SG KE TOI Proper waste disposal should be a priority

Source – Times of India

Proper waste disposal should be a priority

Pollution has an effect on human, animal and plant life, says Kala Raju

The large-scale production and improper disposal of waste has become a source of pollution and further accumulation of garbage has resulted in serious deterioration in quality of life and the ecological balance. Many diseases like cholera and gastroenteritis are rampant due to lack of proper collection and disposal of solid waste, unsanitary conditions and unsafe drinking water. An emphasis needs to be placed on the need for systematic waste management with cost effective methods.

“Migration of people to the cities for jobs has also resulted in higher waste generation. Today, lands are reclaimed, for residential and commercial purposes, which results in dumping the city’s garbage in eco-sensitive zones like mangroves, and no attempts are made by the residents to understand the composition of the garbage, the immediate and long-term effects like pollution of land and groundwater, staggering escalating costs of collection, transport and disposal of garbage,” says Ramanand Kowta, a member of the NGO, ‘Garbage Concern.’

Disposal of polythene in the open and burning them along with other waste is a common mistake while disposing garbage. The improper disposal of plastic leaves a devastating effect on the environment, apart from giving a dull and dreary look to the disposal site, as polythene is non biodegradable in nature.

Choking of drainage system with garbage is another major problem faced today. The drains usually get choked with polythene or domestic garbage. Disposal of domestic garbage in polythene has more chances of choking of drains. The foul smell emitted by accumulated garbage polluting the environment is also a major problem. The garbage thrown very near residential colonies (up to 100 metres) can emit foul smell particularly in summer and rainy season.

Kowta continues, “Adoption of waste recycling and reuse techniques are negligible, mostly due to drudgery involved in the work. Placement of community bins at appropriate distance from residential colonies to prevent foul smell emitted from the waste thrown in the open is a suggestible solution. The residents should consider segregation of waste before final disposal. Overburdening of homemakers with domestic responsibilities is normally a hindrance for segregation of wastes.”

Effective waste management should be undertaken at community level instead of at the domestic level. The organic wastes can be disposed in a pit or a container with earthworms to harvest vermicompost, which can be returned to replenish the land for gardening and other cultivation. Education for waste management to keep the environment sound and clean can be implemented.

Ramanand Kowta also opines, “The city has two arms – first are the citizens who produce garbage and the other, the authorities who manage the clearing of the garbage. The citizen blames the authorities for their slackness, while the authorities blame the reckless consumption and disposal habits of the citizens. It is high time that they settle their arguments and join hands to solve the issue.”