tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65416525888934449932024-03-11T02:01:25.874-07:00WASTE not ASIAInformation and discussions about solid waste, waste pickers, hazardous waste, e-waste and technological advances in waste management. In short waste issues that impact Asia.Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-51311874270832708062012-04-11T09:39:00.002-07:002012-04-11T09:41:06.183-07:00Is a double disaster brewing in our backyard? Ghazipur residents<p class="headmain" style="font-style: normal; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: bold; padding-left: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><em style="font-size: medium; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 24px; font-weight: normal; ">oppose an incineration plant fearing harmful emissions; waste-pickers fear loss of livelihood</em></p><p class="normantext" style="font-style: normal; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; letter-spacing: 1px; padding-left: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><strong>Janani Ganesan </strong><br />Ghazipur</p><div style="font-style: normal; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; "><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="690px"><tbody><tr><td><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" width="680px"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><br /></td></tr><tr><td align="left" style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); "><p class="bulb_caption" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; ">A landfill in Delhi</p><p class="Photo_credit" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; ">Photo: Vijay Pandey</p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p class="normantext" style="font-style: normal; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; letter-spacing: 1px; padding-left: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Over 300 people defied police pressure and participated in a public hearing organised to condemn the waste-to-energy plant expected to start operations soon in Ghazipur. The Ghazipur Dairy Farm, the venue of the public hearing, experienced a few tense moments on Saturday 24 March, when around 20 police personnel entered the premises. The hearing was organised by the Ghazipur Anti-Incinerator Committee, a voluntary forum of local residents. Following a refusal of permission by the Ghazipur police station Station House Officer (SHO) Sunil Kumar for the meeting, the residents wrote an application to the Commissioner of Police. Since they did not get a rejection letter in response, they went ahead with the meeting as planned.</p><div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; "><table border="0" align="left" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="250"><tbody><tr><td width="250" style="padding-right: 10px; "><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><img align="middle" src="http://www.tehelka.com/channels/Web_Specials/2012/Mar/24/images/Ghazipur_Landfill.jpg" /></td></tr><tr><td align="left" style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); "><p class="bulb_caption" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; ">Ghazipur residents at the public meeting</p><p class="Photo_credit" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; ">Photo: Dharmesh Shah</p></td></tr><tr><td><hr /></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><img align="middle" src="http://www.tehelka.com/channels/Web_Specials/2011/July/30/images/ad_marker.jpg" /></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><ins style="display: inline-table; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; height: 250px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 245px; "><ins id="aswift_0_anchor" style="display: block; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; height: 250px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 245px; "><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="250" hspace="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" vspace="0" width="245" id="aswift_0" name="aswift_0" style="left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; "></iframe></ins></ins></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-top: 10px; "></td></tr><tr><td align="left" style="padding-top: 10px; "><div align="left"><table border="0" align="left" width="250px" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="250px"><table border="0" align="left" width="250px" cellpadding="0" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); width: 250px; "><tbody><tr><td align="left" width="250px;" valign="top" style="padding-bottom: 10px; "><span class="style4" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; letter-spacing: 1px; font-weight: bold; ">ALSO READ </span><br /><span class="tehintro1"><a href="http://www.tehelka.com/story_main49.asp?filename=Ne230411FROM.asp" class="Related_link" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; letter-spacing: 1px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; ">From rags to ditches</a> </span><br /><img src="http://www.tehelka.com/channels/Web_Specials/2011/July/30/images/dotted-line.gif" width="245px" /><br /><span class="Related_link" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; letter-spacing: 1px; font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.tehelka.com/story_main50.asp?filename=Ne29101REMOVE.asp" class="Related_link" style="text-decoration: none; ">Remove The Poor</a></span><br /><img src="http://www.tehelka.com/channels/Web_Specials/2011/July/30/images/dotted-line.gif" width="245px" /><br /><span class="tehintro1"><a href="http://www.tehelka.com/story_main7.asp?filename=Ne100204ragpickers_dream.asp" class="Related_link" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; letter-spacing: 1px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; ">Ragpickers’ Dream</a></span></td></tr><tr><td><hr /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p class="normantext" style="font-style: normal; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; letter-spacing: 1px; padding-left: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">“The SHO told us not to hold the meeting. He claimed he hadn’t received any communication from the Commissioner,” said Sant Ram, president of Ghazipur Residents Welfare Association. “They did not allow us to put up a tent and only allowed ten chairs. Later they removed everything and snatched the microphone away as well.” The waste-pickers from the nearby Ghazipur Kabadi basti, about 50 meters from the Ghazipur landfill were also not allowed to join the hearing. The organisers claim that they would have had an attendance of thousands, had it not been for the police posted at the basti stopping the waste-pickers from joining the meeting.</p><p class="normantext" style="font-style: normal; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; letter-spacing: 1px; padding-left: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">When TEHELKA spoke to the waste-pickers later in the day, they said they had been threatened by the policemen. “The policemen warned us not to go to the meeting. Even though we are in thousands, we dare not go against the police because we live in the area. What will we do if they arrest us?” said waste-picker and the basti resident who does not wish to be named. This controversial 1300 tonne capacity waste-to-energy plant was developed by New Delhi Waste Processing Company Private Ltd., (NDWPCL), a joint venture of Government of Delhi and Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS) Ltd. It is a municipal solid waste power project that is expected to generate 12 MW power from waste through the process of incineration. The plant, whose construction was started three months ago, is expected to become operational in six months.</p><p class="normantext" style="font-style: normal; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; letter-spacing: 1px; padding-left: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The residents of Ghazipur oppose an incineration plant being set up in an area populated with 36 lakh inhabitants as they fear the harmful emissions that may be generated from it, while the waste-pickers fear loss of livelihood because of the plant. Present at the public hearing was Dunu Roy of Hazards Centre, a not-for-profit institution, who highlighted that the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Integrated Plant Nutrient Management (May, 2005) discouraged the concept of waste-to-energy policy. It has instead recommended setting up of 1000 compost plants all over the country to manage waste. There are currently three waste-to-energy incineration plants in Delhi – in Ghazipur, Okhla and Bhavana. Out of the three only the Okhla plant, also constructed by IL&FS Ltd is operational and is on its trial run. These are the first set of waste-to-energy plants to come up in India. The technology of the Okhla plant is already contested in the Delhi High Court by the residents of Okhla.</p><p class="normantext" style="font-style: normal; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px; letter-spacing: 1px; padding-left: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><em>Janani Ganesan is a Correspondent with Tehelka. </em><br /><a href="mailto:janani@tehelka.com">janani@tehelka.com</a></p>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-35545907876764850032012-04-11T09:33:00.001-07:002012-04-11T09:34:50.935-07:00The uncounted people: waste-pickers of India<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span ><span style="font-size: 33px; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 33px;"><br /></span></span></div><div id="main" class="col-6" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 60px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; float: left; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; width: 460px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "><div class="col-6 edge oh" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; float: left; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; width: 460px; "><div class="post" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; clear: left; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; "><div class="thumb thumb-6" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; float: left; width: 460px; "><img width="460" height="305" src="http://panos.org.uk/wp-content/files/2012/03/00089884-460x305.jpg" class="attachment-six wp-post-image" alt="Woman picking over burning piles of rubbish on the edge of Mumbai's biggest slum, Dharavi, a thriving mix of poverty and enterprise that is home to over one million people - Mark Henley | Panos Pictures" title="Woman picking over burning piles of rubbish on the edge of Mumbai's biggest slum, Dharavi, a thriving mix of poverty and enterprise that is home to over one million people - Mark Henley | Panos Pictures" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; " /></div><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">Despite the chilly winter air, Chinnamma’s day begins at 5am. Wrapping a length of her sari over her head and hugging her shawl around her shoulders, the 48-year-old makes her way to Jawaharnagar municipal dump on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The smell from the mountains of rotting refuse is overpowering but Chinnamma hurries in. A delay could mean a day of no earnings as the gates are locked after 7am and she must get in and out before that time.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">An hour later, Chinnamma has filled a plastic bag filled with her precious collection: empty bottles, empty cans, rags, torn shoes, scraps of plastic and pieces of metal. Sorted neatly in separate bundles, she will later sell this collection to a scrap dealer for around Rs 5 (6p) a kilo. On a lucky day, she will make about Rs 150 – a little under £2.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">Chinnamma is an unofficial or “free-roaming” waste-picker, one of an estimated 8,000 men and women in Hyderabad who scrape a livelihood by sifting through garbage, looking for items to recycle and sell on.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">Sorting through the rubbish in the semi-darkness is fraught with risk. Infection and illness aside, Chinnamma’s worst fear is getting buried under a sudden avalanche of refuse. In the past year alone, six waste-pickers – three of them women – have been buried in this way in this dumping ground. Of those six, the body of only one was recovered – the rest are still untraced. After this the city authorities started to lock the gates of the dumping site to stop the waste-pickers from getting inside.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; "><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-10223" title="Scavenging for food and anything that can be sold in the Bantella rubbish dump - George Georgiou | Panos Pictures" src="http://panos.org.uk/wp-content/files/2012/03/00013209-300x194.jpg" alt="Scavenging for food and anything that can be sold in the Bantella rubbish dump - George Georgiou | Panos Pictures" width="300" height="194" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; display: block; " /></p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">A further 7,000 recognised waste-pickers work for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). They each collect rubbish from around 200 homes and get paid Rs 30 each month by each of the families, bringing in a total of Rs 6,000 (£77) a month.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">Between them they help to collect, sift and process the city’s waste – an estimated 3,800 metric tons of waste every day, the equivalent of 322 double decker buses – providing an informal and environmentally friendly recycling service.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">It would be hard to call it a “living” but waste-picking allows Chinnamma to pay the Rs 1,500 monthly rent on her hut in a nearby slum. Without it she would be evicted. However, her means of survival is now under threat.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">This month GHMC is handing over management of the city’s rubbish to Ramky Enviro Engineers, a waste management company which already runs 14 waste management facilities across India. The city’s refuse will be used to fuel a gas-based power plant, while the rest of the waste will be supplied to two similar government-owned plants that are currently under construction.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">As a result there will be nothing left for the waste-pickers to collect or sell. Some will find temporary work at construction sites, while the women will look for work as domestic maids. However, without a reference letter they are unlikely to be hired. The only other option is illegal sex work.