Segregating waste since 1980s

Nagpur: I have been practicing segregation of waste since 1980s when the concept was quite unheard of. Being a scientist in the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (

Neeri

), the environment-friendly practice came naturally to me.

During those days, I had travelled to various European countries and was impressed to see how every household would separate their garbage. I even attended an advanced course in waste management.

Those were the years when the civic body had no rules or provisions in place for segregating waste. We would hand over segregated waste to the garbage collectors but it would eventually get all mixed-up. But it didn’t deter me from doing my bit.

On the contrary, I started talking to people around me, telling them what I was doing and its benefits. Separating waste and putting it in two bins of different colours is also a playful activity. I taught it to my kids and they would further share it with their classmates. These habits should be inculcated from an impressionable age.

In our house, we never mix the kitchen waste with dry items like paper or plastic. We don’t have a place to do composting but those who do should definitely try to reuse most of the wet waste for it.

What we need to realize is that there is no other alternative left apart from segregation at source. It is beneficial for both environment and public health at large. It opens up avenues for recycling and reuse of various items. Also, if done efficiently, it will also save a large part of taxpayers money.

For a better tomorrow, this practice needs to start at individual level. While civic body has formulated rules and guidelines, it is in the hands of citizens to make it work.