Waste Management | Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

Am I paying taxes to get killed?

September 17, 2019 Sakuntala Narasimhan

Bengaluru is beset with rotting garbage, killer potholes and increasing dengue cases. Yet the BBMP is planning a steep hike in property taxes. So should we pay?

How Bengaluru is targeting 100% segregation of waste by December 2019: BBMP’s new SWM bye-laws

August 23, 2019 Kedar Koushik

With its new draft bye-laws on solid waste management (SWM), BBMP is aiming for 100% waste segregation and minimal use of landfills. The bye-laws mandate waste segregation into eight streams, steep penalties for offenders, and greater role for ward committees in SWM

All you need to know about composting garden waste

August 16, 2019 Luke Dhanaraj

Pit composting is perhaps the easiest way to dispose of garden waste – it takes minimal effort, and gives you high-quality manure for your garden. But what exactly happens in a compost pit? And how do you ensure the right conditions for composting? Here’s an explainer

How this Bellandur apartment saves Rs 25,000 a year composting garden waste

August 14, 2019 Luke Dhanaraj

The residents of Sobha Quartz once used to pay tractor operators to dump their garden waste. But once they started composting this waste instead, their garden has thrived from the compost, and they now save around Rs 25,000 a year

How to compost wet waste in your apartment with just a bucket

August 5, 2019 Abhijna N C

If you live in an apartment, you may find disposing wet waste difficult. But to compost this waste, all you need is an old bucket. Here’s a DIY guide on making your own ‘compost bucket’ and using the compost in your garden

Handbags from milk cartons, plants in coconut shells, and more at Second to None sale

July 31, 2019 Grace Madigan

Bengaluru generates thousands of tonnes of waste everyday, but we can reduce it substantially by using recycled or repurposed products. Here is an account of some interesting recycled products that were sold at an event organised by the volunteer group Second To None, last Saturday

Metal straws, fruit-cups and more: How six Bengaluru restaurants are cutting down waste

July 22, 2019 Grace Madigan

Restaurants generate huge amounts of plastic and other dry waste everyday. Here are innovative methods six Bengaluru restaurants devised, to minimise their waste footprint

Towards water security: How to set up a greywater treatment system

June 19, 2019 News Desk

Greywater – that is, wastewater from bathrooms, washing machines etc – can be treated and reused for non-potable purposes. A greywater treatment system can meet about 40 percent of your household’s water requirement. Here’s how to set up the system

Demolished bridge, upcoming sewer line, leaves ST Bed Layout stranded

June 4, 2019 Muralidhar Rao

Over two months back, BBMP demolished the Maharaja Junction bridge that connected ST Bed Layout residents to the main road. The new bridge was to be built in 45 days, but work has been in limbo after the BWSSB came up with new plans to build a sewerage line beneath the stormwater drain under the bridge!

Bengaluru non-profit builds play spaces from scrap

May 30, 2019 Sakshi Rao

As children’s play spaces are shrinking, the non-profit Anthill Creations has been transforming government school playgrounds and open spaces in the city. Anthill uses scrap materials to build durable, innovative play structures

How Bengaluru’s crumbling Dry Waste Collection Centres can be overhauled

May 20, 2019 Nalini Shekar

Dry Waste Collection Centres (DWCCs) perform the critical function of collecting, sorting and disposing of dry waste in the city. But the majority of these centres are dilapidated, with few facilities and difficult work conditions. A recent study suggests ways to change this.

“Garbage problem can’t be managed from BBMP head office alone”: Special Commissioner

March 8, 2019 Manasi Paresh Kumar

The new waste management system will fail if ward committees don’t take ownership locally, says BBMP Special Commissioner D Randeep.

With meagre pay and unhealthy conditions, why do Bengaluru pourakarmikas continue in their jobs?

February 26, 2019 Krupa Sriram

Illiteracy, caste dynamics and social constraints of a migrant worker — a survey in Whitefield reveals the mix of factors that keep a pourakarmika bound to her profession, irrespective of the conditions and compensation.

Why HSR residents are fighting in court against KCDC compost plant

January 25, 2019 Arjun Rajan

Years of follow ups have not been able to help the KCDC plant in HSR Layout function scientifically, and residents are bearing the brunt. A residents welfare association has recently filed a writ petition in the High Court demanding the closure of the plant.

How mishandling of garbage contributes to Bengaluru’s air quality crisis

December 28, 2018 Arjun Rajan

The mismanagement of solid waste continues in Bengaluru with incessant garbage burning. There are PILs filed in the High Court, but will they help reducing burning of garbage?