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">The future of the recognised waste-pickers is also uncertain as Ramky has no legal obligation towards them. Satya Adamala, project director in Ramky’s solid waste management division, says that the company will try to retain GHMC’s current waste-picker force.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">However, Susheela, a GHMC waste-picker, says:</p><blockquote style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245); border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: italic; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 50px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 50px; padding-top: 1.6363em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; "><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">“Currently most of us earn Rs 2,000 every month from selling recyclables which is outside of our salary (Rs 6,000). But we have been told that from next month, our salary will be Rs 3000 and we should not take any recyclable material. <strong style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; ">If that happens, our earnings will be less than half of what we make now</strong>.”</p></blockquote><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">GHMC’s move to privatise waste-management in Hyderabad is opposed by the Association for Promoting Social Action (APSA), a Hyderabad-based NGO that works to protect the rights of waste-pickers. APSA has appealed to both the state and the National Human Rights Commission to review the Ramky contract.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">S Srinivasa Reddy, APSA director, says:</p><blockquote style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245); border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: italic; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 50px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 50px; padding-top: 1.6363em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; "><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">“The waste-pickers have been segregating and recycling over 12 per cent of the city’s total waste on their own. If better trained and given financial and technical support, the percentage can grow manifold.”</p></blockquote><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">There are several successful examples of this across India. In Ahmedabad, in the western state of Gujarat, 200 women waste-pickers run a small business producing diaries, notepads and pens made from recycled waste. The Gitanjali Mahila Sewa Industrial Stationery Producers Cooperative Mandli is supported by We-Connect, a private sector forum, and the global consultancy firm Accenture, and customers include the World Bank. Similar recycling units are being run by waste-pickers’ co-operatives in Valod, also in Gujarat, and Pune in Maharashtra.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; "><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-10221" title="Scavenging for food and anything that can be sold in the Bantella rubbish dump - George Georgiou | Panos Pictures" src="http://panos.org.uk/wp-content/files/2012/03/00013210-195x300.jpg" alt="Scavenging for food and anything that can be sold in the Bantella rubbish dump - George Georgiou | Panos Pictures" width="195" height="300" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; float: right; " />APSA has been lobbying the GHMC to count and recognise all the free-roaming waste-pickers in the city, providing them with a safer, more regular income.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">“<em style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; ">We were also in talks with GHMC to provide health insurance to the waste-pickers,</em>” says Reddy. “<em style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; ">But the privatisation move has derailed this entire process.</em>”</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">Supporting APSA in its fight to protect the livelihood of free-roaming waste-pickers is the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), a worldwide alliance of more than 600 non-profit organisations that opposes waste disposal by incineration and campaigns for increased recycling by waste-pickers.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">According to Dharmesh Shah, GAIA’s India Coordinator, landfill gas-to-energy projects are simply a modern method of incinerating waste and give no environmental benefits. In contrast, the waste-pickers help build an informal but environmentally-friendly economy through low-cost sorting and recycling.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">“<em style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; ">There are about 15 million people in India who earn a living from the collection and recycling of solid waste,</em>” says Mr Shah.</p><blockquote style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245); border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: italic; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 50px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 50px; padding-top: 1.6363em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; "><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">“They are not just keeping the cities clean but also contributing towards saving the environment. The government should provide them every facility that it provides to employees in other sectors such as guarantee of work, housing, subsidised food, free medical care and pension. But in reality, the waste collectors are deprived of even the basic amenities.”</p></blockquote><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">The number of unofficial waste-pickers in Hyderabad is on the rise and campaigners warn that banning them will not make them go away. Driven by lack of employment in their villages, these men and women arrive in the city looking for work. They are one of the most marginalised groups in India. The majority are Dalit (previously known as Untouchables) and landless, with almost no education or skills. Litter-picking is one of the only options open to them for survival.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">Once in the city, waste-pickers work in deplorable conditions. They have no protective gear, handling the waste with bare hands and living close to the dumping grounds which are rotting, stinking mass of waste. Rates of tuberculosis, cancer and renal failure are high, as are alcoholism and substance abuse. “<em style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; ">The smell at the dump yard is stomach-churning. You can work and live here only if you are out of your senses,</em>” Chinnamma explains.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">Sivarani, a slum development coordinator with APSA who has been working with the city’s waste-pickers for more than 15 years, says they should have been given a chance to contribute to the debate.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">“<em style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; ">Nobody should decide the fate of the waste-pickers on their behalf,</em>” she says.</p><blockquote style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245); border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: italic; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 50px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 50px; padding-top: 1.6363em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; quotes: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; "><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">“Currently, the entire deal is happening between the municipality and private companies. The waste-pickers, whose lives revolve around the issue, should be the central party to this deal, but they are nowhere in the picture.”</p></blockquote><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">With support from APSA, 500 free-roaming waste-pickers have recently united under a banner called the Federation of Waste Collectors of Hyderabad. In November last year, ten of them visited a recycling co-operative run by waste-pickers in Pune. “<em style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; ">Like them, we can also make compost, diaries, cups and calendars. The government, we hear, has banned plastic bags. We can make and supply paper bags to stores instead,</em>” says Chinnamma.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.6363em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; ">The will is there among the waste-pickers. But so far the government has not been listening.</p></div></div></div>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-48709441979569137372011-11-21T05:11:00.000-08:002011-11-21T05:21:22.294-08:00Indian waste workers fear loss of income from trash-to-electricity projects<p style="text-align: left;background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span><span></span></span>--By Rama Lakshmi</span></p><p style="text-align: left;background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/indian-waste-workers-fear-loss-of-income-from-trash-to-electricity-projects/2011/11/18/gIQACCB7fN_print.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Washington Post, Monday 21 November</span></a></b></p><p style="text-align: left;background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "></p><p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">In New Delhi — For five hours every day, Ranjit Kumar and his 10-year-old son rummage through a giant pile of rotting trash with their bare hands, filling bags with pieces of metal, plastic and glass to take by cart to the recyclers market nearby.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">But an incinerator under construction not far away may mean that he and other waste workers will lose access to the trash, he said, which fetches his family a little over $5 a day.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">The incinerator is one of two projects in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">New Delhi</st1:place></st1:city> aimed at turning the city’s trash into electricity and earning carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol, the global climate pact designed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Local politicians have hailed the projects for addressing the city’s chronic problems of excess untreated waste and a shortage of electric power.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">But for almost 300,000 workers in the city engaged in waste collection, sorting and recycling, the plants mean the loss of their livelihood.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">“If all the trash goes to the plants to be processed, how do we feed our stomachs?” said Kumar, as foul-smelling fumes rose from the trash and dark brown water trickled past him. “My work may look dirty, but it keeps my family alive.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white"><a href="http://www.no-burn.org/eu-double-standards-on-waste-management--climate-policy" target="_blank"><span style="color:white">Waste-worker communities have mobilized</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:white; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"> </span></span></a>in <st1:country-region st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Colombia</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">South Africa</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> to campaign on behalf of trash dumps and the livelihoods they provide, and against the idea of burning waste. The United Nations, however, has been encouraging incinerator projects that burn waste — rotting trash produces the potent greenhouse-gas methane — to produce energy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">Under the Kyoto Protocol, nations can earn carbon credits for such projects that can be used to offset the emissions of coal-fired power plants elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">Earlier this month, hundreds of waste workers gathered outside the United Nations office in New Delhi to protest 21 municipal waste<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://cdmpipeline.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:white">projects for which India has applied for carbon credit</span></a>. The projects, not all completed, use biodegradable, combustible and inert waste. They include trash-to-compost, incinerators, refuse-derived-fuel.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">Waste-worker groups appealed to climate negotiators when they met in <st1:country-region st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Germany</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on">China</st1:country-region> in the past year, and they are now preparing to protest at the climate meeting in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Durban</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">South Africa</st1:country-region></st1:place>, set to begin next week.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">Waste workers want access to the United Nations’ $30 billion Green Climate Fund — the effort by developed countries to help the developing world prepare for climate change — for their role in mitigating climate change by recovering recyclable materials from waste.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">But advocates of the trash-to-energy projects say that <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s growing population, changing consumption patterns and urban boom has created a waste problem that must be addressed in a scientific manner.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">“It is not an us-versus-them situation. We must frame the debate differently. Do we want the ragpickers to continue working in inhuman, hell-on-earth, unhygienic conditions at these untreated dump sites? Should their sons and daughters do the same, too?” asked Mahesh Babu, chief executive of IL&FS Ecosmart, which heads several trash-to-energy projects across India, including the incinerator near Kumar’s neighborhood. “The solution lies in integrating some of the waste-workers into the processing activities of the plants.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">But <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> has a staggering 1.7 million waste workers, and any effort to mainstream them is often just a drop. Babu’s project in the central city of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nagpur</st1:place></st1:city> has given jobs to 70 people to collect trash, out of a total of 1,700 waste workers in the city.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">“The waste pickers are at the lowest rung of the occupational ladder and often the most marginalized, hence they do not have alternative livelihood options to which they can move,” said Prema Gera, assistant country director of the United Nations Development Program, in an e-mail, referring to a<a href="http://www.undp.org.in/sites/default/files/reports_publication/sewaWebFinal.