This morning I was with Surekha Tai and her colleagues in University of Pune. Surekha Tai is an active member of Pune-based SWaCCH Cooperative which describes itself as 'a cooperative of self employed women'. And the job they do is to manage the waste in several areas of Pune. First the ladies assembled and registered their attendance- after a small breakfast and keeping their handbags safely in office they set out for the 'shed'. The shed is a grilled structure within University where their brooms, buckets, baskets, sacks, etc are stored and where they separate wet and dry waste after collection. Surekha tai suggested that if such a place is not available then solution is to collect segregated waste separately. So we set out with the waste collection cart. This work occurs from 8.30 am to almost 12 noon.
The waste is then segregated all afternoon into- wet and dry waste. Wet waste is given to the vermicomposting unit. Dry waste is stored in the shed till sufficient quantity is accumulated and then sold off to 'raddiwala' for recycling.
I visisted the vermicompost facility near the storage shed. On one side was a series of sloping terrace-like structures. Wet waste is first spread on it in a layer about 4-5 inches thick and sprayed with mixtures which help to deodorise and also start the decomposition process. Vermiculture is also added to give it earthworms. Everyday the wet waste is turned to aerate it thoroughly. The layer is prone to stink if aeration is not done for a day- may happen on Monday mornings if Sunday is a holiday. But as this facility was in an open area with plenty of breeze, not much foul smell was evident. As the waste matures, it becomes uniformly dark coloured, odourless and reduces to almost half its original volume. Then this 'prepared' waste is transferred to large metal vats. These vats have holes on their sides and do not have lids. The terraces and vats are placed in shade.
Earthworms are added. This mixture is turned regularly for aeration and in dry weather sprayed with water for moisture. Earthworms need cool, moisture and dark homes. Earthworms chomp through the waste, which is excreted as 'vermicompost'. After about 15 days, the ready compost is seived to provide uniform textured output. The larger bits are put back into the vats- to provide culture for a new batch of wet waste.
The ready vermicompost is supplied to gardens in University campus. The beauty of these gardens is legendary. It provides happiness to thousands of employees of University, morning and evening 'walkers' as well as the large number of visitors who just come to see the gardens. I remember my father waking me up on winter mornings and taking me to see the flowers in full bloom.
This system is absolutely marvellous!
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| Waste collection Cart |
The waste is then segregated all afternoon into- wet and dry waste. Wet waste is given to the vermicomposting unit. Dry waste is stored in the shed till sufficient quantity is accumulated and then sold off to 'raddiwala' for recycling.
I visisted the vermicompost facility near the storage shed. On one side was a series of sloping terrace-like structures. Wet waste is first spread on it in a layer about 4-5 inches thick and sprayed with mixtures which help to deodorise and also start the decomposition process. Vermiculture is also added to give it earthworms. Everyday the wet waste is turned to aerate it thoroughly. The layer is prone to stink if aeration is not done for a day- may happen on Monday mornings if Sunday is a holiday. But as this facility was in an open area with plenty of breeze, not much foul smell was evident. As the waste matures, it becomes uniformly dark coloured, odourless and reduces to almost half its original volume. Then this 'prepared' waste is transferred to large metal vats. These vats have holes on their sides and do not have lids. The terraces and vats are placed in shade.
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| Earthworm vats |
Earthworms are added. This mixture is turned regularly for aeration and in dry weather sprayed with water for moisture. Earthworms need cool, moisture and dark homes. Earthworms chomp through the waste, which is excreted as 'vermicompost'. After about 15 days, the ready compost is seived to provide uniform textured output. The larger bits are put back into the vats- to provide culture for a new batch of wet waste.
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| Sieving the vermicompost |
The ready vermicompost is supplied to gardens in University campus. The beauty of these gardens is legendary. It provides happiness to thousands of employees of University, morning and evening 'walkers' as well as the large number of visitors who just come to see the gardens. I remember my father waking me up on winter mornings and taking me to see the flowers in full bloom.
This system is absolutely marvellous!
Good reading and Thank you for sharing your experience Vani !
ReplyDeleteIn India, the waste/garbage collection happens through municipality/corporation workers. citizen pay taxes for this. The attitude of the municipality speaks something totally different, it is as if they are doing a favour towards the public by managing waste for them.
This Swaach initiative is a model example as to how a small unit of settlement can be self reliant and also generate employment through the waste management in making way for a sustainable green tomorrow.