The garbage bin is going to come back to the street corners. The new ones will be segregated, like in Delhi, one for wet waste and one for dry. They will also be movable, so that they don’t become stinking eyesores like the old concrete ones.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) plan is to encourage segregation of garbage and also prevent littering. The cabinet had given nod to a penalty clause where littering can attract a `100 penalty for the first time and `200 for the subsequent time.

BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana told Express: “Availability of dustbins at public places will reduce littering. To begin with, we are focusing on dustbins in commercial areas where littering is more.”

Lakshminarayana said they are requesting traders in commercial areas to keep two types of dustbins inside their shop as well as outside.

“Ideally every shop should have dustbins outside their shops. However, with space unavailability, we now keeping dustbins at every 100 meters. People can use these bins to throw the pamphlets, bills and even disposal cups and papers which they normally tend to throw on roads,” he said.

The commissioner said that they are looking for sponsors who can help BBMP in keeping dustbins in public places.

“At MG Road and Brigade Road, the traders association has come forward to give dustbins. Each dustbins is 3 feet high. Our pourakarmikas, who collects waste from these places, will also clear these bins once or twice a day, depending on the requirement,” he said. He urged traders from other roads and commercial areas to join hands in the initiative.

Two bins are planned at bus shelters. “People tend to throw bus tickets near bus shelters. We are seeking advertisers help or any other sponsors to donate bins,” he said.

At present, many of the bus stations including Kempegowda bus station, BMTC’s TTMCs including the one at Vijayanagar have dustbins, one for dry and another for wet waste. Bins are planned at other public places also, including parks.

The Corporation has finally decided to implement Rs 43-lakh  Zero-Waste Project for Fort Kochi.

Inaugurated in 2010, the authorities had met with severe criticism with   regard to the project as they were sitting on the the project even as garbage heaps were choking Fort Kochi.

However, the Corporation has invited tenders for the project aiming to  implement it as soon as possible. Tenders have been invited for computer, UPS, printer, tricycle, bin, chain saw, grass cutter, gum boots, rain coat, mask and other items needed to kickstart the project.

“We intend to implement the project within one month,” said Corporation health standing committee chairperson T K Ashraf.

Fort Kochi generates a huge amount of waste, including plastic. The zero-waste project is envisaged to settle the garbage menace in the area once and for all.

Implemented with the support of State Tourism Department and Kudumbasree workers, the project aims to segregate, collect and treat waste in the divisions 1 and 27 which includes the beach.

The authorities concerned said public participation will be ensured for the project along with the cooperation of health circles. The project will also explore possibilities to convert waste into a useful resource and thus add revenue for the Corporation. Domestic waste would be processed at houses using vermi-composting and aerobic composting, with the help of residents’ associations. Coconut shells would be collected and used for making handicraft and newspapers for making, said the authorities.

Thus, the authorities said rather than making a cosmetic surgery like many other waste management programs, the project promises to implant good sanitation habits directly into the minds of the people. Also, the scenic beauty of  a ‘Zero-Waste Fort Kochi’ will be beneficial for the city from a tourism point of view.

Town Planning committee chairman K J Sohan said the project will be model one as it involves decentralising waste management.

“This project is essentially about decentralising waste processing, Instead of waiting for the waste to be carried to huge treatment plants, people will realise that it can actually be processed at their houses. It may also turn out as a reply to the crisis at high level plants like Brahmapuram,” said K J Sohan.