Gaps in scientific treatment of municipal solid waste in Ernakulam revealed

Local self-Government Department collates data submitted by local bodies

Nearly 164 tonnes of municipal solid waste out of the estimated 1,199 tonnes generated daily in Ernakulam remains untreated, according to official estimates. The gaps in the scientific management of solid waste came to the fore after the Local Self-Government Department collated the data submitted by local bodies as on February this year. A detailed picture on the status of the municipal solid waste management was submitted before the National Green Tribunal in the case related to the compliance of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 by States. Of the 1,199 tonnes per day of solid waste, the quantity of dry waste was about 370.57 tonnes. An analysis of the quantity of waste generated showed that about 592 tonnes were treated through composting and other decentralised facilities. Nearly 349 tonnes were either recovered or recycled/co-processed. Nearly 93 tonnes of waste were dumped in landfills.