New Delhi: In a first for the Capital, SDMC's Janakpuri South ward has set an example for the rest of Delhi by achieving 100 per cent solid waste segregation at the household level. All the 29 colonies with nearly 10,000 households in Janakpuri's ward number 16(S) have found a way to inculcate the habit of segregating waste at the source into their daily lives.
According to data put out by the SDMC, almost 10.5-ton waste from the ward was segregated at source between April 23 and May 10, with the community achieving a 100 per cent score finally on May 11. This data clearly points towards the changing attitudes of residents about waste management, cleanliness, and environmental issues arising out of disorganised garbage disposal. Residents have become used to the idea of segregating waste at the source, thus encouraging recycling and reuse of waste to a great extent.
In fact, Resident Welfare Associations in all the 29 colonies have been constantly urging and guiding residents in their areas to properly go through solid waste segregation and how to process wet waste at their households. As a result, wet waste is being converted to manure and reducing the amount that needs to be transported. The municipality said that nearly 3-ton wet waste is being processed in this manner on a daily basis. The SDMC said that it is saving up to Rs 8,000 on a daily basis, with annual savings estimated at Rs 29 lakh, as a consequence of such environment-friendly methods.
As part of encouraging the work of municipality staff that has led to such results, the SDMC awarded a number of "paryavaran sainiks", rag pickers, and RWA office bearers with certificates of appreciation. SDMC Additional Commissioner Umesh Tyagi noted the role of municipal-level workers in achieving this feat, while Deputy Commissioner Purva Garg reminded all community stakeholders to continue their efforts for cleanliness as "swachhata needs to be integrated as part of habit".