Let’s solve garbage problem!

Garbage disposal is a challenging task in all cities. This problem has been a major headache for all local governments. In some cities, it has taken a global form and caused great suffering not only to the authorities but also to the people.
Even though the municipal corporation administrations advise that the garbage be separated into two types, biodegradable and non-biodegradable, and given to the sanitation workers, many people do not pay any attention to it. Not even 5 percent of the residents follow it. Most people do not listen to what the sanitation workers say.
There is an increasing trend of throwing garbage in public places instead of handing it over to the sanitation workers who come from house to house. After the sanitation workers leave, they throw unsorted garbage on the roadside. Some people throw garbage on the roadside in prohibited plastic covers while going out on two-wheelers. Even people who travel in cars can be seen doing this in big cities.
The accumulation of garbage not only poses a health hazard to the area but also affects the groundwater. It also affects the health of the sanitation workers who handle the garbage in a segregated manner. The root cause of this problem is the garbage that is not segregated.
In this context, the Uttar Pradesh state government has announced that anyone throwing garbage or spitting in vehicles will be fined Rs. 1,000, and anyone dumping garbage in a public place will be fined Rs. 500.
To solve this problem, the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Corporation has gone a step further and introduced a new strategy. Even the main roads of the city look like garbage dumps. It has announced a reward of Rs. 250 for those who take a video of those throwing garbage on their mobile phones and send it through the ‘WhatsApp’ application. It has also been warned that if a person throwing garbage is found, a fine of Rs. 1,000 to 10,000 will be imposed on them. The concern shown by the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka in solid waste management is commendable.
Similarly, solid waste management projects are being implemented in Tamil Nadu as well. 16,563 tons of garbage is generated daily in Tamil Nadu. Of this, 7260 tons of garbage accumulates in landfills. The Tamil Nadu government has announced that the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan will be launched as a state-wide campaign.
Last year, the Chennai Municipal Corporation passed a resolution that a fine of Rs. 5,000 would be imposed for dumping garbage in public places and water bodies. The Coimbatore Municipal Corporation has also taken some steps to create awareness. However, garbage continues to accumulate on the roadsides.
In addition to taking legal action, it is also necessary to create serious awareness among the people about waste management. To monitor whether the garbage is being segregated and distributed, monitoring groups consisting of political parties, volunteers, men and women from all walks of life should be formed and taken seriously. Even one person per street can be included in the group.
We should continue this process without any fear of being fined. We should create a situation where garbage cannot be taken out of the house without being sorted.
However, this project can only be successfully implemented with the cooperation of the public, especially mothers. A solution will only be found if the government administration and the public work together. Is this an impossible task?
Let’s commit to separating biodegradable and non-biodegradable garbage and handing it over to sanitation workers!