: Nirvana Country, a 300-acre township, is set to become the first zero-waste housing society in Gurgaon.
The Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) of the township has decided to invest over Rs.2 crore to set up two plants -- one to convert kitchen and horticulture waste into compost, and the other to treat sewage.
“There is no proper mechanism for waste disposal in Gurgaon. Garbage keeps piling up at landfill sites. We hope our efforts will inspire others to follow the same,” said Sanu Kapila, president, RWA.
The township generates about three tonnes of green waste every day, and with a mechanism in place to treat it, the housing society will produce almost 1,000 kg of compost daily. “This compost will be used for the parks and trees in the common areas of the township. The rest will be available for the residents to buy at a nominal cost,” said Mr. Kapila.
Curbing polythene usage
The residents have been asked to segregate waste at their houses. In order to discourage the use of polythene bags, bins will be provided to the people. Also, the vendors in the township will be barred from using polythene bags.
Mr. Kapila said the machines to treat the waste were expected to arrive in the first week of August and the system would most likely be inaugurated on August 15.
The RWA also plans to set up a sewage treatment plant on its premises. “It will help us produce 3-4 lakh litres of water every day. It will be used to water trees and plants in the common areas,” said Mr. Kapila. He said the local administration had offered to provide land and technical help for the setting up of the STP.
The RWA also plans to provide waterless toilets for the domestic helps and the drivers working in the townships. Also, an e-waste collection drive is conducted in the township every Sunday for its residents.
Welcoming the initiative, Ruchika Sethi, who runs the “Why Waste Your Waste” campaign, said: “So many Gurgaon citizens want to protect the environment and their health by initiating the key cornerstone of waste segregation. But the main deterrent is lack of a mandatory source segregation notification by the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon. What indeed is stopping the civic body to issue a notification and incorporate it in the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act?”
