According to sources as per a 2011 report in Columbia University’s Earth Engineering Centre Waste to Energy Research and Technology Council (WERTC), Chennai ranks first in the country, generating the highest per capita waste at 0.7 kg, followed by Kolkatta (0.66 kg) and Delhi (0.65 kg). Meanwhile, the officials at Chennai’s Solid Waste Management (SWM) department say that 100% door to door collection has been implemented, segregation of waste at its source is yet to be achieved.
As per report from SWM department, 5,000 MT (1 MT = 1,000 kgs) of garbage is collected and removed from the city every day, of which 68% comes from houses and 14% from schools, colleges and institutions. Moreover there are about 19,073 conservancy workers collecting and sorting Chennai’s waste on a daily basis. Furthermore, a Chennai Corporation official tells TNM that north Chennai fares well as far as waste management is concerned when compared to other parts of the city.
Presently Chennai has 177 functional micro composting yards, including seven vermicomposting centers, 26 biogas composting centers, and five bio-thermal composting centers. Moreover, the proposal to build 17 RRC is also currently underway. Further Chennai Corporation has also joined hands with the State Horticulture Department to selling the compost from its composting centers.
