In the ideal world

According to me, segregation of waste into dry waste and wet waste is the duty of every citizen and anyone not following the same must be fined strongly about it. I think it is a very good idea on part of BMC to make this a ‘cluster’ implementation. Means the thought of fining a building heavily if even one family is non cooperative is a very good one. This is how they get a good success in micro-finance schemes. From here, it has gone all downhill.

Though segregation is uncommon, fines are only occasionally levied. Who qualifies for a fine and who does not? BMC is afraid to enforce its own rules. If they begin to enforce the rules, they will have to face two acute problems- one that they do not have a proper management system in place and second that they will have to take on some vested interests who may be benefitting from the current system.  BMC needs to turn its PR machinery 180 degrees and use it to create some sense in its own system first.

A time- bound program needs to be made about creating a new system of waste management WITHOUT tying it up with the legacy waste that’s lying around in the dump yards. Awareness should first be carried out in the different departments of BMC itself. Right from the commissioner to the sweepers, all should be first made to attend training seminars on the topic so that their knowledge becomes up to date.  Both dry waste and wet waste collection vehicles should be sent to the respective areas for collection. Fines should be levied on the buildings who don’t comply. 

Just making the citizens responsible for everything is completely unfair. BMC needs to do its part, that too systematically. Some accountability needs to be brought into the system so citizens do not feel cornered and become rebellious.

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?

DRY WASTE-1

I have practised wet- dry segregation of wastes for more than a decade now. I started with great enthusiasm and used to keep out two separate bins- one with wet and one with dry waste for collection. In a couple of days I discovered that the cleaner was collecting both in one bin only effectively mixing it. So I started with ‘education’ of the cleaning staff. Cleaning staff are usually simple poor people with a habit of saying ‘Yes’ to everything and then doing whatever is most convenient to them later. It is not that they don’t understand or are purposely non cooperative; only that they do not have the time and the authority to get things moving in a way that they would like it. So ‘Yes’ it was and then back to business as usual. Plus a different member of the family came for collection daily and then each had to be told separately. All in all it meant that I had to keep a watch through the collection process everyday- that was not possible. This was my home- grown waste management system, for several years. Then I noticed that rag-pickers needed dry waste.

 So I started to store the dry waste for upto a week and then call over the local rag-picker to take it. This meant I had to really spend my time one day of the week tracking the whereabouts and really request her to come into the building- this was also a tough thing to do regularly. Next solution was to lug the dry waste on my weekly visit to the market and give it to the dry waste segregation centre directly. But within a couple of months this segregation centre became very irregular in its operations and it used to happen that I would take the dry waste there only to find the collection centre closed- and then had to return with my gunny sack. And then come home and look for a rag-picker to take it- a lot of work!

Thankfully Swacch Parle Abhiyan started around that time and I was relieved that a collection van would be sent home for the dry waste. For some reason- the SPA started insisting on ‘super segregation’ means the dry waste had to be separated into further parts –dry paper, dry plastic, spoilt paper and plastic, e-waste and what- not (I have forgotten the exact details).  And plus there was money to be had from these at fixed rates. It was  a comedy of errors- the dry waste van from the vendor would first arrive late due to traffic, late-coming staff and other usual chaos that characterises such arrangements. Then its movements would be tracked closely on the wa group. Each building used to act like one ‘customer’ demanding that the van come at certain time, park in certain way, collect the stuff and plus there began allegations of dishonesty about weighing and calculations- all for stuff that till then was thoughtlessly dumped in garbage!  See, the dry waste collection system is manned by simple folks who don’t go to B- school (or any school for that matter). But Parlekars and SPA expected that level of organisation nevertheless.  The transaction time for each building was too long as stuff had to be weighed and paid for and then transported separately and therefore not viable. So the ‘super segregation’ was stopped (thankfully). Eventually, door- to- door dry waste collection through SPA was withdrawn to make way for the BMC approved twice- weekly collection service.

SANITARY NAPKINS

Upon reading the concerns of so many people about the problem of sanitary pad disposal, I decided to do some fact- finding.

