NGT directs Greater Chennai Corporation to explain closure of micro composting centres

NGT directs GCC to explain closure of composting centres, citing pollution concerns and need for sustainable waste management.

The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to submit a report explaining why it decided to shut down micro composting centres and material recovery facilities for waste segregation and recycling.

Hearing a suo motu case on the GCC closing its micro composting centres, the Bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanrayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, on Monday, asked the standing counsel for the civic body on the GCC’s plan to manage waste.

In February, the GCC announced its decision to close 168 micro composting centres and 88 material recovery facilities to segregate recyclable materials from wet waste. According to the GCC, the decision was made in response to complaints from the public over the unpleasant odour emanating from the centres.

“Waste is generated every day; it cannot be stopped. Now, what is this grand idea of closing down micro composting centres, when it is one step in source segregation?” asked Justice Sathyanarayana, expressing concern over the reliance on incinerators for waste management.

The Bench said waste incinerators released toxic gases and contributed to pollution, citing reports of emerging data from an operational plant in Delhi. Noting that incinerators exacerbate pollution rather than solve the waste issue, the Bench added: “The closure of micro composting centres is not a step towards sustainable waste management.”

The Bench ordered the GCC, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), and the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department to submit reports by March 27, explaining why the composting and recycling centres were closed, and what alternative measures are being taken to manage segregated waste according to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.