Context:

• The Karnataka government is considering moving waste processing facilities from Bengaluru to the outskirts. Officials have been tasked with identifying land parcels, each spanning 100 acres, in various directions from the city.

BBMP Solid Waste Management Plan

• Bengaluru generates 5,000 tonnes per day (TPD) waste, expected to reach 6,000 TPD  over the next four or five years.
• Current processing capacity: 2,000 TPD, leaving 3,000 TPD for landfill disposal.

Historical Issues with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Waste-Processing Facilities

• Common problems:
  • Consistently receiving more waste than their intended capacity.
  • Operating at less than 50% efficiency.
  • Excess material in the process led to leachate and odor issues.
• Consequences: Negative impact on the environment and well-being of nearby residents and their livelihoods.

Addressing Local Concerns in Solid Waste Management Facilities

• Odor and Leachate Management
  • Implement tertiary-level facilities to treat leachate.
  • Ensure proper treatment for internal use.
• Reducing Odor Issues
  • Equip waste-processing plants with high-capacity lane turners or windrow-turning equipment.
  • Frequent turning of compost material to expedite the composting process, improve aeration, and minimize odors.
• Land Acquisition and Land-Use Changes
  • Opt for state-owned vacant plots to expedite new facility setup.
  • Conduct thorough geotechnical investigations to mitigate land-use impact.
• Engaging Local Farmers and Offering Free Organic Compost
  • Involve farmers as primary consumers of the compost.
  • Provide free organic compost to nearby villages.
  • Potential to significantly reduce farmers’ reliance on chemical fertilizers, saving them substantial costs.
  • Could replace up to 50% of chemical fertilizers in Bangalore Rural and Ramanagara districts using Bengaluru’s annual waste output.

News Source: The Hindu