Now, it will be ‘two bins and one bag’ system for waste collection and disposal for Bengalureans.
In a series of directions for effective municipal solid waste (MSW) management, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday directed using ‘two bins and one bag’ system while prohibiting citizens from using plastic bags or covers to dispose wet and hazardous wastes.
A Division Bench comprising Justice N. Kumar and Justice B.V. Nagarathna said that it would be mandatory for all categories of waste generators — residential, non-residential and government offices — to segregate waste into wet, hazardous and dry at source.
While biodegradable or wet waste should be handed over to collectors in a green-coloured bin or container, hazardous waste should be given in a red-coloured bin, the Bench said, while asking citizens to use reusable bags for handing over dry waste to collectors.
The court also said that plastic liners or plastic bags should not be used inside the bins while storing wet waste. Instead, recyclable papers or old newspapers could be used. The Bench prohibited citizens from throwing or dumping any waste in public or open spaces, including roadsides, drains or water bodies.
Pointing out that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) alone cannot handle the enormous amount of garbage generated in the city, the court said cooperation is needed from citizens, who are entrusted with the fundamental duty of protecting and improving the natural environment under Article 51A of the Constitution.
The Bench directed the BBMP to identify violators and impose penalty as per provisions of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act after publicising the changed system of waste collection and disposal.
