Coronavirus lockdown: Garbage generation decreases by 25%
NAGPUR: The lockdown due to coronavirus scare has drastically reduced the waste generation of the area. About 1,185.23 metric ton of garbage generation per day, the city generates almost 300MT less garbage post lockdown.
The data compiled by the solid waste management department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation show that the city generates about 894MT of garbage every day after March 15, compared with 1,185MT the day before that, stated a senior Bhandewadi dumping yard official.
AG Enviro eliminates door-to-door garbage from zone 1 to 5 including Laxmi Nagar, Dharampeth, Hanuman Nagar, Dhantoli and Nehru Nagar, while BVG India collects waste from the Gandhibagh, Satranjipura, Lakadganj, Ashi Nagar and Mangalwari districts.
All the garbage generated from the city is transported to the Bhandewadi dumping yard, where NMC owns approximately 77 acres of land, 52 acres of which are used for the dumping of garbage, while 25 acres are used for the treatment of waste. The dumping areas are already full to their potential.
“Post coronavirus alert, all 10 zones have seen a dramatic drop in household garbage. The Nehru Nagar district has seen a sharp decline in the collection of garbage. Against 134.89MT of garbage per day, the residents of this southern Nagpur locality are now producing about 43.37MT of waste per day, “the data revealed. This was followed by the Mangalwari sector. It has also experienced a decrease in the collection of door-to-door garbage. Against the annual collection of around 107.20MT, the private agency collects just 67.20MT of waste per day, the officer explained.
Even areas with commercial areas have also seen a decline in the disposal of garbage. The Gandhibagh district, which has the majority of commercial establishments, now generates almost 35.98MT less waste per day, down from 131.22MT per day earlier.
The official attributed the lesser generation of garbage to the lockout. “With all business hubs closed, the production of garbage from commercial markets like Itwari, Sadar, Gaddigodam, Jaripatka, etc. has been zero. We’re just going to get garbage from household residents now, “the official said.
The environmental specialist and founder of the Green Vigil Foundation Kaustav Chatterjee said: “Humans are the only waste producers. We’re in the quarantine, stores are closed, work has stopped. Therefore, the garbage generated is an only domestic waste.
