Solid waste management refers to the supervised handling of waste material from generation at the source through the recovery processes to disposal. It is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste and make the environment we live in cleaner and greener. Waste generated in the city is generally dumped in open landfills, making it a breeding ground for various disease-spreading insects. This waste further pollutes the water we drink and air we breathe.
In Mumbai, over 8500 tons of waste reach the landfills every day and an estimated 1500 tons is uncollected, polluting our immediate neighborhoods. We as households can help reduce this excessive amount of waste generation. The only need is to segregate the waste. It is an easy and inexpensive way. All we need to do is ensure that we have 3 different bins at home – one for wet waste which includes all our food related waste like leftover food and the fruit and vegetable peels; one for dry waste which includes all the plastic and paper related waste which can be recycled or reused.; and lastly all the medical waste like sanitary napkins and diapers. This simple process or I’d rather term it as ‘awareness’ can not only curb the waste generated but also serve as a medium of increasing incomes for the garbage collectors or the sweepers.
Furthermore, the wet waste can be used to make manure in the house and supplement a small kitchen garden which can grow the fruits and vegetables for everyday use. Households which have already undertaken this are growing capsicum, oregano, lemon grass and a lot other plants. Everyday incidents of vegetables and fruits being harmful due to the use of various pesticides and insecticides are reported. In such a scenario, home grown food can be much better qualitatively.
On a daily basis we complain about the lack of cleanliness around us, then why not take steps to address our own problems . Solid Waste Management is a highly effective yet inexpensive and easy way to curb waste and make the areas around us more habitable; to make our environment much more greener.
Lets all come together and make our households and our societies GREEN SOCIETIES.
Thank you,
-Aastha Bafna
