Segregation and composting of wet waste is essential to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfills and recyclable waste going to ’kabadiwalas’ or recyclers. While waste segregation is a mandate for the MCG Sanitation Department, its implementation in DLF areas seems like a far-fetched dream.
What better way to bring this to fruition than through an initiative by the residents themselves?
Aawaz Volunteers Group took the initiative and started compo-sting all dry leaves collected around the park, inviting Q-block residents to be part of the project. This pilot project began on May 26, 2024, at the Q-block park. Many residents, along with Aawaz members, participated in the pilot run.
The Aawaz team had shared the project’s intent and benefits with the residents a few weeks earlier and successfully raised funds to one-time purchase four iron netted bins for dumping dry leaves. These bins are expected to last for 5-6 years.
Process:
1. All dry leaves collected will be put in these bins. Park Mali will sprinkle water in these bins on alternate days.
2. More leaves will be added daily till the bin is filled.
3. The compost /khad are expected to be generated in 60-90 days.
4. This is a continuous process of dumping dry leaves in bins from the top and taking out the composed (khaad) from bins from the down gate.
5. This khaad can be used in parks / even by residents in their house gardens.
6. This project will be extended in other Q block lanes also to stack all leaves falling in the neighbourhood. For this more bins will be required. Residents of Q block have shown interest in participating and are ready to contribute.
Advantages of this Activity: As you are aware, accumulations of dry leaves all over the DLF Phase-2 are becoming another source of garbage and eye-sore (regular feature).
1. All these leaves will be stacked together in these bins. No more sore eyes.
2. DLF & MCG are not able to transport these leaves as they do not have a dumping place and the recycling of waste at Bhandwari landfill is always controversial.
3. Transporting the dry leaves to the dumping area will be reduced.
4. The compost nourishes the soil.
After successful implementation of this in Q-block, the same model can be extended to other blocks with the support of residents of respective blocks.
It will be heartening to see improvement in our area by self-support/ coope-ration. Residents who wish to be a part of this activity can join Aawaz Volunteers group; contact Aurobindo Verma at 99971046777 or email aawazvolunteersgroup@gmail.com
