Mumbai: The BMC has decided to penalise the bulk generators who are failing to segregate and process their own garbage. Accordingly, the civic authorities are in the process of making modifications to the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Bye Laws of 2016 which will empower the BMC to collect fines from violators. Currently, less than 50 per cent of societies are processing wet waste in their premises.
The city produces 6,300 to 6,500 metric tonnes of waste daily. As per SWM rules, 2016, the civic body is required to achieve waste management at source. In 2017, the BMC ordered all housing societies and commercial establishments larger than 20,000 sq metres or those producing more than 100 kg of wet waste (bulk generators) to start segregating and composting waste in their premises. However, out of 2,825, only 1,424 societies follow the civic rules, while the BMC is still struggling to get many of the bulk generators to treat garbage at source. The citizens' apathy has also affected the BMC's action plan to improve waste management in the city by 2030.
"Earlier, the BMC would serve notices to bulk generators under Sec 368 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, which requires housing societies to collect and dispose of garbage. A few matters were even taken to court that were declared bad in law, so we stopped prosecuting bulk generators. We also warned them that only dry waste would be collected. But after the local representative's intervention, such actions were withdrawn since not collecting garbage would create an unhygienic condition in the city. So we only had to focus on creating awareness in societies" said a senior civic official.
He further said, "During the Covid-19 period, several societies stopped processing waste in their premises. So we have now made modifications to bye laws with the help of the legal department that will allow the BMC to collect fines from the violators. After getting administrative approval for it, we will invite suggestions and objections from the citizens. The actual amount of fine has not been finalised yet, but we are planning to implement this rule in the next one month."
As per civic sources, among 24 administrative wards in the city, more than 90 percent of bulk generators in areas like Worli, Ghatkopar, Sion - Wadala segregate and process waste in their premises. However, societies in the western suburbs are found to be reluctant to follow the rules.
Bifurcation of data
City produces daily 6,300 to 6,500 metric tonnes of waste
Total number of bulk generators - 2,825
Number of societies processing waste - 1,424
Number of societies not processing waste - 1,401
Wet waste generated - 479.8 metric tons per day
Dry waste generated - 85.4 metric tons per day
Quantum of wet waste processed - 343.8 metric tons per day