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:white; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"> </span></span><span style="color:white">study.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">Bhojahari Paramni, 41, has worked with waste for 25 years. He removes dirt and twigs from balls of human hair in his home in a large slum of waste workers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">“You cannot take away my job and expect me to become a successful electrician, plumber or mason overnight,” he said. There is no regulatory protection for waste workers in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">Waste workers say that 80 percent of Indian trash is wet, organic waste, and that 30 percent contains recyclable material.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">“To run an incinerator they will burn everything, including the recyclables like plastics. Is that good for the environment?” asked Shashi Bhushan Pandit, secretary of All India Waste Workers Union. This year, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">New Delhi</st1:place></st1:city> residents protested another new incinerator because they feared toxic emissions like dioxin and other gases.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">Two Indian waste workers will represent their country at next week’s protest in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Durban</st1:place></st1:city>, which will demand that poor people be included in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.chintan-india.org/documents/research_and_reports/chintan_report_wasting_our_local_resources.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color:white">climate policies.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">Although the Kyoto Protocol, which the United States has not signed, is facing an uncertain future when it comes up for renewal in 2012, analysts say that its key component, carbon-trading for emissions reductions, may survive in some form. Countries such as <st1:country-region st="on">China</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Japan</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">New Zealand</st1:place></st1:country-region> are developing carbon markets. <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">California</st1:place></st1:state> recently announced the nation’s first state-run cap-and-trade program. This year, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> launched an exchange program for renewable-energy certificates.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">“We are hoping that the carbon trading market will continue in some [form] — both within <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> and bilaterally with other countries, even if the multilateral arrangements under the Kyoto Protocol are not renewed,” Babu said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:white">He said carbon credit prices have fallen more than 50 percent in the past year because of the eurozone economic crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-79478643806055545572011-09-08T03:54:00.000-07:002011-09-08T03:55:50.336-07:00Power from waste: Vivekananda Kendra shows the way<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; ">M.J. Prabu, The Hindu Sept 8 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div class="articleLead" style="font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: italic; "><p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">The town Panchayat is today powered by the biogas-generated electricity</p></div><div class="text-embed"><img src="http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00775/thsep-8-agri_story__775861e.jpg" class="main-image" alt="Effective management: The bio-gas unit installed by VK-Nardep. - Photo: Special Arrangement" title="Effective management: The bio-gas unit installed by VK-Nardep. - Photo: Special Arrangement" /><div class="photo-caption" style="padding-top: 3px; line-height: 14px; clear: both; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="photo-source" style="font-style: italic; "></span>Effective management: The bio-gas unit installed by VK-Nardep. - Photo: Special Arrangement</div></div><div class="article-body"><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu is an internationally renowned tourist destination.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Though the town itself houses a modest population of just 12,345 in about 400 households, it generates a huge volume of waste – mainly kitchen waste from various hotels and restaurants.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">An NGO from Kanyakumari called Vivekananda Kendra (Vk- nardep) built a solid waste management shed at the town panchayat for collecting and processing the entire waste for feeding into a bio-gas plant.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“The Kendra constructed the biogas plant (of 100 cubic metre volume) — a floating drum like device attached to a designed biogas engines that are in turn connected to specially designed control panels.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><b>Effective disposing</b></p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“The solid waste management shed of the Panchayat is today powered by the biogas-generated-electricity.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“Once the plant started functioning, the panchayat disposed a lot of waste in a constructive way using this plant. The hygiene of the surroundings also improved,” says the Kendra secretary G.Vasudeo.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Scientists from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore and officials from Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) visited the project and recommended it for subsidy from the Government.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“Every kilowatt of energy produced through such renewable energy sources is eligible for subsidy. This village panchayat generates about 10 Kilowatts of electricity from its organic kitchen waste thereby becoming eligible for subsidy worth Rs 4 lakh,” says Mr. Vasudeo.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Once a small town or village becomes a popular tourist place, almost the entire livelihood of that place starts depending on its tourism industry.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“Increased waste generation and absence of effective solutions to tackle it affect the health of the people and also hits tourist flow. Sadly, today urban tourist centers as well as cities are becoming a hub of food waste being dumped in the kitchen backyards,” he adds.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><b>Waste generation</b></p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">A typical major tourist or pilgrimage centre generates 10-35 tonnes of waste per day, higher than the per capita in urban areas.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Such a problem needs to be tackled innovatively both technologically and socially, that too on a war footing.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“Disposing of waste, particularly kitchen waste, poses a big problem everywhere. Often the sight of accumulated garbage heaps at road corners and in open grounds and fields becomes a nuisance for the residents.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“These rubbish heaps become a breeding ground for many infections and are frequented by stray dogs,” he says.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><b>Vicious cycle</b></p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Effectively tackling this problem becomes imperative as it remains a vicious cycle. The challenge of converting the waste into wealth at Mamallapuram is a joint effort of a Chennai based NGO, ‘Hand in Hand', which, along with Vivekananda Kendra set up a large Bio-methanation plant from their Natural resources development project.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">The Kendra has been doing research and field work in this area for the last 10 years and is credited for developing low volume bio-methanation plants that are suitable for both urban and rural households.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">In addition to this the Kendra also developed a bio-gas slurry based agro-inputs package and made the dissemination of this technology more efficient.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><b>Collection</b></p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“We started collecting kitchen and vegetable wastes from the town Panchayat and collected more than 550 kg to 600 kg of kitchen wastes for feeding the plant,” adds Mr. Vasudeo.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Thus a unique combination of governmental agencies, voluntary organisations, and sustainable energy technologists made a tourist centre in the present globalised environment more ecologically healthy and economically vibrant.</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">For more details and visit readers can contact Mr. G.Vasudeo, Secretary, Vivekananda Kendra - NARDEP, Kanyakumari - 629 702, Tamil Nadu, e.mail : vknardep@gmail.com, website: vknardep.org, phone 04652- 246296 (office).</p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><a href="http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech-and-agri/article2434036.ece?css=print">http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech-and-agri/article2434036.ece?css=print</a></p></div></span>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-51697348718573493532011-09-03T23:15:00.000-07:002011-09-03T23:18:45.832-07:00"Additionality" of CDM in India ? there is none, say officials (wikileaks)<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; "><div style="text-align: justify;">“At a seminar on CDM in Mumbai, R K Sethi, Member Secretary of the National CDM Authority and the present Chairman of the CDM Executive Board, publicly admitted that the National CDM Authority takes the "project developer at his word" for clearing the "additionality" barriers. Mathsy Kutty of Det Norske Veritas (DNV), a CDM Executive Board-accredited validation and verification organization for CDM projects, told ConGenoff that the designated authorities of host countries approve projects in a cursory manner and do not check to see whether the project meets all the requirements laid down by the CDM Executive Board. CDM projects in India do not have to be validated or verified to get host country approval while both processes are mandatory to get the project registered with the UNFCCC, she continued. For this reason, she pointed out, Indian projects account for 44 percent of the total projects rejected by the CDM Executive Board.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; ">"The downside of initiating CDM projects without foreign backing is that the local project developer has to self-finance the project and bears the risk that the project does not qualify for carbon credits. For this reason, Santonu Kashyap of Asia Carbon maintains that Indian projects can never fulfill the additionality requirement as no developer will risk investing in a project unless he is certain of a revenue stream independent of the CDM incentive. In a separate discussion with GAO analysts and ConGenoff, Jamshed Irani, Director of Tata Sons and the Chairman of the Tata group's Steering Committee on Sustainability, agreed that no Indian company is brave enough to rely entirely on a CDM-driven revenue stream."</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; ">--</span><span><span >Oscar Reyes</span></span><span><span >Carbon Trade Watch</span></span><span><span >http://wikileaks.org/cable/2008/07/08MUMBAI340.html</span></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span>
<br /></span></span></div></div></div>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-3551954720678946992011-09-03T23:06:00.000-07:002011-09-03T23:07:30.206-07:00Kodungaiyur residents ask state govt to shut down dumpyard<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">Times of India, Sept 3 2011</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">CHENNAI: Pressure is mounting on the state to shut down the dumpyard at Kodungaiyur. On Friday, CPM legislator from Perambur A Soundararajan joined environmentalists and members of residents' welfare associations to seek the intervention of the state government in shifting the yard to a no man's zone to safeguard six lakh people in north Chennai.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">Though the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) marked the area for a government institute, it was turned into a dumpyard 16 years after the residential colonies were formed.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">If CMDA approved layouts near the dumpsites in 1971, such as Mahakavi Bharathi Nagar, Kaviarasu Kannadasan Nagar, Raja Rathinam Nagar, the Directorate of Town and Country Planning approved colonies such as Krishnamurthy Nagar, Vivekananda Nagar, Ezhil Nagar, Parvathy Nagar, Eveready Colony, Thiruvalluvar Nagar.</p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">Soundararajan said the constant burning of garbage poses serious health hazards to the local community. "The state has to shift the yard permanently. As a temporary measure, we want the government to stop burning of waste, raise a compound wall and prevent outsiders from gaining entry." He said the existing unsegregated waste had to be leveled through scientific means.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">An air sample tested at Columbia Analytical Services in Simi Valley in California during 2006 detected the presence of nine chemicals – Carbon Disulphide, Chloromethane, Acrolein, Acetone, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Benzene, Toluene, 1,2-Dichlorobenzene and d-Limonene, which target the eyes, skin, central nervous system, kidneys, liver, reproductive system, cardio-vascular system, bone marrow and peripheral nervous system.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">Ever Vigilant Citizens Welfare Association president N S Ramachandra Rao says Tondiarpet zone, in which Kodungaiyur falls, generates only 320 tonnes of garbage a day, but 4,000 tonnes of waste from seven zones is disposed here. The mounds of garbage, including plastic waste, results in mosquito menace. "Let the government decentralize the solid waste disposal in each of the 10 zones and segregate plastic waste," said Rao.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">AIADMK government in its previous tenure had recommended zone-wise collection, segregation and disposal of garbage, said A Pandurangan of Kaviarasu Kannadasan Nagar.