Gurgaon: Activists, residents object to MCG’s waste compost plants

Gurgaon’s RWAs and activists express concerns over the solid waste compost plants at Chakkarpur village

Representatives of various resident welfare associations (RWAs) gathered at Chakkarpur village on Sunday before submitting a letter to the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), raising their concerns over solid waste compost plants run by the civic body.

Among the issues bothering the residents are open dumping of waste at the compost plants, mixed waste disposal and incorrect composting procedures (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

Among the issues bothering the residents are open dumping of waste at the compost plants, mixed waste disposal and incorrect composting procedures.

They also highlighted the need for laying down proper guidelines for transporting, storing and processing of wet and dry waste at compost plants in a city like Gurgaon, which does not have a functioning waste management plant as is mandatory under Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

“A decentralised solid waste management is the only eco-sustainable solution for a rapidly urbanising city such as Gurgaon. It cannot function efficiently unless correct infrastructure and operational support from the MCG is received. At compost plants running currently, organic waste is mixed with dry waste such as plastic and Styrofoam materials. The putrid smell is indicative of incorrect composting procedures and lack of a scientific waste management system. Hence, composting standards must be established so that the end product (compost) is of usable quality,” said Ruchika Sethi, a city-based environmentalist who is running a campaign called ‘Why Waste Your Waste’.

RWA representatives from Garden Estate, Silver Oaks apartments, DLF Summit, Vaastu Apartments, Richmond Park and Regency Park II attended the meeting and jointly submitted the letter to the MCG.

MCG’s compost plants are being operated in all these localities.

“It is important to understand that to establish an efficient waste management system at a micro level, support from RWA’s and residents is necessary. Hence, the MCG is open to experimentation with waste treatment and would encourage any local or voluntarily initiative for the same,” MCG commissioner V Umashankar said.