I first took the used sanitary pads of whisper company and put them for composting. In 2 month’s time all material had completely composted, except the thin plastic lining. When I shared this experience, some people raised mighty objections of ‘infection’, ‘bio hazard’. But I do not agree, menstrual pads from a healthy woman are equivalent to non- vegetarian food- there is no hazard in composting it.  I then proceeded to try out other brands marketed as ‘chemical free’ or ‘ environment friendly’. It was a traumatic 6 months for me. Some pads (sakhi) are small and not properly shaped and caused good deal of discomfort. Another brand (Anandi) had to be ordered by special courier from New Mumbai. The issue with this was the adhesive which remained after washing in strong soap, using hot water, rubbing with acetone.. etc So the panties had to be retired.

In my adolescence, I had plenty of opportunity to use cloth pads that had to be washed. I did not need to experiment that. The pads are good if you are near home or have access to a place where frequent change is possible- or if you are on some pills that minimise the flow. Next washing them uses up enormous quantities of water and leaves quite a smell in the bathroom. Some clot invariably gets left behind some bucket or something and the next user yells at you. The soiled pads need to be stored somewhere (away from rats, ants and pets) because you cannot be washing several times a day. There are significant cultural barriers to handling of pads and your bai will refuse to put them out to dry or even to fold them up after drying; and where is the dignity in hiring someone to do your dirty work?. Plus where will you hang them to dry? All these pose real world problems to women with high intensity life like myself where I manage my patients, my children and rest of the family and have an active social life. So reusable cloth pads like our ancestors is not a practical option.

Tampons seem fine. But again, I am scared to recommend them because in India the access to toilets is not assured and I don’t want anyone to be at risk of severe infection. I could not bring myself to use the menstrual cup. I think, it is a weird and intrusive concept- that’s my personal view. But logically this seems a good environment friendly solution to those who can get used to the idea.

Burning the napkins or incinerating them- if the source is a healthy woman- according to me this is an over- reaction and causes unnecessary pollution. Plus a useless residue is created which is a mixture of burnt plastic and cotton- what to do with that? This is not a practical zero waste solution according to me.

Menstrual hygiene is a big challenge in India. Around 50pc women (and girls) have no access or knowledge about menstrual pads. So actually the number of women using disposable pads is very very low. Lack of menstrual hygiene affects women’s health and quality of life- most women are rendered dysfunctional due to culture- based ostracism and discomfort of not using a proper pad. 50pc of the population are women, out of which only a little more than half will be in the menstruating age- group. Out of which again the use of sanitary pads is less than 40pc. I think the environment impact due to sanitary pads is an exaggerated issue and misogynistic one too. Consider the health and quality of life benefit and compare it with the number of men owning vehicles and the impact of that- I say stop baiting women’s necessary item on the pretext of environmentalism.

About this topic I will say that women should use menstrual pads- WHISPER turned out to be the best bet for me personally. I have no qualms recommending it- gives the best balance of comfort and disposability. Just that whisper people should not give plastic pouches- instead wax lined paper pouches for disposal should be provided. Women should avoid using the plastic pouches provided and wrap the soiled napkin in two layers of newspaper and never flush it down the toilet. The napkin can then degrade wherever it reaches and adding it to your home compost bin should not be a problem at all. At the end of the composting cycle, you will have to sieve the compost to remove the plastic lining that all the pads usually have and these can be sent for recycling.

I exhort readers to comment on this blog. I have written in much detail and apologise for any offence caused....but there was no other option.

TRICKY ROLE

In 2015 September, I happened to attend a seminar about waste management held in Tilak Mandir. It was a welcome subject and I signed in a register of attendees wishing to have more information on the subject. Thereafter, a number of meetings were held in the BJP office about the same matter, by the same people. Both venues, that is, Tilak Mandir were located conveniently between my workplace and home. The programes also happened to be very conveniently scheduled at that time- so I made it a point to attend regularly. Soon ‘Swacch Parle Abhiyaan’ was born and I discovered that I was among the cast of characters with starring role to play. Really at that point I had nothing to say against it and things fell into place quickly and I went along. So I made segregation charts, gave presentations to societies and freely participated in discussions/ meetings/ planning and generally giving my time.

