Tripunithura, a municipality in Kochi, has been officially declared ‘waste-free’ as part of the ongoing Malinya Muktham Navakeralam campaign. The declaration, made by the state’s Minister for Ports, Museum, Archaeology, and Archives, marks a significant achievement in the local community’s efforts to tackle waste management and create an eco-friendly environment. However, while the initiative reflects great progress, the municipality still faces challenges such as waterbody contamination and the lack of a large-scale waste treatment facility.
The municipality’s chairperson, explained that the waste-free status was a result of substantial efforts under the ‘Thanimayode Tripunithura’ campaign. The initiative focused on improving waste management practices at the household and institutional levels, with the distribution of bio bins to every household for processing organic waste at the source. In addition, bio composters and Thumburmuzhi model composters were installed across the area, and organic waste disposal systems were established in public institutions such as schools, hospitals, and the Hill Palace. Another person also highlighted the success of a project aimed at scientifically processing sanitary waste, while Haritha Karma Sena members have been actively involved in collecting inorganic waste from households and handing it over to agencies for proper disposal. These efforts demonstrate a commitment to addressing both organic and inorganic waste effectively, reducing the environmental impact on the local ecosystem.
Despite the municipality’s efforts, some challenges remain. The absence of a large-scale, centralised waste treatment facility continues to hinder the municipality’s ability to manage growing waste demands. Opposition councillor UK Peethambaran recognised the importance of the work done but stressed that the region would require a dedicated waste treatment facility to cope with future waste management needs. The lack of such a facility could slow down the momentum of the waste-free initiative and make long-term waste management more challenging. Meanwhile, in nearby Thrikkakara, the declaration of the municipality as waste-free was postponed after intervention from the district collector. This decision followed protests from LDF councillors, who claimed that large quantities of untreated waste were still scattered across various parts of the municipality. Thrikkakara municipality’s chairperson, Radhamani Pillai, confirmed that the postponement was made to ensure that all necessary work was completed before declaring the area waste-free. This delay highlights the complexities involved in achieving comprehensive waste management solutions, as well as the need for continuous monitoring and improvements.
The developments in both municipalities underscore the ongoing struggles that local authorities face in balancing the implementation of waste management strategies with the need for scalable infrastructure. While Tripunithura’s success provides hope for other regions, it is clear that the path to creating a truly waste-free, sustainable community is still fraught with obstacles. In particular, municipalities must focus on developing waste treatment facilities that can handle the demands of growing populations, alongside ensuring that waste management practices continue to evolve and address emerging environmental concerns.
