The annual general body meeting at a gated community in Perungudi turned out to be stormier than expected. None of the resolutions was passed without a prolonged debate — except for one. Without as much as a squeak, almost everyone agreed that the community should invest in a composting. And, on this unusually “stormy” day, it was surprisingly smooth sailing for this resolution.

A letter by the Corporation, displayed on a projector-screen earlier, had done the trick. It dwelt on a Corporation mandate that apartment complexes generating over 100 kilos of waste had to manage their waste on their premises.

After the presentation, a member of Doshi Etopia-II Residential Flat Owners’ Association, cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention.

“I hope we are all for a resolution to set up a compost unit to process wet waste at our complex,” he said.

The hall seemed to fill up with raised hands.

Whether this gated community, which has over 200 apartments, ratifies this resolution in the next few months or takes longer to do so, is beside the point.

What is significant here is that residents’ welfare associations and voluntary organisations can play an aggressive role in taking forward Corporation’s objectives in waste management.

They can point out to residents in unequivocal terms what ought to be done and what ought not to be, as spelt out by the Corporation. In this sense, these associations serve as an effective interpreter and mediator to the Corporation.

On its part, the Corporation has been conducting door-to-door campaigns at colonies and gated communities to create awareness about better waste management practices, especially after October 2 when it made source segregation mandatory.

“We are focusing on setting up more compost plants; in some divisions, finding the space to carry out this initiative is a challenge. We have identified 11 places where facilities to process biodegradable waste can come up. Compost plants are ready in Zone XI. In Zone XII, a plant is under construction and a mechanised composting machine has been installed in Zone XV,” says S. Gopala Sundara Raj, Regional Deputy Commissioner (South), Greater Chennai Corporation. It may be noted that the Corporation has no immediate plans to slap a fine on those who don’t follow the rules. Given this lenient position, it needs the help of residents’ welfare associations to keep drumming up the message.

Community initiatives:

* Two months ago, Vishranthi Coconut Grove Residents Association, a 60-unit community in Tansi Nagar, Velachery, pooled in ₹750 each from every resident to invest in two composting pots, each having a capacity of 600 litres. “Once you pay for something, you want to see what is being done, so we had a majority of residents who were ready to pay for community green bins. Also, many realised this was cheaper and less of a hassle than maintaining a khamba pot at home,” says Priya Shankar, president of the Association, adding that they get help from a vendor who monitors the whole process.

The Association expects residents to segregate.

“At least 90 % of the residents are segregating waste and witnessing the benefits of doing so,” says Priya.

* When it comes to environment-friendly practices, Ceebros Boulevard Flat Owners Association (CBFOA) in Thoraipakkam has been raising its bar regularly. Their latest initiative — Green Spaces — is inspired from the do-it-yourself (DIY) concept from the west.

Here, residents are required to take their bins to the Green Spaces, where eight to nine bins are placed, and dispose waste on their own. “Cleanliness is a big issue if the bins are not cleared at the correct time from the corridors. Also, finding labour and educating them is a challenge,” says a resident. The gated community with over 300 flats currently has 80-100 residents practising DIY.

* After a resolution was passed at the annual general body meeting of Ceebros Orchid in Velachery to start segregation of waste at source, the Association distributed segregation kits. The kit, consisting of two bins and one bag, was distributed to each of the 192 flats at the apartment complex.

A nominal amount was charged for the kit. “Currently, only 60 families follow the practice regularly. We hope to convert the rest by meeting them in person and explaining to them the benefits of environment-friendly practices,” says Swaminathan, a resident of the Ceebros Orchid.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Liffy Thomas / December 08th, 2017