Lane composting begins in Sector 3

It’s a pilot project on two streets on 22nd Cross and Twin Park Road

By SAFIYA SAYEED
The HSR Citizen Forum has begun yet another pilot project: Lane Composting. With 12 lane composters donated by MLA Satish Reddy, they have begun by installing two in Sector 3: 22nd Cross and Twin Park Road. With the BBMP clearly stating that decentralised garbage processing is on cards, this kind of lane composting could well spark some interest among the residents who want to replicate it elsewhere.

HSR is perfect for this because nearly 90% wet waste is segregated at source. Right now, the waste is sent to the Karnataka Compost Development Corporation (KCDC). But what if KCDC shuts down, thanks to the unscientific management of the plant? Where will the waste go?

Here is where this pilot project could emerge as a viable solution. Even better ofcourse would be if every household composts its wet waste at home using traditional methods or smart bins.

As forum founder Shanthi Tummala says, “The main challenge in setting up localised processing units is because people don’t want them in their backyard. People equate wet waste processing to stink and nobody would like to stay close to a composting unit. But why does wet waste stink? The time taken from the generation of waste to the actual processing at the compost facility is anywhere from 2 to 5 days. That is when the piled up waste starts rotting in un-aerobic conditions and therefore the smell. So the sooner it is processed, the lesser the smell.”

Lane composting will allow residents to dump all the wet waste in one lane in a composter that is kept on the footpath near the house of the lane-volunteer. “The composter will be locked, so that no passer-by can drop any litter in it. The BBMP supervisor who holds the key will be held accountable for the quality of segregated wet waste dropped in the composter,” says member Smita Kulkarni. “The composting method is aerobic and low-maintenance.”

However, the pilot project could hit a road hump. Says resident Pradeep K: “Come rains and the composter is going to stink like hell when all the organisms will start to breed.” Then again, this is only a pilot project. But the organisers don’t want the fear of the unknown to stop them. If something happens, they will figure out a way. After all, it’s a good idea that needs to be given a chance.