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><a href="http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-03/chennai/30109607_1_plastic-waste-unsegregated-waste-dumpyard">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-03/chennai/30109607_1_plastic-waste-unsegregated-waste-dumpyard</a></p></span>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-48513074708102580682011-08-18T01:58:00.000-07:002011-08-18T02:01:23.704-07:00No more free plastic bags at supermarkets<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium; ">THE HINDU, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; ">August 18, 2011</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium; ">Plastic bags now come at a price ranging from Re.1 to Rs.7, depending on the size. If you did not know that, there is no point avoiding some retail chains that have started charging for the carry bag as many more are set to follow suit.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium; ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium; ">This follows the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011 of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest. It says plastic bags below 40 microns should not be used and shops should charge customers for carry bags above 40 microns.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium; ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium; ">Following this retail chains such as More, Big Bazaar, Reliance Fresh and Westside have started levying a charge on customers who ask for a carry bag. Some of them have pasted notices near the cash counter and make announcements informing the customers about the decision and on plastic waste management.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium; ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium; ">According to members of the Retailers Association of India, the response to the initiative has been mixed since it was first introduced in Mumbai last month and to be extended to other cities.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >Reduction in usage</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; "><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >In Mumbai, for instance, in a month, as per surveys conducted by RAI, there is a drastic reduction in the consumption of plastic carry bags – as much as 30 per cent, says Varghese Thomas, Chairman of CII National Council on Retail.</span></p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >“As far as plastic bags are less consumed, it will have a great impact on the environment. In that regard, there are many conscious customers taking this effort,” Mr. Thomas said.</span></p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >In the city, while some customers argued when told that a few more rupees have been added to their bill towards the carry bags, some took the contents out and left behind the plastic carry bag in the store.</span></p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >“It is a good initiative but I am not sure how often I would remember to carry my own bag every time I go shopping. Usually it is after we leave home or after work that we realise that we need to buy things,” says Reine V., a resident of Valsarvakkam, who was charged at two retail outlets.</span></p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >Koyambedu market</span></b></p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >At the Koyambedu fruit and vegetable market, the traders have started issuing biodegradable plastic bags with various public awareness messages.</span></p><p class="body" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article2367593.ece?css=print">http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article2367593.ece?css=print</a></span></p><div style="font-size: 19px; ">
<br /></div><p class="body" style="font-size: 19px; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></p><p class="body" style="font-size: 19px; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><i><b></b></i></p></span></div>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-41702564062543908482011-07-11T05:48:00.000-07:002011-07-11T05:51:46.723-07:00Pune civic chief hails biogas kits for waste disposal<span class="Apple-style-span">Pune</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Saturday, July 2, 2011 17:43 IST</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="line-height: 18px; "><p>Pune municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak on Friday stressed the need to dispose of garbage at local level and urged the citizens to allow biogas projects, like the one in Model Colony, to serve the purpose.</p><p>He was speaking at the felicitation ceremony organised for labourers who have been operating the biomethenation-cum-power generation plant set up by the PMC in Model Colony. The project has been awarded ISO 9001: 2008 certification for standard management system.</p><p>Local corporator Jyotsna Sardeshpande, who was instrumental in the project’s development, had organised a felicitation ceremony for employees who are contributing to the success of the project.</p><p>Acting additional municipal commissioner Naresh Zurmure, city president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Vikas Mathkari, former chairman of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada), Vijay Kale, and zonal commissioner Vijay Dahibhate were also present.</p><p>Pathak said that the biogas project in Model Colony should be replicated in the city in large numbers so that there are less garbage carrying vehicles in the city. He would request citizens to allow such projects and dispose of garbage at local level.</p><p>He said that these projects do not put pressure on the environment, but instead the civic authority would earn carbon credits for them</p><p>The biogas projects help in reducing transportation of garbage as garbage is processed at these plants. Such facilities also help in generating electricity and manufacturing manure.</p><p>Sardeshpande said that the project has been running continuously for 13 months since it started, disposing of 2,400 tonnes of garbage.</p></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">Electricity to light up 240 street lamps was also generated during this period. Employees Ashok Gunjal, Manik Bhosale, Bhimabai Dharnale and Surekha Chavan were felicitated on the occasion.</span></p></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, verdana; font-size: 12px; "><b>URL of the article:</b> http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_pune-civic-chief-hails-biogas-kits-for-waste-disposal_1561539-all</span></div>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-46053585022914015752011-07-06T05:14:00.000-07:002011-07-06T05:16:15.389-07:00Waste Management Shake up for Delhi's Industrial Neighbour<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><h1 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></h1><div class="article-content-wrapper"><span id="ContentBody"><div class="picture right" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font: normal normal normal 11px/1.4em Arial, sans-serif; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0.8em; float: right; width: 225px; "><img src="http://www.waste-management-world.com/etc/medialib/new-lib/wmw/online-articles/2011/06.Par.41803.Image.gif?direct=1" alt="Waste Management Shake up for Delhi's Industrial Neighbour" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); margin-bottom: 3px; width: 225px; height: 340px; " />Image credit: Wen-Yan King<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Waste Management World </div><div style="text-align: justify; ">30 June 2011<br /><br />With residents of a new industrial city near Delhi, India worried by the increasing proliferation of <a href="http://www.waste-management-world.com/index/markets-policy-and-finance.html" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 51, 204); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">illegal</a> dump sites, the New Oklha Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) claims that it is now reassessing sanitation arrangements, according to a report in The Times of India.<br /><br />The Authority is responsible for <a href="http://www.waste-management-world.com/index/collection-and-transfer.html" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 51, 204); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">collection</a> of waste from residential, commercial and industrial areas. However, up until now with responsibility has mostly been shouldered by rag pickers.<br /><br />NOIDA claims it has already developed a detailed garbage 'collection, segregation and treatment' plan, but according to the report, it does not have a single designated <a href="http://www.waste-management-world.com/index/landfill.html" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 51, 204); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">landfill</a> site for the 300 tonnes of municipal waste that the city produces each day.<br /><br />The result is a proliferation of illegal waste dumps can be spotted all over the city. However, NOIDA claims it is in the process of designating land for three new landfill sites "on a priority basis."<br /><br />Of the three stages of dealing with waste - segregation, collection and disposal, NOIDA has initially chosen to focus on disposal. To begin it has invited a Request For Proposal for the development of an integrated solid waste management plant.<br /><br />Senior project engineer Ved Pal told The Times of India: "We have invited RFPs from interested parties for a plant that will have a capacity of treating around 300 to 500 metric tonnes of waste including bio-medical and industrial waste. The site for the plant has already been identified in Sector 123. As soon as technical formalities are completed, work will begin."<br /><br />Pal went on to explain that sanitation is one of the most pressing issues faced by the city today.<br /><br />"We are also hoping to sensitize residents about the importance of proper waste management and recycling, requesting them to cooperate with the Authority at least till the complete waste management infrastructure is developed," he added.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div></span></div></span>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-47695693840940087612011-06-23T03:26:00.000-07:002011-06-23T03:28:31.461-07:00Punjab to Replace Dump Sites with Waste to Energy Facilities<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; ">20 June 2011</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br />The Punjab state government has outlined plans to develop a programme for the scientific disposal of solid waste, according to a report in The Indian Express.<br /><br />The plans were unveiled by Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal in Jalalabad, where he said that private companies would set up solid waste processing plants in which <a href="http://www.waste-management-world.com/index/waste-to-energy.html" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; ">power</a>, manure and plastic would be produced.<br /><br />In addition engineered <a href="http://www.waste-management-world.com/index/landfill.html" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; ">landfills</a> are to be built for the final disposal of residual waste of the 4300 tonnes of MSW that is generated in each day in the 137 urban local bodies that make up the state.<br /><br />The state's waste management infrastructure is divided into eight zones.<br />The facilities are to be built under 25 year public private partnership contracts, with the government expected to <a href="http://www.waste-management-world.com/index/markets-policy-and-finance.html" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; ">invest</a>Rs5.6 billion ($124 million).<br /><br />Under the proposals, waste management companies in Punjab will manage the door to door <a href="http://www.waste-management-world.com/index/collection-and-transfer.html" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; ">collection</a> of solid waste, which will then be transported to centralised processing plants.<br /><br />The project is also aimed at freeing the state's cities of the all too common open dumping grounds were much of the waste currently generated in the region ends up for final disposal.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><a href="http://www.waste-management-world.com/index/display/article-display/0885440621/articles/waste-management-world/waste-to-energy/2011/06/Punjab_to_Replace_Dump_Sites_with_Waste_to_Energy_Facilities.html" target="_blank">http://www.waste-management-<wbr>world.com/index/display/<wbr>article-display/0885440621/<wbr>articles/waste-management-<wbr>world/waste-to-energy/2011/06/<wbr>Punjab_to_Replace_Dump_Sites_<wbr>with_Waste_to_Energy_<wbr>Facilities.html</a></span>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-18649443226234166052011-06-09T22:04:00.000-07:002011-06-09T22:07:56.324-07:00CDM Misadventures In Waste Management<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium; ">by Neil Tangri and Dharmesh Shah</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "></span></i></span></a><i><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm">Third World Network</a> </i></span></i><i>Info Service on Climate Change (Jun11/02) 9 June 2011</i></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Clean Development Mechanism’s flagship waste management project in India is turning into a multi-faceted disaster, revealing flaws in both the carbon credit mechanism as well as the corporate-driven, technology-focused approached to climate change mitigation.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: medium; "><i>Delhi’s Waste Management Challenges<br /><br /></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" >Municipal solid waste management is a challenge in most urban areas of the developing world: rapidly growing urban populations, increased consumerism, and a shift in consumption patterns are resulting in rapidly rising levels of waste generation. The nature of municipal waste is also changing, with increasing quantities of plastics and composite materials such as electronics. In</span><st1:country-region st="on" style="font-size: medium; ">India</st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" >’s capital state of </span><st1:city st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" >, which produces more than 7000 metric tons of waste per day,</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[i]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[i] investment in public infrastructure has not kept pace with the quantity or the increasingly complex nature of municipal waste, and significant quantities go uncollected. The situation would be far worse without the informal sector: </span><st1:city st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" >’s waste supports a population of approximately 100,000 wastepickers,</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[ii]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[ii] who recover usable materials such as metal, paper, cardboard and plastic from the waste. These materials are cleaned, sorted, and sold back to industry as raw material for new products. Altogether, </span><st1:city st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" >’s recycling economy recovers 1600 tons of waste per day, or approximately 15-20% of the total generation; and saves USD 14,000 per day in operational costs for the city municipality</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[iii]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[iii].