The Hindu 17.02.2014
Evolve long-term strategy to segregate waste at doorsteps: Forum
The solid waste management will be more effective in
longer run only if the City Municipal Corporation effectively implements
the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 that prevent
from using plastic carry bags and plastic items less than 40 microns in
thickness in the city, members of the Salem Citizens Forum said here
recently.
Addressing reporters, its convener Piyush
Manush said that non-functioning of the private solid waste treatment
plant at Chettichavadi had led to dumping of garbage in the inert pit
resulting in the depletion and pollution of ground water in the area. He
called upon the corporation and the district administration to evolve a
long-term strategy, including implementing the plastic waste management
rules, creating awareness among the people to segregate waste at their
doorsteps itself. The organic waste accounts for one-third of the total
waste generated everyday. Bio gas units, paper cycling plants should be
setup by small entrepreneurs so that the corporation could earn revenue
by selling waste, he added.
He also wanted
prohibition of building debris and bio medical waste dumped on roadsides
and instead a tractor operator could be assigned the job and collect
the fee from the owners respectively. Also, the 1,200 sanitary workers
should be empowered to fine the violators if waste is dumped on
roadsides, the convener said.
Raising his voice
against the corporation’s move to establish an inert pit near the
company at a cost of Rs. 70 lakh, the environmentalist said that the
proposed pit comes near the forest land that violates rules and said
inert pit is only to dump processed waste.
