DRY WASTE- 2

BMC dry waste collection service consists of a van and its driver, contract staff from an approved self- help group or NGO with a BMC supervisor. The building signs a sort of contract and collection days are decided. BMC has a slightly different segregation chart and we have to give coconut shells and small wood pieces in dry waste only. After all the handshaking was done, work had to start. First they refused to collect  certain categories of items- thermacol was left behind. Inspite of the presence of the BMC supervisor, the matter had to be escalated to the BMC officer alongwith SPA and our local elected representative as the go- between and then they condescended to 100pc dry waste pick up. Next, they began to allege that ‘cream’ of dry waste like large pieces of cardboard which fetch better price in recycling market were being pilfered by our housekeeping folks- this was not true. Still I cooperated because we had no proof as our building has no CCTV cameras and I instructed my housekeeping staff that the dry waste be left alone in very strong words. Next they refused to get down from the vehicle to load the dry waste into the van- as their timing was never fixed I was unable to arrange for housekeeping staff to help them in loading. And I could not expect watchmen and private drivers to fill in. This problem keeps recurring from time to time. Once I got the idea that building dry waste could be stored in gunny sacks. The BMC van began to collect the waste along with the gunny sacks- each costing 20- 30 rupees and never returning them. In fact, their belligerence began to reach new heights when they began to demand gunny sacks as a matter of right- time to complain again. BMC told us to store in plastic bins. So we did that- now the loading was done in such a shabby way that the whole building was strewn with dry waste.  The contractors people always come along a demand diwali bonus and the service becomes worse for months as I always refuse.

We are still with this system- for lack of any other system.  I have learnt that this system is a series of dysfunctions which go on in a cyclical manner without (hope) or effort of any conclusive solutions. For a time we are lucky to have an approachable and sincere supervisor- the JO s are really unable to have any control over the system or ‘game’ should I call it? Irregular pick up, shabby collection, pilfering of gunny bag, demanding bakshish/ bonus, alleging that quality of dry waste given is poor, refusing to pick up wastes for petty excuses- all these come up again and again. There is nothing to be done than to pick up the phone and plead, fight, complain etc to get the work done. Like most places in Mumbai, we have limited storage space and simply cannot keep the dry waste. Plus we do not want to create space for rodents and other pests. Every six months BMC sends a cyclostyled notice stating that rules mandate segregation and if it is not done bmc will fine the building, etc etc

As I move around Parle, I notice that the number of ‘kabadiwalas” or dry waste shops is increasing progressively. Earlier they used to collect only newspaper and milk bags, now they have tie-ups with ragpickers and buy the dry waste off them. All the same, the number of people getting into recycling is also increasing progressively. Yet the BMC contractors come and whine continuosly about not getting enough revenue from dry waste collection. This is inspite of the fact that they have been given bmc land for segregation and bmc pays for the collection vehicle. Incidentally in my practice, I sometimes see some addicts who take to selling dry waste to fund their habit. So my conclusion is that the contractors have been lying thats all.

The citizens are in a pathetic position. Most of the people I interact with, are aware and willing to do segregation to take care of environmental pollution.  The average Mumbaikar wants to work towards keeping Mumbai clean and healthy. But how much can we do? If we segregate a host of other problems have to be faced by us- on daily basis there is irritation. And if we do not segregate there is guilt and the threat of fines from BMC. I want to know, who gets fined when BMC mixes the waste or does not pick up the dry waste or is unable to control its staff and contractors from misbehaving with the citizens?