Insights on waste management

 

                                          Waste dumping 

Waste Management, sanitation and hygiene is a major concern in our country. The State of Kerala which has already achieved the target of a developed country through its improved GDP parameters, and indicates towards a developed State as a whole requires focus on urban slum development, sustainable habitation, climate resilient measures in all sectors, life style modification and management of newly emerging diseases. In its way towards achieving these, waste management and sanitation is one of the stumbling steps to be removed for paving the way.

In my public health endeavours, observing and understanding modified old techniques and using it in the most resourceful manner to achieve a goal of zero waste are the best specific solutions. Here, zero waste does not mean, there is complete nonexistence of waste ; it means to reduce Waste generation of all kinds and categories, at household level to as minimal as possible, so that at large scale, it becomes manageable and not be an environmental burden.

I have taken some measures and is working towards attaining the above mentioned at the household level, about which I had posted in my blog titled " Going Eco and Green".

 Going eco and green ( click this link to read )

The recently organised programme on waste management by various organisations working in waste management sector and government programmes, showcased a wide range of sanitation and waste management options for the attendees, to know, understand and adopt obselete methods in its renewed form and also newer methods. Awareness to what we are facing and what is the next step gives us an insight on the way forward. This exhibition along with discussions on various related topics, was an eyeopener for a naive participant. But for those who are in search of targetted solutions and ideas beyond management, thinking towards sustainability and climate resilience, this was not the platform for their questions. 

 

Stalls exhibited various solutions, provided ideas and showcased existing system of waste management. But, more solutions, explanations and understanding should be provided to a literate community who has already achieved the basic targets and is moving towards seeking specific solutions. For example, E-waste management is something not mentioned and not managed properly ; Mixed waste like fast food parcels, is still not managed properly, old cloth and cloth waste has found its way somehow to getting managed, but is still a concern ; building construction and materials waste especially in urban areas remains mismanaged ; old vehicles, condemnation articles are still hoarded and becomes an environmental pollutant during the changing seasons.

An overview on the existing problems, disaggregating, attaching each to causes and solutions, is the need of the hour. People who work for this, people who have dedicated researching about it and people who experienced hurdles are those who should be brought forward to manage, provide technical answers and give sustainable solutions. Moreover, one sector alone towing the burden and pollution caused to the environment would not get us anywhere near proper management and sustainable solutions. Intersectoral coordination and realising the importance of waste management from household to sectoral level will provide more creative, innovative and practical solutions for the community.