‘Fallen greenery can make a nice compost’

While Greater Chennai Corporation is trying to figure out ways to utilise the massive amount of green waste, there are simple steps that people can implement in their backyard or lawns to aid in the process. 

“The compost yards run by the Corporation are not enough to handle the mammoth amount of waste. People living in individual houses or even in apartments can collect the fallen leaves, dig a pit and bury it. You do not have to buy earthworms as the green waste will compost by itself and improve the quality of the soil. People can also add curd into the pits to quicken the process,” says Mohammed Dawood, Director, Business Development, Earth Recycler, who has helped build vermicomposting pits in many parts of the city. He further adds, “The best way to utilise green waste apart from composting is to spread it over playgrounds, parks and lawns. This will enrich the soil.” 

The excess green waste is a blessing in disguise for those who keep kitchen gardens. “I make my own manure for my garden. This is the perfect time for organic manure. You need to fill a drum with the fallen leaves and add spoilt kitchen waste, vermicompost and coir pith. Leave it for two months and the manure is ready,” says Jamila Mohamed Ahmed, an Alwarpet resident who grows a variety of fruits, veggies and herbs in her garden. Those who have access to neem trees can use the leaves, seeds and even the bark in many ways. 

“Every part of the neem plant is valuable. The bark and roots have medicinal properties. Powdered neem products can be used for pest control. Neem leaf paste can be used as face pack to control pimples,” says T Thangavelu, who helps people set up gardens and is an advocate of using neem.