strong IEC efforts, an approach of ‘My Waste, My Responsibility’
decentralized management of biodegradable waste through home composting and
cluster level bio-composters is encouraged to minimize costs, multiple handling and
associated environmental impacts.
The compost generated is used by the households and communities for kitchen
garden and to develop greenery in local parks and common areas, and the surplus
compost is marketed. Households, who are members of the respective Mohalla committees (MCs), pay a service charge for waste management—based on the polluter
pays principle. The waste collectors are attached and supervised by the respective
MC for SWM work in their area and paid a monthly remuneration from the collected
user fee. Surplus amount is retained with the committee for other developmental
activities in the area like cleaning of street, drain and park and plantations.
Mohalla Committee plays active role in mobilizing households to adopt source
segregation and home composting. The waste collectors/rag pickers also own the
recyclables which further adds to their monthly income. Sustainability of the model is
driven through revenue generation including household levy for waste management,
sale of recyclables and compost. Both biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes
get managed such that there is minimal waste reaching landfill/dumps (Table 1).
A. K. Yadav and S. Dash
The SWM intervention in Shivalik Nagar was initiated through Exnora Green Pammal (EGP), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in partnership with Nagar
Panchayat in June 2016. The waste collection activities commenced in October 2016
and with focus on the formation of Mohalla Committees (MC) with about 150–200
households clustered together in each area for decentralized self-management of
waste. Each household contributes a fee towards waste management services, and
the funds so collected are kept in a separate account to pay the waste collector, and
use the surplus if any, for beautification of the local area. The intervention strongly
focuses on behaviour change through information, education and communication
(IEC) activity to drive source segregation of waste at household level as well as to
inculcate hygienic habits. Till date, 116 awareness programmes have been conducted
in which 5506 community members have participated. Whilst ensuring source segregation at household level, decentralized model of composting is emphasized and
discussed with community members for adoption so as to reduce the load at the
centralized waste processing unit and also minimize transportation and other associated costs. Sustainability of a cluster area is observed after hand-holding support
by project team for 4–5 months as the MC starts managing the waste collectors
and learns to mobilize households for source segregation and decentralized composting. Two decentralized waste management models were promoted, i.e. ‘home
composting’ and ‘cluster composting’ depending on the availability of space and
acceptance.
The waste collectors who are from marginalized sections of the society are the
prime drivers of the project and are responsible for door to door waste collection and
management of the waste. They also own the recyclable waste which they collect
from the households (Fig. 1).
At the start of the project, the biodegradable component of the waste is composted
at a centralized site through vermicomposting/windrow composting methods. Subsequently, with strong IEC efforts, an approach of ‘My Waste, My Responsibility’
decentralized management of biodegradable waste through home composting and
cluster level bio-composters is encouraged to minimize costs, multiple handling and
associated environmental impacts.
The compost generated is used by the households and communities for kitchen
garden and to develop greenery in local parks and common areas, and the surplus
compost is marketed. Households, who are members of the respective Mohalla committees (MCs), pay a service charge for waste management—based on the polluter
pays principle. The waste collectors are attached and supervised by the respective
MC for SWM work in their area and paid a monthly remuneration from the collected
user fee. Surplus amount is retained with the committee for other developmental
activities in the area like cleaning of street, drain and park and plantations.
Mohalla Committee plays active role in mobilizing households to adopt source
segregation and home composting. The waste collectors/rag pickers also own the
recyclables which further adds to their monthly income. Sustainability of the model is
driven through revenue generation including household levy for waste management,
sale of recyclables and compost. Both biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes
get managed such that there is minimal waste reaching landfill/dumps (Table 1).