The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has launched a 40-day door-to-door campaign across five zones in south Chennai to encourage households to segregate waste at source, targeting 50,000 households. The drive, titled Segregate Waste - Save Tomorrow, will see GCC officials and Urbaser Sumeet workers distribute dedicated bags for non-biodegradable waste and educate residents on daily handover of segregated refuse.

On the opening day, 5,000 households were reached, with 1,000 in each zone; the remaining 45,000 are scheduled to be covered over subsequent days. Officials said the emphasis is on biodegradable and non-biodegradable streams, which make up the bulk of household waste.

The campaign aligns with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and aims to promote segregation into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, sanitary and hazardous waste. GCC Commissioner GS Sameeran said households will be monitored during the 40-day campaign to help sustain the practice and that compliance will be assessed with penalties for non-compliance.

Officials said the household pilot follows efforts to improve segregation among bulk waste generators by appointing nodal officers and will be expanded to the city’s other two regions based on feedback. Regional Deputy Commissioner Aftab Rasool said households that consistently segregate will be recognised with awards and that the civic body will provide books to their children as incentives.

Of the 1,065 bulk waste generators in south Chennai, 615 have begun segregation; neither bulk generators nor households have been penalised so far. The campaign launched in Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Thiruvanmiyur, Perungudi and Sholinganallur will proceed through four stages — awareness, action, habit and sustained practice — before participation and collection efficiency are assessed.

Officials emphasised that behavioural change is central and that segregation should become part of every household’s daily routine. From September one, bulk waste generators will be required to segregate refuse before handing it over, with fines and enforcement measures for breaches, the commissioner said.