WASTE MINIMIZATION THROUGH SEGREGATION
Seminar on ‘Waste Minimization Through Segregation At Source’ was held on 01st October, 2004 organized by National Solid Waste Association of India (NSWAI) in association with Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and P.G. Department of Family Resource Management, SNDT Women’s University at Juhu Campus.
The response to this seminar was over whelming. A large group of participants included eminent speakers from functionary bodies, experts from different NGO’s, ALMgroups, academicians and students who made the seminar interesting and action oriented.
The seminar was inaugurated by lighting of lamp and a welcome address by Dr. M. C. Badarinarayana, President-NSWAI. The introductory speech was given by Mr. R. K. Garg Emeritus President-NSWAI who covered characteristics of waste and the worldwide factors influencing source segregation. It was followed by the keynote address of Dr. (Mrs.) Indrani Chandrasekharan, Director (EI) Ministry of Environment & Forest, New Delhi, which was read by Dr. A. K. Sahu, Vice-President NSWAI. Then Mr. A. K. Jain, IAS & Sr. Advisor SWM, AIILSG spoke on Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management and Policy Issues. He stressed upon aspects like traditional SWM, MSWM rules 2000, cost implications, community involvement and capacity building among municipal functionaries, citizens and other stakeholders.
Dr. Shyam Asolekar, Prof. CESE IIT Mumbai, chaired the Technical Session I. During the session Mr. P.P.Nandusekar, Principal Scientific officer Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) presented on behalf of Dr. D.B. Boralkar Member Secretary MPCB. He spoke on the impact of solid waste and the initiatives needed to be taken. Mr. R.R. Markandeya Chief Engineer Solid Waste Management Cell MCGM who was the next speaker explained the benefits of segregation, present trend of segregation, necessity of enhancing segregation agencies for segregation and economics of segregation. He was followed by Dr. Rakesh Kumar Sr. Asst. Director & Head National Environmental Engineering Research Institute Mumbai Zonal Centre. Dr. Rakesh presented innovative techniques in segregation one of which was the designing of household dustbin–cum–compost bin. Then Dr. Sujata Phadke, Reader & Head of Family Resource Management emphasised on waste prevention aspect by proposing 5 R’s of waste minimisation such as Reject, Reuse, Recycle, Reduce & Replace.
The Technical Session II was chaired by Mrs. Jyoti Pandya, Chief development officer, Below Poverty Line, MCGM. During the session there were presentations of good practices and case studies from various NGOs, like Mr. Ashok Datar from Makarand Society an ALM from Mahim, Dr. Rajan Gupte from Parisar, Mahim, Mrs. Jyoti Mhapsekar from Stree Mukti Sanghatana and also Mrs. Jyoti Pandya. These NGOs shared their experiences, problems and achievements.
This technical session was followed by panel discussion wherein the participants’ gave valuable suggestions and remarks on the theme of the seminar. The out come of the Seminar was focussed on aspects like need for waste reduction & importance of segregation at source and it was highlighted on the involvement of community and every individual for waste minimisation for better quality of life and healthy environment. It was also suggested to have well designed community bins for segregation of waste to dry and wet and further dry waste to different categories depending upon the inventory of waste in the locality.
The seminar concluded by vote of thanks by Mr. R. Bhattacharya, General Secretary, NSWAI.
