Delhi and Noida, like many cities in India, suffers from inefficient Municipal Waste Management and the main problem is lack of waste management plan and lack of involvement of different stakeholders in systematizing waste collection and disposal. In response to this need, IPCA has launched a project “S.O.R.T.” (Segregation of Organic-Waste for Recycling and Treatment) supported by Swarn Lata Motherson Trust in Delhi/NCR. In this project waste will be minimized by source segregation and composting through a Sustainable Approach of Solid Waste Management.

Aim of the project

The project is conceptualized with the aim of maximizing the utilization of resources to reduce waste, which would indirectly result in less air, water and soil pollution, reduce pressure onlandfill sites and reduce cost on transportation. The principal objectives of the project is to motivate community participation in qualitative segregation of waste to increase recycling rate ofwaste material and enable operation of Aerobin for composting of organic household waste to minimize the pressure on landfill or informal dumpsite.

Project Locale

• Sunshine Helios, Sector 78, Noida
• Saket Dham, Sector 61, Noida
• Indraprastha Villa, Sector61, Noida
• Pocket B, SFS Flats, Mayur Vihar, Phase 3, Delhi
• New Friends Colony, Delhi
• Delhi Officer Flats, GK 1, Delhi
   

Project Activities

• Preliminary KAP Study: In order to understand the gravity of solid waste management in the city we conducted a preliminary KAP study focusing on the current waste management Knowledge, Attitude and Practices. This study carried out through observation, questionnaires and interactions with different stakeholders in 30 days. This formed the preliminary foundation for the evolution of a co-operative strategy.
• Workshop / Training for all stakeholders (Residents, Maids/Servants and Wastecollectors): In order to mobilize and increase the awareness of the people towards efficient waste management training programs on source segregation of waste are conducted for each target group of stakeholders which would be monitored regularly. IPCA has developed training modules and motivational IEC materials which are distributed the community. IPCA also organizes training and education program for the maids and servants of residents. Since the ultimate responsibility of disposal rests on sanitary staff including waste pickers, IPCA would regularly liaise with the Sanitary staff with a view towards educating them on health issues during handling of waste and health prevention measures, Improvement on collection system including redesigning of collection vehicle, Composting of bio-degradable through Aerobin
• Street Plays: To educated and aware people in more interactive and interesting way, street plays are organized at different project locations. The plays are performed by a professional team of IPCA, in which they explained about the waste management problem, source segregation etc.
• Workshops in Schools: Besides training of various stakeholders, IPCA also creates awareness on source segregation and waste management practices in schools through talks, speeches, and students rally and motivate the school students to become ambassadors to create mass awareness.
• Volunteering: IPCA has created a team of volunteers from different sections of the society including educational institutes, corporate, and residents for the awareness of waste management practices. IPCA also organizes training of volunteer to ensure the messaging of right communication.
• Installation, operation & maintenance of Aerobins: Aerobin has been installed at the identified locations and in consultation with the RWA and other competent authorities. This Aerobins will convert organic waste into compost within 40 days in a hygienic and environment friendly way. Aerobin operators have been hired at each project site to properly operate and maintain the Aerobins.
• Visit to waste processing sites: To know where our wastes go, visit to landfill sites, recycling centre, Dry waste collection centre, waste pickers’ homes (to know who recycles dry wastes!) are organized under the project.
• Harvesting of compost: Compost is harvested at end of each cycle of composting and is handed over to society RWA.