Construction waste to be used in govt. contract work

LSGD order lays out responsibilities of local bodies in waste management

The Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) has stipulated that local bodies need to make arrangements to monitor and collect construction/demolition waste and use part of it for government contract work. The fresh guidelines are part of an LSGD order issued to lay out the responsibilities of local bodies and their secretaries and other officials in waste management. According to the order, as much as 10% to 20% of the waste generated as part of building demolition or as construction waste can be used in government contract work. The local bodies are also expected to make available enough containers to collect such waste and take steps to transport them to processing centres. If such demolition waste contains dangerous substances or chemicals, the appropriate authority has to be contacted for the guidelines to process these. The order says that the local bodies have to prepare a waste management plan based on the State policy. There should be a mechanism to collect solid waste at the doorstep. An annual user fee should be collected from waste generators. Identity cards have to be provided for those involved in waste collection. Those who are not part of the unorganised waste collection sector should also be made to register.