78% Delhiites dump garbage on road, 17% have no access to bins

WASTE MANAGEMENT Govtngos’ report shows majority of residents segregate waste to sell it to scrap dealers

NEW DELHI: About 78% Delhiites dump garbage on the roadside or in open plots in their neighbourhoods and 17% claim to have no access to a community dump or dhalao in north Delhi, a survey co-researched by Chintan, the Delhi environment department and German NGO GIZ has revealed.

The report, Making Delhi Swachh: Participatory Solid Waste Management Policy for Delhi, has taken feedback from over 3,000 residents across the east, south, north and New Delhi municipal areas beginning 2013.

“Nearly 76% Delhiites wrongly believe that glass and metal are biodegradable (97% in East Delhi). In other words, people need a lot more education on this. Only 44% of respondents pay for doorstep waste collection. For virtually every household (99%), waste is collected at least twice weekly. These were some of the shocking discoveries of the report,” Chitra Mukherjee of the Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group said.

Of the total garbage generated in the city, about 9,100 metric tonnes, 50% is fit for composting and 30% is recyclable. Only 20% should reach the landfills. After sending 4,500 tonnes to waste-toenergy plant for incineration and 850 metric tonnes for composting, at least 3,800 tonnes makes its way to t he city’s already exhausted dump sites in NarelaBawana, Bhalswa, Okhla and Ghazipur.

THE POSITIVES

Over 96% of residents segregate to sell waste to kabariwalas while 86% welcome separate storage and collection systems for dry and wet waste, even if they do not do this themselves as of now.

“Nearly 74% are ready to start segregation and may need a stronger nudge. While 90% believe that Delhi should reduce the amount of waste it generates, over 70% believe reusing is better than buying.

WAY FORWARD

Things can drastically change on the ground once the Solid & Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, notified in April last year, are enforced. The new bylaws sought to enforce collection and segregation of garbage at source, developing local segregation points, integration of informal sectors for segregation of waste and proper disposal.

“If the expectation is that Bharat will become Swachh because citizens will help make it so, then knowing what they think, feel, want and do is a first, important step. Bharat will be Swachh, however, only if authorities at all levels succeed in leveraging and balancing citizens’ viewpoint for better governance and service delivery,” Bharati Chaturvedi, director of Chintan, said.

“Putting up signs saying its important to segregate is not enough. People have to internalise this message,” Chaturvedi said.

(99% in New Delhi, 95% in East Delhi) want separate storage and collection of dry and wet waste

(over 90% in East Delhi and New Delhi Municipal Council area) are ready to start segregation

believe that Delhi should urgently reduce the amount of garbage it generates