Almost a year after the city Corporation distributed kitchen bins to households in several parts of the city, to promote waste treatment at source, the bins are remaining unused in many wards owing to unavailability of inoculum and lack of service personnel. The affected wards include Kalippankulam, Manacaud, Kalady, Palkulangara, Poojappura, and Kazhakuttam.
The local body had, in August last, begun the widespread distribution of kitchen bins in various wards.
“Kitchen bins were distributed in several households in my ward several months ago. But, after that nothing has happened. Not even the inoculum, which is required to treat waste, has been distributed. Even if inoculum is made available, periodic maintenance has to be done to ensure that the bin continues working fine. There are no people to do this service too,” said G.S. Manju, Kalady ward councillor.
According to Corporation officials, the responsibility of managing the kitchen bin distribution and upkeep is now with the Sanitation Management Committee formed last year. Though agencies like Harithagramam and Pelican do provide maintenance services for kitchen bins, the committee has not yet taken steps to assign wards to these agencies.
Strain on aerobic bins
“It is an issue of delay in procedures and proper follow-up, which is not happening. The kitchen bins, if implemented properly in all wards, can reduce the strain on the aerobic bins and would also reduce the waste getting dumped along road sides,” an official said.