</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >However, the informal recycling sector has little use for the largest part of the waste stream – food waste and other organic materials. These are usually collected by the municipality and taken to one of three open dumps (euphemistically called landfills). The presence of organic waste in landfills has long been associated with a variety of problems – odors, pests, landfill fires, and toxic leachate. Organic waste in landfills is also one of the primary global sources of methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide.</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[iv]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[iv] With the threat of a climate tipping point looming, measures such as the Clean Development Mechanism and the Global Methane Initiative are increasing efforts on eliminating methane emissions – but the experience of </span><st1:city st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" > shows that corporate initiatives reliant on high technology can easily backfire.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: medium; "><i>The Timarpur-Okhla Waste-to-Energy Project</i></b><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[v]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[v]</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >In November 2007, the CDM Executive Board registered a project by the Timarpur-Okhla Waste Management Company to build two facilities to handle 2050 tons per day of municipal waste, or about a quarter of Delhi’s total. In Okhla, the waste would be dried and shredded into a fluff called “Refuse-Derived Fuel” (RDF), then burned in a boiler to produce electricity. The Timarpur facility would also produce the same RDF pellets but truck them to Okhla for incineration. The project immediately raised flags among local residents, wastepickers and environmentalists: this is not the first incineration project to be built in Timarpur.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >In 1987, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) commissioned the Timarpur Refuse Incineration-cum-Power Generation Station at a capital cost of INR 25 crores</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[vi]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[vi] (USD 19.3 million</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn7" name="_ednref7" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[vii]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[vii]). The plant was built by the Danish firm Volund Miljotecknik and designed to incinerate 300 tons of municipal waste per day to generate 3.77 MW of electricity. The plant initiated trial operations and ran for 21 days, using auxiliary fuel, before shutting down due to the poor quality of incoming waste. Essentially, Indian waste contained too much organic material and insufficient paper, plastic and cardboard to sustain combustion. Unlike wealthier countries, Indians generate smaller quantities of these materials; and an efficient informal sector ensures that most of what is thrown away is recycled rather than left for disposal. However, these lessons appear not to have been learned by government officials.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: medium; "><i>Sustainable Development Does Not Apply to the Poor<br /><br /></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" >According to its charter, the CDM is required to only support projects which contribute to sustainable development; but the responsibility for ensuring this – unlike the monitoring of additionality – is entrusted to national governments. With a single, pro-forma line, “This project contributes to sustainable development in </span><st1:country-region st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" >,”</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn8" name="_ednref8" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[viii]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[viii] the Ministry of Environment and Forests discharged its responsibility. However, no evidence or analysis has been made public to back this assertion.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >On the contrary, if the project really burns a quarter of </span><st1:city st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" >’s waste, it will directly threaten the livelihoods of a large part of the city’s informal recycling workers. Incinerators cannot burn only food waste, which is high in moisture and low in calorific value. A high proportion of plastics, paper and cardboard must be included for the incinerators to function; but these are precisely the materials which the informal sector recycles. Recognizing this threat to their livelihoods,</span><st1:city st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" >’s wastepickers have begun agitating against the project, holding multiple rallies and demanding that local and national authorities halt the project. For the first time, several waste picker rights groups have joined forces with environmental groups to challenge the project.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >On the other side, many of India’s corporate heavyweights have invested in the project, which stands to earn USD 37 million from the sale of carbon credits alone. The project proponent has a complex corporate structure enmeshing major Indian conglomerates such as IL&FS and Jindal with public bodies such as the </span><st1:place st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:placename st="on">Andhra</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Pradesh</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Technology</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Development</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" >. Clearly, these entities will profit from the waste pickers’ loss.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: medium; "><i>Carbon Credits to Increase Emissions<br /><br /></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" >By its own calculations, the Timarpur-Okhla project will reduce emissions by an average of 262,791 tons of CO</span><sub style="font-size: medium; ">2</sub><span class="Apple-style-span" > equivalent (tCO</span><sub style="font-size: medium; ">2</sub><span class="Apple-style-span" >e) per year. In comparison, </span><st1:city st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" >’s wastepickers are responsible for annual emissions reductions of approximately 962,133 tCO</span><sub style="font-size: medium; ">2</sub><span class="Apple-style-span" >e through recycling.</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn9" name="_ednref9" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[ix]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[ix] If the project burns even one-quarter of </span><st1:city st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" >’s recyclables, it will effectively wipe out its own emissions savings, resulting in no net emissions reductions. But because the CDM has not calculated the project’s impact on recycling, it will continue to award the company hundreds of thousands of spurious carbon credits – credits which do not represent real emissions reductions. The primary market for these emissions credits is </span><st1:place st="on" style="font-size: medium; ">Europe</st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" >, where companies meet their own greenhouse gas emissions targets by using such reductions. The Timarpur-Okhla will therefore contribute to an increase in European emissions. If the project captures a larger percentage of recyclables, or uses auxiliary fuel,</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn10" name="_ednref10" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[x]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[x] the situation will be even worse.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: medium; "><i>Climate Accounting Tricks<br /><br /></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" >The emissions picture worsens when biogenic emissions are taken into account. Under the CDM, it has become standard practice for companies to claim that burning biomass</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn11" name="_ednref11" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[xi]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[xi] has no net effect on the climate. Scientists have pointed out that this rule does not reflect reality – all CO</span><sub style="font-size: medium; ">2</sub><span class="Apple-style-span" >has the same effect on the atmosphere, regardless of source – and its widespread application would have disastrous consequences, including the complete deforestation of the planet.</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn12" name="_ednref12" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[xii]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[xii] Nevertheless, the CDM continues to allow companies to undercount their emissions, issuing carbon credits for emissions that were not in fact reduced. In the case of the Timarpur incinerator, only 16% of its CO</span><sub style="font-size: medium; ">2</sub><span class="Apple-style-span" > emissions from burning waste are reported, since the other 84% are assumed to be biogenic in origin.</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn13" name="_ednref13" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[xiii]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[xiii]</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: medium; "><i>Toxic Emissions Not Appreciated by Neighbors<br /><br /></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" >In its submission to the CDM, the company claimed, “the role of the local population will be as beneficiary of the project, (...)providing both direct and indirect employment opportunities to the local people. The project does not propose to displace any community, it does not have any direct conflict with the people of the region.”</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn14" name="_ednref14" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[xiv]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[xiv] In fact, the project will not only displace waste pickers, but is also facing stiff resistance from local communities which object to the siting of a waste incinerator in residential neighborhoods, within 100 meters of residences and close to 3 major hospitals.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Residents are right to be concerned; incinerators are a major source of toxic air emissions, including dioxins, mercury, heavy metals (such as lead, arsenic, etc.), particulates (including ultrafine particulates that escape filters), acid gases (hydrochloric acid and sulfur oxides) and others.</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn15" name="_ednref15" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[xv]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[xv] Even the best of modern incinerators struggle to keep emissions under control, as recent incidents in the </span><st1:country-region st="on" style="font-size: medium; ">UK</st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" >, the US and </span><st1:country-region st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">Iceland</st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" > indicate. In December 2010, a waste incinerator in Crymlyn Burrows in </span><st1:country-region st="on" style="font-size: medium; ">Wales</st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" >, </span><st1:country-region st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">U.K.</st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" >, was shut down for repeatedly breaching dioxin emission limits.</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn16" name="_ednref16" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[xvi]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[xvi] Incinerator operators in the </span><st1:country-region st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" > are currently paying millions of dollars in fines and court settlements for breaches of emissions law.</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn17" name="_ednref17" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[xvii]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[xvii] In </span><st1:country-region st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">Iceland</st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" >, incinerators have been identified as the source of wide-spread contamination of meat and dairy products.</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn18" name="_ednref18" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[xviii]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[xviii]</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >In </span><st1:city st="on" style="font-size: medium; ">Delhi</st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" >’s case, there is suspicion that the Okhla facility will not even have any modern emissions-control technology installed: its total price tag ofINR 200 crores (USD 45 million) is a fraction that of a RDF incinerator one-third as large in </span><st1:place st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:city st="on">Rostock</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" > (USD 140 million).</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn19" name="_ednref19" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[xix]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[xix]</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >In 2009, local residents filed a lawsuit to stop the construction of the plants, based on numerous violations of national environmental laws. The public hearing was so poorly announced that not a single person attended; the Environmental Impact Assessment has been lost, or perhaps was never filed; and the project has grown from a 15 MW plant to 21 MW after approval. Perhaps most ominously, the company claimed in its Detailed Project Report (DPR) to generate RDF with a calorific value of 2000 kcal but later revised the figure to 800-1300 kcal in its bid documents. This is slightly above the value of the waste that was supplied to the old plant, which failed to burn. Based on this crucial revelation, the MNRE noted on 29 May 2008 that “this will necessitate that a fresh DPR is prepared as not only will the actual quantity of MSW required to be processed be different but also the basic parameters of all the equipment will change.” However, no new DPR has been released.