Civic body engages waste pickers to recycle garbage

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 22

Pushing ahead with the solid waste management project, the MC has engaged garbage pickers to recycle the waste collected from households in four wards. The revenue generated by recyclable waste on day-to-day basis is being used as an incentive for these pickers, who ensure that the collection system functions without any glitch.

The MC’s pilot project on solid waste management covers four wards with everyday average collection of garbage up to 1.5 tonnes. Out of the total garbage collected, approx 20-25 kg of recyclable waste is collected everyday that is in turn given to the garbage pickers, who earn daily incentives through its re-sale. “We have a total of eight garbage pickers in each ward engaged with us to operate four collection vehicles. Each manages to earn daily incentive worth Rs 200 from re-selling of recyclable waste, which is mostly plastic bottles,” informed Ranjit Singh, Chief Sanitary Inspector, Ward No. 53.

Apart from dry and plastic waste that is recycled, the wet waste is also being used for composting as a recycling method. “The wet waste is sourced back into composting at the landfill site. We are using windrow method of composting as pit composting is not advisable during the monsoon. But we are also in the process of constructing compost pits once the rainy days are over,” said Komal Mittal, Additional Commisioner of the MC. She is the nodal officer assigned for the solid waste management (SWM) scheme.

In the current phase, the recyclable waste identified and collected primarily comprises plastic waste. “Since household waste has negligible quantity of iron or metal scraps, paper or fabric-based waste and tetra cartons, we are focused on plastic waste. Once we expand our operation to other wards and commercial areas, we might be able to generate more revenue through recycling,” said Ranjit Singh.