Midweek Musings 23 13.05.26
Incentivising waste segregation should work
By Malini Shankar
Given Indians’ abysmal record for conscientious
public spiritedness and a clear absence of civic duty, perhaps a financial
incentive will make it viable for effective solid waste management. It also
addresses the need of some incentive driven fiscal formula for rag pickers –
the original waste segregators. But it also helps – nay, is necessary, - for
effective waste management.
Just imagine if civic authorities / Pourakarmikas
can pick up segregated wastes… and deliver peat or composted wastes to the
public gardens and parks where the greenery serves as lung spaces for present
and future generations. Just decomposed leaf litter has a high calorific value –
for example.
However it remains inalienable that waste material
have to be segregated. Equally of critical significance is a waste management
legislation and enforceable guidelines. Legislation should be backed up with
infrastructure supply chains and logistics.
Separating packaging wares helps feed the
recycling industry, it provides for jobs while reducing wastes. But policy must
define packaging wares – above 60 microns plastic packaging wares, distinctly
reduces littering of packaging wares. These should be collected separately (yes
at source); processed at a designated facility and marketed / resold at a differential
tariff. For this policy guidelines has to be enforced.
Separating organic / biodegradable / peat or
wet wastes (as it is called in India) gives a high calorific value which not
only reduces waste litter, but reduces Carbon in the soil, mitigating Climate
Change. There are many ways of treating and disposing biodegrable / organic /
wet wastes.
Fruit and vegetable peels, perishable
commodities like dairy waste, fisheries wastes etc can be pulverized like in United
States of America, and Canada, or collected in pits in Europe; farm animals, and
livestock can consume some of the biodegradable wastes. Composting “Corporations”
set by power of legislation in India lay waste themselves. … Largely because of
non-cooperative citizenry and lack of enforcement as well slack of
infrastructure logistical support and supply chains.
Packaging material of all fast moving consumer
goods have to be biodegradable and recyclable. No compromise: needs to be
enforced by authorities. This should start with polyfibre manufacturers and
petroleum companies. Banning manufacture of < 20 micron plastics has been
such a huge challenge for successive governments even Modi Government which is
in a comforting relationship with captains of industry like Adani and Ambani.
Bottle and glass-wares need to be separately
collected at source or at street corners. Newspapers / flyers and other printed
material are collected separately in advanced economies of Europe.
Toilet wastes have to be minimal and incinerated.
Toilet wastes must include used sanitary
towels (packaged and earmarked clearly), used condoms, panty liners diapers
used tissues, have to be collected separately and incinerated with biomedical
wastes in emission controlled, GHG friendly incinerators.
Hospital generated biomedical wastes and veterinary
wastes also need special attention for separation of wastes. Fiscal incentives
may likely help in the present circumstances where the citizenry lacks
conscientiousness and a sense of civic duty. If fiscal incentives also fail
then its time to penalize by way of legislation. Criminalise lack of separation
of wastes. That will be far better than throwing unsegregated waste at the doorstep
of the wrong doer. Such deeds are only reactionary acts hinging on emotion and
will not last long.
Agencies / committed individuals and NGOs have
to be placed in charge of collection of separated wastes. Their work needs to
be monetised and fiscally incentivized for effective Solid Waste Management. Obviously
Pourakarmikas’ role has not been very effective so far. Not to undermine the
role of Pourakarmikas, they are the ones who sweep the roads and clear leaf
litter and maintain the roads and footpaths / pavements. Pourakarmikas define civility
and civic society.
Time for the citizens to learn civility.
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