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: medium; "><i>Gaming Two Systems<br /><br /></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" >Despite these flagrant violations of national law, the project is moving forward with the full support of the state government. In a recent public meeting, the Chief Minster of </span><st1:city st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" >dismissed the environmental concerns raised by the residents of Okhla, citing assurances given by her bureaucrats and the project proponents. Finally, the national Ministry of Environment and Forests stepped in, flagging the project for review and appointing a special committee to investigate. But as the Minister himself observed, the company has already sunk too much money into the project to risk cancellation. In this manner, national laws are voided by the </span><i style="font-size: medium; ">fait accompli</i><span class="Apple-style-span" > of simply constructing a plant. Similarly, the CDM is on track to award carbon credits to a project that meets none of the requirements – because failing to do so would endanger “investor confidence” in the carbon market mechanism.</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn20" name="_ednref20" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[xx]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[xx] The Timarpur-Okhla RDF incinerator is an example of how major corporate firms are pushing technology-driven approaches to climate mitigation that harm the poor, increase emissions, and undermine the rule of law – but result in handsome profits for the private sector.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: medium; "><i>Alternatives<br /><br /></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" >Fortunately, alternatives to waste sector privatization do exist. Wastepicker groups in other parts of </span><st1:country-region st="on" style="font-size: medium; "><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" >, notably Mumbai and Pune, have had success in establishing source-separation schemes for municipal waste with the cooperation and support of local government. The organics, which comprise 70% or more of the waste,</span><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm#_edn21" name="_ednref21" title="" style="font-size: medium; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">[xxi]</a><span class="Apple-style-span" >[xxi] are composted or processed into biogas, avoiding the methane emissions problem while creating a second income stream, and the recyclables are returned to industry for re-manufacture. Such models are win-win situations for local residents, municipal authorities and the urban poor; but leave little room for participation by major multinational firms.</span><br /><br /><i style="font-size: medium; ">The authors work with the Global <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Alliance</st1:place></st1:city> for Incinerator Alternatives <<a href="http://www.no-burn.org/" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">www.no-burn.org</a>>, a worldwide alliance of more than 500 grassroots groups, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in over 80 countries whose ultimate vision is a just, toxic-free world without incineration.</i></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium; "><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><a href="http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/climate/info.service/2011/climate20110602.htm"><br /><br /></a></span></i></span></div></div>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-60047148112761083152011-06-07T22:59:00.001-07:002011-06-07T23:02:40.848-07:00Our addiction to PLASTICS<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>by Dharmesh Shah</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>as Published in The Ritz, Chennai</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; "><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; ">It is hard to imagine life without plastics. It is fascinating how a material once unknown to man has over a century become the most ubiquitous. Plastics are now known to exist in all corners of the world. In the ocean discarded plastics have found their way into the ocean and formed an island known as the Great Garbage Patch in the <st1:place st="on">Pacific Ocean</st1:place>. The patch is the size of <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state> and is known to contain nearly 3.5 million tons of plastics trash. Beaches around the world are littered with plastic debris even the uninhabited ones discovered recently by explorers. Once in the ocean it can kill or injure animals though entanglement or ingestion.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana">All technologies currently available to dispose plastics are known to cause irreparable long term damage to the environment. Incineration causes toxic emissions like dioxins and furans which cause cancer and hormonal imbalance among children. Burying also known as landfilling prolongs the impacts and shifts the burden on future generations. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana">Yet this is not enough to wean us off our addiction. Plastics have made life extremely convenient and it is just asking for too much to give them up. But the impacts are clear – from depleting crude resources to the toxins in the environment to our unmanageable garbage heaps. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana">There are several facts and myths that influence the way we use and dispose plastics. To address our plastic woes we need to understand plastics, its life and certain misconceptions around it. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Verdana">What are Plastics? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana">Plastics are made from crude oil with the help of certain chemical that give them the solid form. There are two basic types of plastic: <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">thermosetting</span> and <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">thermoplastics</span>. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Thermosetting</span> plastics are set to a permanent shape and cannot be softened. These plastics are used primarily for multiple use items, such as dishes and furniture. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Thermoplastics</span> are soft when exposed to heat and pressure and harden when cooled. Thermoplastics are the most common type of plastic and are used to make a variety of products like water bottles, tubs, buckets etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Verdana">Where does it go?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana">Plastics do not degrade readily because their content is not digestible by microorganisms. If they are not picked up for disposal in landfills then they travel through air and water and accumulate in low areas and water bodies. Even in landfills where they are rightfully destined to go, plastics remain unchanged for hundreds of years causing environmental hazards for the future generations. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Verdana">I recycle!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana">Plastics are only down-cyclable, which means that they can only be processed into things of lesser quality, degrading with each cycle to be eventually dumped into the environment when of no further use. Unfortunately, recycling has been used as a vehicle by the industry to defeat the beating virgin plastic industry has taken as a result of the environmental impacts of excessive plastic use. This does not mean that we stop recycling as it still supports a huge informal work force and it does help the environment in some way. But recycling is not enough, it can never be enough. Even with a fairly robust recycling system in place the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> recycles only 5% of its total plastic waste. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana">The plastic menace is a product of our linear market system that follows the pattern of extraction, manufacture, use and disposal with no emphasis on putting things back into the system or efforts to review lifestyles. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana">The way out of our plastic woes are several but it calls for a little unlearning of the ways in which we have learned to live with plastics.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; "><span style="position: absolute; z-index: 1; "></span></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><div shape="_x0000_s1026" class="shape" style="padding-top: 4.35pt; padding-right: 7.95pt; padding-bottom: 4.35pt; padding-left: 7.95pt; "><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; ">1. Reduce the use - </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Source reduction Retailers and consumers can select products that use little or no packaging. Select packaging materials that are recycled into new packaging - such as glass and paper. If people refuse plastic as a packaging material, the industry will decrease production for that purpose, and the associated problems such as energy use, pollution, and adverse health effects will diminish.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; "><br /><b>2. Reuse containers - </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Since refillable plastic containers can be reused about 25 times, container reuse can lead to a substantial reduction in the demand for disposable plastic, and reduced use of materials and energy, with the consequent reduced environmental impacts. Container designers will take into account the fate of the container beyond the point of sale and consider the service the container provides. "Design for service" differs sharply from "design for disposal".</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; "><br /><b>3. Require producers to take back resins - </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Get plastic manufacturers directly involved with plastic disposal and closing the material loop, which can stimulate them to consider the product’s life cycle from cradle to grave. Make reprocessing easier by limiting the number of container types and shapes, using only one type of resin in each container, making collapsible containers, eliminating pigments, using water-dispersible adhesives for labels, and phasing out associated metals such as aluminum seals. Container and resin makers can help develop the reprocessing infrastructure by taking back plastic from consumers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; "><br /><b>4. Legislatively require recycled content - </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Requiring that all containers be composed of a percentage of post-consumer material reduces the amount of virgin material consumed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; "><br />5. Standardize labeling and inform the public - </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">The chasing arrows symbol on plastics is an example of an ambiguous and misleading label. Significantly different standardized labels for "recycled," "recyclable," and "made of plastic type X" must be developed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; "><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; ">Source: International Plastics Task Force<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p> <!--[endif]--><span style="font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span><p></p>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-92195101824788762352011-06-07T22:23:00.000-07:002011-06-07T22:25:41.123-07:00WASTED AWAY!!<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>by Dharmesh Shah (Published in Times Property, Chennai June 4 2011)</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Climate Change, rainforest destruction, oil spills, financial crisis, inflation – these are some issues that bother us the most about the state of our civilization and also concern us about our collective fate on the planet. But these issues evade our interventions because they are distant and often out of our control. However, there are things each one of us can do everyday that can lead to larger changes and impact things that seem way out of our league.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" >One such thing is waste; yes waste. Waste connects all aspects of modern life; and its collective mismanagement is now leading to a crisis on several fronts. Nature makes no waste; it is solely a product of our civilization, a result of resource mismanagement that is connected to all that is now wrong with the planet. Our society currently runs within a linear framework where resources are extracted from the earth, processed in factories and disposed into landfills or incinerated. This clearly causes a huge burden on natural resources and environment but also on the economy. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" >According to the World Bank, the urban areas of <st1:place st="on">Asia</st1:place> now spend about US$25 billion on solid waste management per year; this figure will increase to at least US$50 billion in 2025. Today’s daily waste generation rate is about 760,000 tonnes. By 2025, this rate will be increased to about 1.8 million tonnes per day.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" >That is indeed a mammoth problem. How can I change anything, the skeptic in you might ask? Waste is a social issue demanding social fixes but our policy makers are desperately seeking technological fixes. For instance, the Chennai Corporation has proposed two “Refuse Derived Fuel” (RDF) facilities at the city’s two largest waste landfills at Kodungaiyur and Perungudi. These facilities propose to covert the waste into bricks that can be used as co-fuel (along with coal) at cement kilns/industrial boilers or like in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city> to incinerate and covert the “Waste to Energy” (WTE). </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Why is this bad? It takes care of our waste and resolves our energy security issues. Proposals like these not only undermine the need for recycling and our transition towards a low waste future but also further compounds the social and environmental challenges currently posed by the waste sector. