The 182 Dry Waste Collection Centres (DWCC) in the city will henceforth be managed by waste-pickers instead of NGOs or corporate firms that are currently handling waste collection and disposal in the city.
While many waste-pickers have been working at the DWCCs for many years, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had entered into MoUs with NGOs such as Hasiru Dala and Swacha, and corporate firms such as ITC Ltd. to run these centres. At present, ITC manages over 65 DWCCs as a CSR initiative.
However, the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, pitch for an integration of waste workers from the unorganised sector. Hence, the BBMP has begun working with waste-pickers and their self-help groups. “We have already redrawn MoUs with over 40 DWCCs. The NGOs and corporate firms will act only as mentors,” said Sarfaraz Khan, Joint Commissioner, Solid Waste Management, BBMP.
The move essentially empowers 182 waste-pickers or waste-picker groups to turn entrepreneurs and collect dry waste from all households in the city. “This is a huge step to empower waste-pickers in the city. Bengaluru is the first city in the country to directly engage with waste-pickers following the SWM Rules 2016,” said Nalini Shekhar of Hasiru Dala.
Dry waste only
Contrary to the earlier practice of the same person collecting both wet and dry waste, DWCCs have been tasked with collection of dry waste directly twice every week. The palike will provide autorickshaws for the DWCCs to collect waste directly from households. “We have ordered 600 autos, which are expected to be delivered in July. We will distribute two or three autos in each ward,” Mr. Khan said.
Waste-pickers will henceforth collect dry waste from the doorstep, and process and sell waste. Ms. Shekhar expects the separate collection stream for dry waste by DWCCs to ensure and enhance segregation levels.
