‘Poor response from bulk waste generators’

The civic body has released the list of seven service providers. Six of them would provide biodegradable wet waste processing service for onsite home composting of solid waste. The other one has been empanelled for dry waste recycling.

The civic body had empanelled 26 service providers for wet waste processing and 15 for dry waste recycling. These service providers, which are non-governmental organisations and private firms, are being appointed, as the solid waste management rules mandates all the bulk waste generators that have more than 100 kg of solid waste per day to process their waste within their premises. Bulk waste generators are mostly residential welfare associations, gated communities, institutions, restaurants and commercial complexes. Owners of premises extending above 5,000 sqm are also considered bulk waste generators. “The residents may utilise the solid waste recycling services, thereby reducing the waste going to landfill sites on payment basis,” the Corporation said while releasing the list.

According to an official, there are 3,125 bulk waste generators in Chennai. However, only around 250 of them are composting their waste in their premises. The civic body had selected the service providers by floating an expression of interest (EoI) inviting them. Representatives from the already empanelled private firms said that the response from bulk waste generators was low, and requested the civic body to create awareness about the arrangement. The civic body collects around 5,200 tonnes of garbage every day, half of which is biodegradable waste.

The civic body maintains 6,478 wet waste processing plants at 2,382 locations with a capacity of 1,127 tonnes every day. However, it is able to process 495 tonnes a day at the plants.