Big bin: Tackle the trash

Big bin: Tackle the trash
Tuesday June 3 2008 00:00 IST Express Features KOCHI

WITH the introduction of the bylaw on garbage, most Kochiites heaved a sign of relief.

However, unlike many issues where the authorities have more responsibility than the citizens, waste management is an issue that has to start at home.

While the Corporation has finally got its act together by bringing out the bylaw, it remains to be seen whether the law will translate into reality.

Waste management is an easily organised task if done systematically.

The Corporation’s new rules state very clearly that you’ve got to segregate waste, otherwise Corporation workers will not collect it. You can start by using two buckets- one a green one normally supplied by the Corporation and the other a white one which is used to contain all non-biodegradable waste.

Non-biodegradable waste includes all paper items, plastic containers, kits, toys, pencil sharpenings, juice packets, pet bottles, diapers, napkins and the like.

Biodegradable waste includes kitchen food waste, vegetable and fruits peels, plants, grass and weeds. Use a newspaper at the bottom so that the bucket will remain clean and the person collecting the waste can easily clean the bucket off the residue.

The non-biodegradable waste can be further segregated into: a) Recyclable waste: Plastics, paper, glass, metal, etc. b) Toxic waste: Old medicines, paints, chemicals, bulbs, spray cans, fertiliser and pesticide containers, batteries, shoe polish. c) Soiled waste: Hospital waste such as cloth soiled with blood and other body fluids.

(Toxic and soiled waste must be disposed of with utmost care.) Certain things can be kept aside to be sold to the man who buys old items. These items include newspapers, used bottles, magazines, carry bags, old exercise books, oilcans, etc. This is one form of segregation which can be done as a routine.

In fact, much of the household waste can be separated daily into different bags for different categories of waste such as wet and dry waste which should be disposed of separately.

Dry waste consisting of cans, aluminium foils, plastic, metal, glass, and paper can be recycled. One should also keep a bin for toxic waste. Wet waste which consists of leftover foodstuff and vegetables can also be put in a compost pit and the compost can be used as manure in the garden.