Salem Corpn. begins educating residents on waste segregation

As part of effectively implementing the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the Corporation has begun educating the residents on the need to segregate bio-degradable and non-degradable waste at the source.

The new rules mandate segregating waste into three categories, wet (bio-degradable), dry (plastic, paper, metal) and hazardous waste (mosquito repellents, diapers) while fine is also collected for dumping waste in the open places. Also, it mandates segregation of wastes generated in households and commercial establishments at the source point. Of the 60 wards in the corporation limits, over 350 tonnes of municipal solid wastes are generated everyday. However, currently segregation is not done at the source now.

In phase I, the corporation has begun educating the residents in 11 wards in the four zones, Suramangalam Zone – Wards 3 and 26, Hasthampatti Zone – Wards 6 and 31, Ammapet Zone – Wards 11, 41 and 42 and Kondalampatti Zone – 54 and 46.

Officials said that awareness pamphlets are distributed to all the residents in these wards that explain dumping of degradable waste in green colour bins and dumping of non-degradable waste in blue colour bins. They added that all the residents would be educated and would be asked to segregate the waste and handover to the conservancy workers. “Residents would be barred from duping waste in dustbins and they should handover the waste to the workers only,” they added.

Officials added that building debris should not be dumped on roads and the corporation should be informed of it so that it will be collected by the civic body vehicles. “The rule had come into effect from June 5 that paves way for imposing fines. However, all the residents would be educated before enforcing the rules,” they added.