BMC Ramps Up Hazardous Waste Collection With Nearly 2000 Establishments Registered
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has significantly intensified its collection drive for household hazardous waste across the city, witnessing a notable rise in registrations from various establishments. This initiative aims to ensure the safe and scientific disposal of specific waste types, which are crucial for preventing contamination of regular waste streams.
Nearly 2,000 establishments have formally registered for this vital initiative. This impressive total includes 1,140 housing societies, 677 beauty parlours, 75 educational institutions, and 27 women’s hostels, collectively reaching approximately 4.5 lakh citizens. The waste collected encompasses items such as adult diapers, sanitary pads, pet waste, discarded medicines, used waxing sheets, PPE kits, and facial masks. Currently, an average of 1.7 tonnes of domestic hazardous waste is collected daily. This waste is transported to six specialized plasma incineration facilities within BMC’s jurisdiction for safe and scientific disposal, supporting a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment.
To streamline the collection process and encourage participation, the BMC has implemented a QR code-based self-registration system. Registered entities are provided with distinctive yellow bags for proper disposal, and the civic body has commenced daily pickup services to ensure efficient collection. While Mumbai is estimated to generate between 80 to 100 tonnes of domestic hazardous waste daily, the current collection represents only a fraction of the total. Improper disposal of such waste can severely hinder the composting of wet waste and contaminate dry waste streams, making organized collection efforts paramount.
A BMC analysis indicates that achieving a daily collection target of 20 tonnes of domestic hazardous waste would require approximately 80% participation from key sources, including 4 lakh households and 5,000 beauty parlours. The BMC is also planning to revamp its dry waste centers to better manage all categories of waste, reinforcing its commitment to comprehensive waste management and healthier city living.
