Segregation at Source
Segregation at Source is about an easy DIY (Do-It-Yourself) model which can be adapted whether it’s a single home, apartment or a community for achieving visible, color coded segregation of waste. The undeniable importance of segregation at source was understood early on. All SWM processes are built on the basic premise of achieving segregation at source.
Carrying out a rapid assessment of every campus, every home, school, hotel, office, public events that our members visit, is not only a matter of habit, but also helps to understand the existing practices and operational requirements for improvement.
This is one of the hallmarks that has helped to understand the variations, evolve a standardized system called 2bin1bag, that is applicable to all.
What is it?
Not only is segregation important, it is also important that it is done at source. Segregation of waste is the process of keeping different types of waste separate based on their composition and their perishability . ‘At source’ refers to the point where the waste is generated in the domestic context it is the home unit, in the commercial setting it is the shop , hotel , club or wedding hall etc in the institutional context it is the campus or at a public place or event
The MSW Rules 2000 laid out that Municipalities needed to ‘collect, segregate, transport and dispose’ (note the word segregate comes after the word collect). This was creating a road block in contracts and hindering implementation to waste stream management.
The focus was therefore to shift from ‘segregation’ to ‘segregation at source’ in all legal statutes , which was rectified in the SWM Rules 2016 and more importantly laid out the sequential requirement as ‘segregation at source, collection , transportation and processing’ (note the term segregation at source comes before the word collection).
para from the SWM Rules 2016
The onus of segregation is therefore placed squarely on the waste generator. SWM Rules 2016 … now clearly indicates it is the duty of the generator to Segregate at Source and handover the waste.
Why is it important?
Most people are used to dumping all waste into a common bin and are mostly unaware that this mixed waste which is dumped or burnt is the cause of dangers to public health and at the root of air and water pollution :
Informing people what happens when Segregation at Source does not happen and we send mixed waste out of our homes is an all important starting point to any intervention around achieving Waste Management, be it at the individual or community level or be it at the city level.
Describe your image
Describe your image
How to achieve it ?
It was important to show that Segregation at Source can be achieved. Segregation at source was attempted in varying scales, sizes and types to ensure that its practical and scalable.
CREATE CONVENIENCE AND EASE OF ADOPTION
We have tried different models which have evolved over the years and the 2bin1bag has won hands down as a very convenient method.
Visit our website www.2bin1bag.in for all the info on how to easily adopt segregation at source
CHANGE SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR THROUGH LOCAL CHAMPIONS
We found where citizens volunteers took the initiative, the community was engaged and able to adopt segregation at source quickly and effectively. These volunteers have been the champions of change.
MAKE IT CITIZEN RESPONSIBILITY BY MANDATING IN THROUGH LAW
After demonstrating many successful implementation of segregation at source, it was presented in the High Court. The court was also convinced that it is possible and has mandated that every household should adopt the 2bin1bag model of segregation at source, in their homes
CONTINUOUS OUTREACH AND ENFORCEMENT
There has to be continuous engagement with the public through campaigns, workshops and to keep highlighting segregation at source.
Regular enforcement of compliances will also facilitate quicker achievement of segregation at residential and commercial institutions.
Current Status in Bengaluru
BBMP (Bengaluru ULB) gazetted the SWM Bye-laws in June 2020, mandating 4 way segregation at source. Every waste generator has to sort waste into Biodegradable, Non-biodegradable, Domestic Hazardous and Construction & Demolition Waste and hand it over to the municipality.