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| Garbage trucks dumping waste in Mittaganahalli landfill in Bengaluru. Photo credit: The Hindu |
Landfills, the backbone of waste disposal systems, are designated sites engineered to safely dispose of waste by burying it under layers of soil.
Unlike unlined dumps of the past, modern landfills are equipped with liners and systems to manage leachate (toxic liquid runoff) and methane gas emissions, aiming to protect groundwater and air quality.
Waste is compacted and covered daily to reduce odour, pests, and litter, and capped when full, allowing for repurposing as parks or other spaces.
IN BENGALURU
Currently, Bengaluru relies heavily on the Mittaganahalli landfill, located 40 km from the city, to handle over 3,000 tonnes of waste daily.
Other landfills within the city — Subbarayanapalya, Seegehalli, and Lingadeeranahalli — have ceased operations.
Mitaganahalli now bears the brunt of Bengaluru's waste problem, which is escalating; the city generates around 6,000 to 6,500 metric tons of waste daily, a figure projected to double to 13,911 tonnes by 2031.
CHALLENGES
Plenty of them:
- Toxic leachate from decomposing waste has contaminated groundwater, severely impacting borewells and posing health risks for residents.
- Mixed waste disposal has led to unbearable stench, health issues from pests, and a surge in stray animal populations.
- Protests and blockades by residents concerned about environmental hazards have disrupted waste disposal across the city.
- Delays in constructing essential facilities like leachate treatment plants exacerbate environmental and health challenges.
SOLUTIONS
- Segregation at Source. This is happening. But not followed by everyone as it should be.
- Decentralised processing: These can reduce transportation costs and environmental impact.
- Strengthen recycling programmes: Better sorting facilities and incentives for recycling can help.
- Encourage composting: Using curbside collections and community compost centres can reduce landfill dependency.
- Enforce regulations: Guidelines are there. But not enforced as strictly as they should be.
- Private sector collaboration: Governments can't do everything. Get help from private companies for recycling technologies and waste management.
- Raise public awareness: In the long run, this will yield results.
SOLUTIONS ACHIEVABLE
Bengaluru's waste challenges are complex, but the solutions are achievable with concerted efforts from residents, authorities, and businesses.
By adopting sustainable waste management practices, the city can not only mitigate environmental harm but also set a precedent for other urban centres grappling with similar issues.
Bengaluru provides software solutions to the world, and I can't believe it's struggling to find solutions for better waste management.
(This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. The theme is environment)
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteYour last comment is so true - the fact that many places that have such technical advancement can still be socially challenged is one of the great dichotomies. As a species we are so arrogant about our standing in the hierarchy of earth's residents, forgetting that we are its biggest pest! In being so, we become our own threat... The infrastructure to deal with sheer numbers of us are creaking everywhere! YAM xx
Ah yes, what to do with our waste. Such a complex issue.
ReplyDelete