In October 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ambitious plan to make Indian cities garbage-free as part of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0. As part of this initiative, the Government of India allocated Rs. 3,400 crore to Maharashtra for the implementation of the mission, aiming to tackle the mounting waste problems in cities like Mumbai. In this blog we will discuss about the growing wet waste problems and discuss the innovative machine-wet waste composter.
Despite the grand plans, Mumbai continues to face severe waste management challenges, with 6,330 metric tons of waste generated daily, according to the 2022-23 ESR (Environment Status Report) by the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation). Over the years, the city’s Deonar and Kanjurmarg dumping yards have become troubled for their overflowing waste piles, putting immense pressure on the city’s waste management infrastructure.
The Challenges in Mumbai’s Waste Management System
Mumbai’s current waste management system is struggling to keep up with the city’s rapid urbanization. According to the ESR, around 88% of Mumbai’s municipal solid waste (MSW) about 4,500 to 5,500 tonnes per day, is sent to the Kanjurmarg dumping ground, where it is processed using bio-reactor technology and windrow composting. On the other hand, the Deonar dumping ground, one of the oldest in the city, receives around 12% of the waste. This results in overflowing landfills that rise to 40 meters (as tall as a 12-story building) and emit harmful gases, further exacerbating environmental pollution.
Also, separating waste at its origin, which is essential for good waste management, is still a significant challenge. The Swachh Bharat Mission emphasizes the importance of segregating waste at its source into wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste, and other categories. However, despite this directive, segregation practices are not widely followed across housing societies, businesses, and institutions in Mumbai. This lack of application, combined with poor awareness, means that even when some residents and societies make the effort to segregate waste, the waste is not being collected or processed in the right manner.
How The Wet Waste Composter Can Address Mumbai’s Waste Problems?
The Wet Waste Composter offers a practical and effective solution to Mumbai’s growing waste crisis, especially the wet waste component. Wet waste, which includes food scraps, vegetable peels, garden waste, and other biodegradable materials, constitutes more than 50% of Mumbai’s total daily waste. Currently, this waste ends up in landfills, contributing to the overflowing dumpsites at Deonar and Kanjurmarg.
The Wet Waste Composter, like the Greenius Wet Waste Composting Machine (G-125), can help significantly reduce the volume of waste sent to these landfills. These machines use advanced composting technology to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost in just 24 hours—a much quicker process than traditional composting methods.
What are the Benefits of The Wet Waste Composter
- Reduces Landfill Pressure:
By converting wet waste into compost on-site, the wet waste composter helps alleviate the burden on Mumbai’s already overfilled landfills. This reduces the volume of waste that needs to be transported to dumping grounds like Deonar and Kanjurmarg. - Encourages Segregation at Source:
The waste composter can serve as an incentive for segregation at source. Since they process only organic waste, residents and businesses will be more inclined to segregate their waste properly. This also aligns with the guidelines of the Swachh Bharat Mission, which emphasizes the importance of source segregation. - Produces Valuable Byproducts:
The compost generated by the wet waste composter can be used for gardening, landscaping, or even farming, promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Moreover, the biogas generated in some systems can be used as a renewable energy source for cooking or electricity generation, contributing to energy conservation. - Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective:
The waste composter helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas released when organic waste decomposes in landfills. Additionally, the compost produced can be used to enrich the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. This results in cost savings for households and businesses while promoting sustainability. - Prevents Odors and Pest Infestation:
By processing wet waste in a controlled environment, the wet waste composter helps prevent the unpleasant odors and pest infestations that often occur in improperly managed wet waste piles.
A Step Towards A Cleaner, Greener Mumbai
Mumbai is at a critical crisis in terms of waste management. While the current system is overwhelmed and the city’s landfills are on the brink of capacity, innovative technologies like the wet waste composter can help bring about meaningful change. These machines offer a decentralized solution that allows waste to be processed at the point of generation, reducing the need for long-distance transportation and centralized processing.
If widely adopted, the wet waste composter could significantly reduce the amount of wet waste sent to already overflowing landfills, create valuable compost for local use, and promote a more sustainable way of living in Mumbai. However, this requires public awareness and strong governmental support to encourage waste segregation and make waste management practices more accessible to all citizens.
At Greenius, we are proud to be part of the solution. Our Wet Waste Composting Machine is an efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solution for handling organic waste. By converting wet waste into valuable compost in just 24 hours, we are empowering residents, businesses, and communities to take control of their waste and reduce their environmental footprint.
Conclusion
The growing pressure on dumping yards, the need for better waste segregation practices, and the urgent requirement for sustainable solutions call for action. The wet waste composter is one such solution that can help transform Mumbai’s waste management landscape.
Get in touch with Greenius to learn more about our innovative waste management solutions and join the movement for a garbage-free future.
