Compost units non-existent in gated communities
The Hindu
While some have introduced waste segregation at source, for a large number, it is an alien concept
Proliferation of gated communities and residential townships across the city vouch for the city’s potential as flourishing real estate destination.
What is lacking is the civic body’s resolve in implementation of solid waste management rules with regard to the group housing projects.
Six years after the Solid Waste Management Rules are framed, and four years after the Telangana State government announced its SWM Policy, no measures have been initiated to make the realtors and residential welfare societies fall in line.
As per the SWM Rules, all residential welfare associations and gated communities with an area bigger than 5,000 square metres should segregate waste at source, and hand over the recyclable material to either the authorised waste pickers/ recyclers/ urban local body.
Bio-degradable waste should be processed, treated and disposed of through composting or bio-methanation within the premises. Only residual waste, after all these processes are finished, is to be given to the waste collectors or agency.
Newly developing townships and group housing societies should develop in-house waste handling and process arrangements for bio-degradable waste.
The norms are rarely observed as visible from the ground level. Very few gated communities are equipped with compost units for treating the bio-degradable waste. While some have introduced segregation at source, for a large number, it is an alien concept.