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The gravest concern about incineration is its environmental fallouts. Waste incinerators are a major source of toxic emissions that include volatile organic gases and heavy metals. They are also among the top 5 sources of dioxin emissions worldwide. According to WHO Dioxins are environmental pollutants that have the dubious distinction of belonging to the “dirty dozen” - a group of dangerous chemicals known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Dioxins are of concern because of their highly toxic potential known to cause cancers even in low doses among exposed populations.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Both RDF and WTE are technologies that burn waste that can otherwise be recycled and brought back into use. When discarded materials are recycled, they provide industry with an alternative source of raw materials from which to make new products. This results in less demand for virgin materials whose extraction, transport and processing are a major source of Greenhouse Gas emissions. While WTE incinerators capture some of the energy embodied in materials that they burn, recycling the same materials conserves three to five times as much energy. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Further, in countries like <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, these projects compete for the same resources that support waste pickers. Waste picking is the choice of livelihood for over 15 million urban poor worldwide – 1% of the population in the developing world. By commissioning RDF and WTE projects the government literally snatches these livelihoods and serves them on a platter to companies. This most often is done without any roadmap for rehabilitation, hence further depriving the poorest of the poor.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Clearly, our waste woes need psychological analysis not technology, a compete overhaul of the way we think about waste. Each one of us needs to partake in the process starting with segregation of the waste at home. Then locate the local waste picker/Kabariwala and hand your waste to him directly. Finally, if possible, start your own compost. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" >And if you still need perspective about the magnitude of the problem take a tour to Kodungaiyur (north Chennai) or Perungudi (south Chennai).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></p>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-69511203368704497172011-06-07T10:48:00.000-07:002011-07-10T21:41:58.016-07:00The Plastic Waste Rules 2011 – A baby step instead of a giant leap.<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">- Dharmesh Shah<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The plastic consumption in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, as per estimate in 2008 by CPCB was 8 million tons/annum, out of which about 5.7 million tons of plastics are converted into waste annually i.e. 15,722 tons of plastic waste, is generated per day. Of this, approximately 6289 tons per day (TPD) i.e. 40% of plastics are neither collected, nor recycled and find their way into drains, open lands, rivers, railway tracks and coasts<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn1" href="file:///E:/Desktop%20new/Review%20of%20the%20Indian%20Plastic%20Waste.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; ">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Recognizing the magnitude of the problem, in February 2011 the Ministry of Environment and Forests notified the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011. These rules propose to address the growing environmental crisis caused by the mismanagement of plastic wastes within the country. Despite some progressive provisions like integration of waste pickers in the collection systems and a ban on manufacture/use of bags below 40 microns; the rules seem like baby steps at a juncture when a leap frog approach is required. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Some of the salient features of the rules are:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Sachets using plastic material shall not be used for storing, packaging or selling of tobacco and gutkha.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Municipal authorities should engage agencies or groups working in waste management including waste pickers into the system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Use of recycled plastics or compostable plastics for storing, carrying or packing foodstuffs is prohibited. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Plastic carry bags of less than 40 microns in thickness are banned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">No carry bags shall be made available free of cost to consumers. The municipal authority may by notification determine the minimum price for plastic carry bags.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The municipal<a href="http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/DOC070211-005.pdf"></a> authority can ask the manufacturers to establish plastic waste collection centres, either collectively or individually, in line with the principle of ‘Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR)’. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Marking or labeling provisions that mandate manufacturers to print the name, registration number and thickness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">EPR as a fig leaf!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Upon comparison with the recommendations of the Expert Committee constituted to examine the draft rules<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn2" href="file:///E:/Desktop%20new/Review%20of%20the%20Indian%20Plastic%20Waste.doc#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; ">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>; it is clear that the notified rules have suffered primarily due to the intervention of the plastic and packaging industry that has forced the dilution or removal of certain key recommendations of the expert committee. The rules are being hailed principally for its provision on EPR. In its report “to Evolve Road Map on Waste Management in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> (March 2010)”, the expert committee recommended the following responsibilities for Manufacturers and Processors:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Paying for<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>both recyclable & non-recyclable<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>plastics and their ultimate waste management options<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Providing incentives for adopting non-burn and novel technologies for non-recyclables.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Undertaking mandatory responsibility of producers for R&D activities on plastic waste mitigation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">In a rather weak interpretation of the term EPR, the rules ultimately restrict the role of the manufactures to providing the required finance to establish collection centers in lines with the “principles of EPR”. This effectively means that the manufacturers can now get away with making a small contribution and not be inconvenienced with the responsibility of managing the waste it creates. Thus the onus of management eventually falls upon the urban local bodies that have already displayed adequate inefficiency in waste management. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">No Penalties<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Though the guidelines of use and disposal of plastics are clearly laid out, there are no penalties within the rules for violations, rendering the whole legislation toothless against violators. However, violations can be prosecuted in a convoluted manner through the Environment Protection Act, under which these rules are notified. An avenue to strengthen the rules is at the state level where the central rules will be used as guidelines to sketch out stronger state rules. Public interest groups and environmental organizations can use the opportunity to work with respective state governments in strengthening the local Plastic Waste rules.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Exporting Harm<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The restrictions on manufacture and use of plastic sachets and bags less than 40 microns prescribed under Section 5 of the rules are not applicable to exporters. Included after the suggestion of the Commerce Ministry, this provision further weakens the rules as it does not consider the ground realities. With the dismal monitoring mechanism in place the leakage of the export designated carry bags into the domestic markets cannot be contained. Secondly, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> needs to make ethical considerations on exporting such products to other countries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">End of the Pipeline clauses<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Conversely, the rules also contains one of the most regressive provisions - Section 6(h) of the rules state “municipal authorities shall encourage the use of plastic waste by adopting suitable technology such as in road construction, co-incineration etc.” This is an extremely short sighted provision that fails to recognize the environmental damage caused by plastic incineration. The market uses a wide array of materials including toxic ones like Vinyl and in the absence of any collection and segregation system for different kinds of plastics excluding them before co-incineration is impossible. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Using plastics for laying roads is yet another toxic and end of the pipeline solution resorted to in a desperate attempt to dispose plastics. Because the plastics only melt in the process (and are not destroyed); use of plastics in road laying is similar to creating open landfills that will eventually disintegrate and be much harder to contain. Secondly, it is a common sight to see unmasked and bare handed migrant workers engaged in road laying across <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>, if plastics are included in the process it would only further expose these workers to extremely toxic emissions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Decentralized monitoring<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">A positive feature of the rules is that there is an earnest attempt to decentralize the monitoring, enforcement and implementation. To monitor its implementation, a State Level Advisory Body consisting of experts, NGO, academics and government has to be formed under the aegis of the Department of Urban Development. The state Pollution control Boards/Committees are responsible for reporting on the implementation of the rules to the Central Pollution Control Board which in turn has to present a consolidated annual report to the government. The involvement of multiple agencies might ensure better efficiency and greater accountability in the functioning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Informal sector<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The most positive aspect of the rules is the inclusion of waste pickers in to the system. The Plastic Waste rules are the first to legally recognize waste pickers and will go a long way in ensuring that the rights of the informal workers within the sector are secured.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">At a stage where we are discovering islands of plastic in the ocean and when cities are inundated because of plastic clogged drains – we need to think unreasonably. The Plastic Waste Rules 2011 are disappointing for curbing the “plastic menace” realistically. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <div style="mso-element:footnote-list"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><hr align="left" width="33%"> <!--[endif]--> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn1"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn1" href="file:///E:/Desktop%20new/Review%20of%20the%20Indian%20Plastic%20Waste.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Report of the Committee to Evolve Road Map on Management of Wastes in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> – MoEF, March 2010 - <a href="http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/Roadmap-Mgmt-Waste.pdf">http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/Roadmap-Mgmt-Waste.pdf</a></span></p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn2"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn2" href="file:///E:/Desktop%20new/Review%20of%20the%20Indian%20Plastic%20Waste.doc#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Report of the Expert Committee to examine the comments and suggestions including economic instruments in the draft Plastics (Manufacture, Usage and Waste Management) Rules, 2009 <a href="http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/draft-plastic-rules-2009.pdf">http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/draft-plastic-rules-2009.pdf</a></span></p> </div></div>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-50519990987772592612011-06-07T10:41:00.000-07:002011-06-07T10:46:09.269-07:00Phnom Penh's Wastepickers and Solid Waste Management<span class="Apple-style-span"><h2 style="padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; ">Heng Yon Kora and CSARO</span></h2><h2 style="font-weight: bold; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">AIW Newsletter May 2011</span></span></h2><h2 style="padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; ">Cambodia:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; "> Phnom Penh city is the capital of the Cambodian Kingdom and has a population of around 3 million. The city generates 1,500 Tonnes of waste on an average per day out of which 70% is wet waste and 30% is dry. Like in Indian cities, Phnom Penh's informal wastepickers collect waste from households, commercial establishments, streets, landfills, markets, containers and sell recyclables to scrap depots.Citizens separate waste into wet and dry at home, and pay CINTRI - a private company engaged for primary collection of waste, a monthly user fee ranging from 1US$-5US$ for the service. The Phnom Penh Waste Management Authority (PPWMA) transports the waste from the container to the landfill in Dangkor, also known as 'Stung Mean Chey' or 'Smokey Mountain'.Rapid population growth and inadequate, dilapidated infrastructure and services are making solid waste management in Phnom Penh a growing problem. Generation of waste in volumes greater than ever before, inefficiencies in the waste management system due to under-financing and poor management, result in waste often being thrown on roadsides, vacant land and into drainage canals within the city leading to health and environmental problems for the city. Dumping at Stung Meanchey began over 15 years ago and the landfill has reached the end of its operable life. New locations are being sought for another landfill which is expected to take a few years.2,000 registered wastepickers, including 600 child wastepickers, work at the landfill, sifting through the waste that arrives each day. Wastepickers have to pay 1.50 US$ to 2.00 US$ per day to the Dumping Manager of the Phnom Penh Municipality to gain access to waste. Working conditions at the landfill are dangerous and fires are a frequent phenomenon. Contamination of a nearby pond due to leachate seeping from the dumping ground and high air pollution are other hazards.A study of the socio-economic, working and living conditions of waste pickers in Phnom Penh revealed that 51% wastepickers are below 18 years of age, and 35% are below 15 years of age. Majority of the wastepickers are male; over a third of wastepickers households are female-headed households and the community comes from impoverished backgrounds, consisting of mostly landless migrants from rural areas.Literacy levels are just below the estimated national average of 65%, but much lower than the estimated urban average literacy of 78%. Many children claim to attend school but 68% work seven or more hours a day.Most wastepickers have little or no protection against injury and infections occurring while working. Over 80% of wastepickers interviewed for the study had suffered from some illness or injury in the previous month and 61% said they treated themselves when ill, only 1% attempted to see a doctor.The poverty line for Phnom Penh was set at approximately $111 per month per family by a World Bank Study. The wastepickers study findings indicate that 74% wastepicker families survive on less than $50 per month, which means they are well below the poverty line.Most wastepickers live in houses made of palm leaves or wood, without access to basic sanitation and half of them live on rent, without electricity. 