SPA developed very well in the following year. I made great new friends and together we marched along spreading the message of ‘zero waste from Parle’.  That year was good- I learnt so much about how things work- on a larger scale. So far my understanding was only upto interpersonal and personal issues. But SPA gave me an understanding of people’s thoughts and behaviours on a larger scale. On the way, I figured out how actually MCGM works. I also let my creative juices flow and started some other activities which indirectly encouraged people to get into composting- like tree plantation and organic gardening.  Loads of learning in 18 months!

Unfortunately for me- things began to unravel in the second half of 2017. Time became short and the activities of SPA began to interfere in my professional work. All Parlekars with a good attitude were already converted to the cause and we could make no further progress. MCGM remained same- we discovered and many of our great ideas lay dormant in their files. Interpersonal issues started becoming prominent, so that it became necessary for me to take measures. First thing was to put some distance between myself and political people on the group. Next  I had to restrict my activities to Vile Parle East.  My patients are always a priority and I wanted to remain within jurisdiction at all times except while on vacation- so that my patients can get help when they need me. I thought- my profession itself gives me so much chance to do social good, rather than spending time for SPA I should increaset he hours of my work.  I stopped getting into any new SPA projects. Slowly thus I have withdrawn myself from the SPA and now restrict myself to moral support.

My original agenda in attending the SPA activities was actually to document the happenings through my blog. Because I got so involved in it, I gave up on this. Had I continued the writing at that time I would have had to write biased reports or else avoid writing anything that could bring me into conflict with anyone. Plus writing about SPA would mean writing about myself. My thought is not to write about myself and to avoid at least conscious bias in reporting. Most importantly I want to write without fear. So the blog was suspended.

Now, I think I can begin again

COMPOSTING BASKET

A lot of Parlekars have been using the composting basket to create black gold from kitchen waste.

Originally Developed by Shri Jayant Joshi as 'Kitchen Composter', now several prototypes are available in the market (particularly Vile Parle East). Called 'Nisargadoot', or simply 'SPA' basket.

Based on the principle of 'bio composting'.

This blog is for those who have yet to try it or for those who have tried but not got the expected results. This is the way to use the basket--------

PARTS OF BASKET COMPOSTING SYSTEM

1. Plastic basket

2. accelerator culture

3. cocopeat

4. stirrer

HOW IT WORKS

This system is sufficient for a family of 4-5 persons. The system is designed to modify natural composting process so that it is faster, free of mess and easy to use at home.  It is the ‘bioculture’ method. The accelerator culture provides special microbes which help to convert organic waste to compost in shorter period of time. You will see white fungus, small worms and insects in the basket which do work of composting. Basket provides good supply of oxygen, balance of humidity and temperature so that microbes are comfortable. With the help of stirrer you can turn the compost as this helps it to work better. Cocopeat is added to get proper texture by adjusting wetness.

STEPS IN STARTING

1. Open the basket

2. empty the full packet of culture into it

3. spread into a layer

4. put a handful of organic waste and mix thoroughly

5. close the lid and keep the basket in a shaded airy place

6. every day open the basket and give it a thorough stirring. Keep the lid open for about 30- 40 mins. Then add your organic material and stir again. Leave for 15 mins. Close the lid

7. when your basket is full upto 3/4ths it is time to harvest the compost.  At this stage do not add fresh material for 2 days. Then to harvest you can simply sieve all the contents and collect the fine part as compost. The coarse parts are to be added back into the basket.  Plus take a handful of the fine part and add it back to the basket.

8. add organic matter and start the process again

WHAT PROBLEMS CAN OCCUR?

The system is designed to give practically no problems if you read through this and follow all steps meticulously. Still one has to refer to this write up frequently to learn the perfect way to use it by avoiding all problems. So keep this carefully. For any problem contact me....

WHAT CAN BE COMPOSTED IN IT?

This system is ideal for composting organic material which is generated in kitchen. It includes vegetable, fruit and non vegetarian materials; in cooked and uncooked forms. To get best results you can do following-

1. Always drain your organic matter in a colander and add it to basket when it stops dripping. You may have to squeeze it to remove extra liquid. All liquid goes into drain

2. cut your organic materials into 2 inch pieces before adding to basket

3. for first two cycles add only raw and uncooked vegetable and fruit material. Do not add cooked food, spoiled food or non vegetarian food for the first 2- 3 cycles of compost making.

