Chennai's decentralised waste revolution: A community-driven solution
WATER & WASTE

Chennai's decentralised waste revolution: A community-driven solution

Chennai has long grappled with the daunting task of effectively managing its waste amidst significant challenges. The city's rapid population growth, urban expansion, and increased industrialisation have led to a substantial surge in daily waste generation.

In response to these challenges, Chennai embarked on a transformative journey to revamp its waste management strategies. One of the key initiatives was the shift from the traditional tipping fee model to a decentralised waste management approach. Central to this transformation is the widespread adoption of Battery-Operated Vehicles (BOVs), eco-friendly vehicles that have become a common sight in both residential and commercial areas, playing a vital role in waste collection.

This innovative system emphasises the importance of source segregation, urging residents to categorise waste into three main types: wet waste, dry waste, and domestic hazardous waste. These segregated waste streams find their way to Micro Composting Centres (MCCs) and Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), while the remaining waste is either incinerated or sent to landfills. The primary goal of this approach is to significantly reduce the amount of waste reaching the landfills in Perungudi and Kodungaiyur.

Two concessionaires, Urbaser Sumeet and Ramky Enviro, have taken charge of collecting segregated waste in south and north Chennai respectively. Additionally, the Greater Chennai Corporation oversees waste management in three zones, actively participating in this decentralised system.

Crucially, community participation forms the backbone of this decentralised approach. Raising awareness about source segregation and ensuring that different types of waste reach the appropriate facilities remain ongoing challenges in this initiative.

Chennai has long grappled with the daunting task of effectively managing its waste amidst significant challenges. The city's rapid population growth, urban expansion, and increased industrialisation have led to a substantial surge in daily waste generation. In response to these challenges, Chennai embarked on a transformative journey to revamp its waste management strategies. One of the key initiatives was the shift from the traditional tipping fee model to a decentralised waste management approach. Central to this transformation is the widespread adoption of Battery-Operated Vehicles (BOVs), eco-friendly vehicles that have become a common sight in both residential and commercial areas, playing a vital role in waste collection. This innovative system emphasises the importance of source segregation, urging residents to categorise waste into three main types: wet waste, dry waste, and domestic hazardous waste. These segregated waste streams find their way to Micro Composting Centres (MCCs) and Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), while the remaining waste is either incinerated or sent to landfills. The primary goal of this approach is to significantly reduce the amount of waste reaching the landfills in Perungudi and Kodungaiyur. Two concessionaires, Urbaser Sumeet and Ramky Enviro, have taken charge of collecting segregated waste in south and north Chennai respectively. Additionally, the Greater Chennai Corporation oversees waste management in three zones, actively participating in this decentralised system. Crucially, community participation forms the backbone of this decentralised approach. Raising awareness about source segregation and ensuring that different types of waste reach the appropriate facilities remain ongoing challenges in this initiative.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

CRCL, IIT Delhi Sign MoU to Boost Science and Ease of Business

The Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) toward trade facilitation and improving the ease of doing business. This MoU collaboration aims to foster R&D, innovation, and scientific excellence at CRCL, bolstering trade facilitation and regulatory efficiency.The MoU was signed by Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi, and Shri V. Suresh, Director, CRCL, in presence of Shri Surjit Bhujabal, Speci..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

CAQM Sub-Committee Activates 27-Point Plan to Improve NCR Air Quality

The daily average AQI of Delhi has been hovering marginally above 200 threshold with forecast of slight improvement since last two days. Today, Delhi’s daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 213 (‘Poor’ category), as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), owing to variable winds. In wake of the average/ overall air quality of Delhi recording ‘Poor’ air quality category ranging between 201-300, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP met today to take stock of the current air quality scenario of Delhi-NCR. While comprehensively reviewing the a..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

DoT Launches Financial Fraud Risk Indicator to Boost Cybersecurity

In a major step towards combating cyber fraud and financial crime, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced sharing of “Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)” with stakeholders- an output from a multi- dimensional analytical tool developed as part of the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to empower financial institutions with advance actionable intelligence for cyber fraud prevention. This will enhance cyber protection and validation checks in case of mobile numbers flagged with this tool when digital payment is proposed to be made to such numbers.What is the “Financial ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?