64% households are compelled to buy water from vendors as only 2.6% have access to piped water.Most recyclables collected in Phnom Penh are processed by depots to reduce their weight and then shipped abroad for recycling. Except for beer and sauce bottles and certain types of plastic, other recyclables are exported to Thailand, Vietnam, and China.Community Sanitation And Recycling Organisation (CSARO) through many years of working with Phnom Penh's wastepicker's has listed certain basic needs that wastepickers believe must be addressed, such as protection of their human rights, food security, health facilities, shelter for wastepickers, education scholarships for their children, access to loans and protecting their livelihoods from external threats and an end to discrimination.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; "></span></span></h2><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />CSARO wastecollectors in Phnom Penh, Cambodia</span><p align="center" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(80, 80, 80); font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; "><b></b></p></span>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-78185579971023495952011-06-07T10:25:00.000-07:002011-06-07T10:55:48.831-07:00Zero Waste Electoral Ward Initiative – Katraj Gaon<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><h2 style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "></span></h2></span><div><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>by Anjor Bhaskar </b></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; " ><p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; "><b>Source: Alliance of Indian Waste Pickers Newsletter - May 2011</b></p><p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; "><b>Pune: </b>In a bid to provide a comprehensive solution to the waste problem, several agencies have joined hands to create a model Zero Waste Electoral Ward in Pune city. The idea behind it is to create a working model to show how every discarded item can be recycled or disposed in the best possible manner.</p><p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; ">The aim of the project is to tackle the problems of inequity and poverty in the city by engaging wastepickers and ensuring dignity of labour and fair wages. It envisions a zero waste model, different from the centralized, capital intensive models proposed by numerous private entities working in waste management.</p><p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; ">The impetus for the project came through the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) ban on plastic bags which the plastic industry argued against, saying that plastic bags constituted a very small proportion of the city's waste. They claimed that plastic was perfectly recyclable, and that the problem of plastic waste was due to inefficient waste management rather than due to plastic itself.</p><p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; ">Janwani - an NGO got together agencies such as Cummins India, SWaCH, MITCON, Kirloskar and Maharashtra Plastic Manufacturers Association (MPMA) to work towards a common goal and support the project. Cummins India is sponsoring the project as well as providing volunteers for generating awareness. Mr. Lalit Rathi, MPMA is helping establish systems for collecting and processing dry waste, particularly plastics. SWaCH has employed wastepickers to collect segregated waste from households and ensuring it reaches the secondary collection system while PMC is providing support in various ways.</p><p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; ">An electoral ward is the smallest administrative unit in Pune and Katraj Gaon is among the largest wards in terms of area and population with nearly 12,000 establishments and a blend of high and low income - residential and commercial units, consisting of high income apartment complexes, individual bungalows, housing societies, industries, factories, shops, slums as well as a rural area, which served well for a pilot of a model ward as, if a sustainable zero waste system is successfully put to test in such an area, its replicability would be high.</p><p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; ">A supportive Ward office, two existing biogas plants, a composting unit and adequate space for sorting sheds, a wet waste pelletization plant were additional bonuses of doing the pilot in Katraj.</p><p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; ">Today 7,500 establishments in the ward give 9 tons of waste daily to wastepickers. Nearly 3 tons of wet waste segregated by wastepickers is sent to biogas plants. The burning and dumping of waste on open plots and public spaces has also reduced considerably. Dry waste collection has also gone up as a result of the efforts and a lot more dry waste is now being sold for recycling. A substantial amount of waste consisting of dry non-saleable and low value waste and mixed waste however, still has to be sent to the landfill.</p><p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; ">Two months on, the project has shown progress but faces challenges such as an insufficient number of wastepickers willing to engage in DTDC work on the city's fringes, ensuring 100% coverage and segregation by citizens, coordinating between the primary and secondary collection systems, political issues. Overcoming these hurdles will be fundamental in establishing a sustainable, decentralized wastepicker friendly system for replication pan India.</p></span></div></div>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6541652588893444993.post-51310364836398664462011-05-31T10:19:00.000-07:002011-06-07T10:38:09.828-07:00Use and Throw! Is there no way out of the mess?<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; ">Dharmesh Shah</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; ">Last week after the yearly house cleaning we ended up with two cartons full of unwanted stuff and like most people we had no option but chucking it into the green curb-side bins. The garbage truck arrived at the same time and unloaded the entire bin into the compressor along with all my stuff. Now I knew that a lot of it, though absolutely useless to me, was still worth saving or putting to better use. I slipped into a momentary nostalgia and summoned up the call of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Kabariwala</i> on a tricycle who would come home to collect discards. I still do see the occasional <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Kabariwala</i> but I had also found myself easily adapted to the convenient use and throw lifestyle. However, I decided to follow the truck out of curiosity to see where all my stuff was going to end up.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana">After a long ride on my motor bike, past the incongruous IT corridor, I reached, Perungudi in the Pallikaranai marshlands of <st1:place st="on">South Chennai</st1:place>. I remembered reading about the Pallikaranai marshlands on Wikipedia. Once spread over 5000 hectares, it is one of South India’s last remaining freshwater wet land networks ecologically assigned the task of storing and replenishing the ground water for the city of Chennai. The marshland is also rich in biodiversity and supports a variety of flora and fauna. Nearly, 61 species of plants, 106 species of birds, 50 species of fish and 21 species of reptiles are found here. Many of them are endemic (exclusively found) to Pallikaranai marshes. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana">The final resting place for my waste was a 250 acre plot within the marshlands where most of what I threw would remain buried for several thousand years. The city of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chennai</st1:place></st1:city> generates nearly 3500 metric tonnes of waste per day, which eats into a bit of the marshland every day. It was a real mess and what really perplexed me was that as a nation we were building the biggest dams and laying the longest highways but failing miserably when it came to simple task of “potty training”. What could be more ironical for a water starved city like Chennai where we abuse our local water banks and then spend millions on piping water from far flung villages? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana">Garbage dumps like Perungudi forms a part of all urban landscapes across <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, often remaining strategically ousted from the municipal limits of a city. On the outskirts of a city the waste becomes the black man’s burden, to be borne by communities marginalized from economics or in the case of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> those ousted from religion. The areas surrounding Perungudi are perpetually surrounded by a veil of toxic* smoke belching out of the smoldering garbage and the smell of putrefying food hugs the air 24x7. Yet, I could see thousands of people living around Pallikaranai and several hundreds rummaging through the garbage piles eking a living out of what I threw out. On a social level, the implications of such waste-racism are far fetched. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana">I soon began reading about the politics of waste and made astonishing connections between everything that is wrong with the environment. Our lifestyles, obviously, takes the biggest blame because we are trying to run a non-recyclable system on a planet with limited resources. Plastics are a classic example, where fossil oil is converted into a something that the earth cannot recycle or consume, hence breaking the very cycle of life on which everything depends. Plastic waste is posing to be the biggest man made environmental challenge. On land they wreak havoc by chocking water bodies and causing floods and in the ocean they cause unimaginable destruction. In 1988 scientists discovered what they termed as the ‘Pacific Trash Vortex’ or the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, in the <st1:place st="on">North Pacific Ocean</st1:place>. The Patch, characterized by exceptionally high concentrations of plastics, chemical sludge, and other debris trapped by ocean currents, is the as big as the continental <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Samples of marine life from the patch show the presence of plastics at the microscopic level, ie; inside the bodies of zooplanktons.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana">It is certainly an overwhelming problem, especially for people who are concerned about the future of the planet and looking for ways to make a difference. Fortunately, in the context of waste, it is fairly simple to achieve sustenance with 3 simple thumb rules – <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana">Phase out plastics</span></u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Verdana"> – Always be conscious of what you buy and refuse disposable plastics in any form. Once the demand for plastic declines producers will be forced to explore other packaging.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana">Segregate at Source</span></u><span style="font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Verdana"> – Always separate your wet (kitchen) waste from your dry waste. This makes the plastics, papers and metals in the waste re-usable/recyclable hence reducing the burden on extractive processes like mining and drilling.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana">Compost</span></u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Verdana"> – Composting is easy and fun. This will offset your carbon footprint by several hundred tons. There are fabulous online guides like <a href="http://www.dailydump.org/">www.dailydump.org</a> which give a spoon-fed introduction to composting. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family: Verdana">Adopting these methods require very little re-thinking but will have a far reaching effect in saving the planet not just for ourselves but for our children too.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; "><span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 24px; "><span><span style="line-height: 24px; font-family: Verdana; ">Published in Ritz Magazine, Chennai</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 24px; "><span><span style="line-height: 24px; font-family: Verdana; ">----------------------------------------------------------</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: justify; line-height: 24px; "><span><span style="line-height: 24px; font-family: Verdana; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">* An air sample at Perungudi revealed the presence of nearly 27 toxic chemicals including 3 that cause cancer among humans.</span></span></p><p></p>Dharmeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17376558298433325792noreply@blogger.com0