4. later if you plan to add cooked, spoiled or non veg food, you follow this method- your basket must have one and half inch of material ready in it already.  Open your basket and stir the contents thoroughly. Then take your mixed organic waste, chop them as mentioned earlier, wash them with little water to remove masala and salt and drain them thoroughly.  Bury the material in centre of basket and cover it over.  Do not stir at this after adding. Close the basket. Next day stir the contents thoroughly first- bury new material in centre of basket and cover it. Close the basket.  Continue till 3/4^th full and harvest compost as usual

5. if you want to add garden waste or nirmalya, following needs to be done- add only flowers, leaves, thin twigs. Do not add thick branches, whole coconuts or hard fruits as basket cannot cope with them even if these are compostable. Do not add diseased materials. You may have to sprinkle water as garden waste tends to dry out fast.  Cover with newspaper if drying out is frequent occurrence.

HOW CAN I BE COMFORTABLE AROUND MY BASKET?

To be comfortable your basket should not smell, should not give out insects etc and look presentable. You can do following to achieve the same.

1. control moisture- your basket contents should be moist and grainy looking. It should not look wet and lumpy or dry and powdery. Regular and thorough stirring gives good moisture control.

 If there is lumpiness and add cocopeat or tissue paper or sawdust or newspaper and stir again. You have to double the time of keeping basket open. Give two three days to normalise

If the contents look dry or powdery, stir the material and cover it with two layers of newspaper. Then close basket lid immediately. If after one day, it still looks dry, sprinkle a bit of water before covering with newspaper. Give 2-3 days for it to normalise.

2. your basket will have small insects and worms as these are the workers making your compost.  We have to ensure that they do not come out of basket. Also tea leaves can be washed if you do not like ants coming into your basket. Give a good wipe to your basket exterior and its immediate surroundings with a rag dipped in 50% household vinegar. Or you can spray it on basket and surrounding after servicing it, every 2-3 days. So the creatures remain inside and do not come out

3. always keep basket clean from outside. Keep it on a plastic or rubber sheet to avoid staining of floor underneath. Raise it on a brick or small tile so drainage is easy. Keep in a place where free air circulation is available. You may cover with single layer of thin cotton or jute cloth. If keeping outdoors protect from direct Sun or rain exposure and keep in a wire cage to prevent attacks from rodents. In outdoors, ants may enter basket- do not worry about them.

HOW TO USE COMPOST

1. After harvesting, keep the compost in aerated container like sack, cotton cloth or mud pot or open plastic container with loose lid for at least one month. After one month compost should feel cool to the touch and smell like wet earth after the first rains. Then it is ready for use. If smell is different or compost is warm keep for 2 weeks more and check again. Use only when compost is ready

2. this compost can be used for any plants to make potting soil, for top dressing or sprinkling for added plant nutrition.

KITCHEN GARDENING WORKSHOP

Through Swacch Parle Abhiyan we invited Purvi, Bhavana and Nilima to conduct a 'Organic Kitchen Gardening Workshop' In Parle. We had it yesterday.

It was 4 hours of pure learning of the best sort- The team took us from the basics to the complexities and the philosophy to the benefits of Kitchen Gardening. Why did SPA and I get involved?

Many folks have been resisting composting by giving excuse that 'what to do with the compost?'. So organic gardening is the answer. And some people are motivated for composting through organic gardening. As an environmentalist and doctor- I know that sustainable organic gardening is really good for health and surroundings. So I got personally involved.

It is to the credit of Purvi and her team that they did not charge anything. We took nominal entry fee for meeting expenses. The left over money will be used for other SPA work.

The main points covered were

One must manage waste scientifically to show respect for nature as well as safe guard environment. If we compost at home and use same soil for gardening we get assured results and fresh produce rather than spending for 'organic' labeled material. The garden should be planned based on our needs and how much resources we have.
The team covered the making of amritjal, soil, medicinal plants, pruning, transplanting, sowing, pest control. We will soon make a wa group of all participants so that team can mentor them as practical work gets underway.

We had 87 participants and all were listening with rapt attention till the very end. They have all given very positive feedback. So that now I have calls asking when is the next workshop. But I will refer them to the team headquarters at Kandivli. Here the workshops are held regularly. Better to attend there as it causes minimal disturbance to the trainers' lives plus we get to see many more samples of their work.

Cheers to our team of experts