Effective Waste Management in Apartment

The production of waste in households is a global environmental concern. The issue of garbage collection has been a nightmare in a country like India with a population of over a billion people. More the population more is the waste output. It is common to see garbage strewn on the streets, causing serious health hazards for the common people. Meanwhile rag pickers and stray dogs were also known to create a mess on the roads.

Domestic waste collection services are often provided by local government authorities or by private companies in the industry. However, due to lack of technical know-how, human resource and other issues, Municipalities have been facing tremendous challenge in planning, developing and managing Solid Waste Management (SWM).

Waste Management in Apartment

A system of throwing garbage on the streets by citizens and local bodies collecting the waste from the streets and disposing it of in the most unhygienic manner is in vogue. The root of the problems lies in the attitude of both the authorities and the residents. We should ensure that the waste is recycled in a way that is both cost-effective and friendly to the environment. There are various stages of the waste management and recycling such as monitoring the waste, collecting the waste, Transporting the waste to proper waste management facility, Processing or recycling and Disposal of un-recyclable waste.

Responsibilities of Residents in effective Waste Management

It is responsibility for all of us to engage in proper and effective management of waste products and their recycling or disposal. Solid waste management practices can never reach the desired level of efficiency until the public participates and discharges its obligation religiously. Following are some duties or responsibilities of residents of apartment community in effective Solid Waste Management (SWM) System.

• Segregation of waste is important factor to manage waste properly. Make a habit of dropping things or wastes in separate containers or bins. Choose different colors to put dry waste in one bin and wet waste such as dump vegetable and fruit peels or leftover foods, coffee and tea waste, garden waste and dry leaves in another bin.

• Lack of volunteers is one of the main constraints for the failure. Volunteer in waste management and encourage residents in  supporting waste management at least in your locality. The volunteer will assist in the development of an integrated solid waste management plan and work with provincial association to encourage residents and locals to support and participate in waste management activities.

• When it comes to the problem in door-to-door collection, local bodies quickly point fingers at the public. However, sensitized and responsive residents are mortified to see the workers mixing the waste that were segregated at home. In order to encourage waste minimization, re-use, recycling, and composting, awareness and education about waste and recycling is vital for residents and garbage collectors.

• Community bins may be provided for the storage of recyclable waste where door to door collection of recyclable waste is not practiced. Make adequate provision for closed containers for the deposition of domestic hazardous/toxic waste material.

• The three ways to eliminate or stop generating the waste are Reduce, Re-use & Recycle. Reduce – Buy less and use less, Reuse – elements of the discarded item are used again, Recycle – discards are separated into materials that may be incorporated into new products. It is one of the effective method to control waste and mange them.

• It shall be incumbent on the management of Co-operative Societies, Associations of residents, to arrange for daily cleaning of their internal streets, common spaces, etc.

• You can also create awareness to your neighbors, garbage collectors and garbage contractors. Government can also support the initiatives by introducing some schemes like two separate waste collecting vehicles, one for dry waste and other for wet waste.

• Apartment owners association or Residents Welfare Association can seek help from professional or non-profit organization in the field of Solid Waste Management for effective waste management.

Waste is a problem but waste management is the solution. Solid waste management practices can never reach the desired level of efficiency until the public participates and discharges its obligation religiously. Education and awareness in the area of waste and waste management is increasingly important from a global perspective of resource management. Segregation of waste into dry and wet is first and effective method of waste management. The root of the problems lies in the attitude of both the authorities and the residents. It is responsibility for all of us to engage in proper and effective waste management. We as citizen should wake up & support waste management at least in our locality.