RAAC Will Promote Zero Waste Management
The Residents’ Awareness Association of Coimbatore (RAAC) will promote the concept of zero waste management to step up its present clean environs programme, Alagana Kovai. RAAC is already spreading awareness on the importance of segregation of waste at source, when the Coimbatore Corporation insists that people should store biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste in separate bins.
Zero Waste Management (ZWM) deals with biodegradable waste at a more micro-level. It has individual disposal method for each type of biodegradable waste. For instance, egg shells are not mixed with the rest of the biodegradable waste. These are powdered and put through a process of making manure, which is different from the vermin-composting procedure, according to honorary secretary of RAAC R.R. Balasundaram.
ZWM lists 12 different types of biodegradable waste and 22 types of non-biodegradable ones. Agriculture waste is disposed of through another method. How each waste has a different use was explained by Exnora’s ZWM expert C. Srinivasan at a meeting organised recently by RAAC in the city. RAAC will support organisations where waste generation is high because of large public turnout. Banana leaves, paper waste and discarded plastic bottles in marriage halls can be put through different types of disposal or recycling methods. Hotels and small eateries too generate such waste. The other establishments in this list are hospitals, colleges and hostels. Waste generation is high in these places not only in terms of quantity, but also in terms of variety, Mr. Balasundaram points out.
The organisation is also promoting the concept of roof garden to encourage people to raise kitchen garden on the terrace. The bio-degradable waste generated at home can be converted into manure and used for the roof garden. “It is not about only lawns. People can cultivate plants that can provide their daily quota of vegetables. They can save on the excess amount they normally pay for vegetables at shops,” he says. “Enough safeguards will be provided to prevent seepage through the roof.”
