City lacks waste segregation infrastructure: Experts

“Marina and Elliot’s Beach are the perfect example of why waste segregation is key,” said Siddharth Hande, founder of Kabaddiwala Connect, a Chennai-based waste management company. “Segregation takes care of about 70 to 80 per cent of waste, namely compostable waste and recyclable plastics.”

Hande recommends an assessment of the waste types generated from public spaces. “The kinds of waste obtained from various public spaces differs. Once this assessment is done, the government can set about to provide the appropriate infrastructure,” he said. However, Hande points out that there is a lack of available infrastructure in public spaces which furthers the problem.

According to Bala Subramaniam, a member of the Thiruveedhi Amman Koil Street Resident’s Association, the recent establishment of a materials recovery facility at RK Nagar OSR Park was well-received by the community. “Many complained that they did not have access to segregation bins. But once this was established, people began changing their habits. This change is essential for the public to be roped into the segregation,” he said.

However, effective implementation must have a multi-industry backing, said Hande. “The government, along with business stakeholders, could set up appropriate infrastructure. Implementation of a spot fine system might also be effective,” he said.