WAYS TO DIVERT WASTE IN SCHOOL

To start a waste reduction program on the school campus, the first thing that should be done is to assess the existing waste management system. This is done to understand how waste is handled, the amount and type of waste produced, and what new initiatives are needed for better management. After the waste assessment, you need to identify target materials that need to be reduced and set goals to reduce those materials. Looking for alternatives materials in the market, educating the participants, and launching the program are the steps that follow later. More information on how to conduct waste assessment can be found here https://www.epa.gov/smm/instructions-conducting-waste-assessments. 

Below are some ideas that can be implemented in schools to divert and reduce waste.

1. Conduct recycling competitions

Forming students teams by class/age, etc., and compete over a month's time period to collect the largest amount of recyclables. This increases the recycling awareness amongst the students and also initiatives behavior change. 

2. Composting 

Educate and encourage students to learn how to compost their waste. Every school much initiate a composting program where they can show students how to compost the food waste and use the compost as manure for the school garden. 

3. Donations

Giving back to society is an essential value that every child must learn. A donation day can be set up in the school where students can bring their extra clothes, school supplies, old books, toys, school furniture, etc. that they want to get rid of and donate it to students and people in the society who are in need. 

4. Trash art

Art is a way to express thoughts and emotions. Conducting an art competition where students are encouraged to use the waste in the school and create masterpieces is a good way to boost the creative mindsets and also divert waste. 

5. Student-led waste group

Having a student-led group on campus that acts as waste ambassadors in conducting waste audits, conducting events on waste reduction, inviting specialists to give a talk, composting, educating other students, and raising awareness on reducing waste is a great way to train the students to be future leaders in the field of environment. Some activity ideas are discussed here https://www.epa.gov/students/quest-less-activities-and-resources-teaching-k-8

Regulation of waste at Transfer station: case study east Janakhpuri, Delhi

                                 Collection and transfer of waste in East Janakhpuri, Delhi

Capital of India, Delhi houses a number of major industries, international centers, commercial areas and residential areas. Due to its relevance and importance in the country, it is swamped with huge number of people trying to make a living in the never sleeping city of India. Janakhpuri is neighbourhood in Delhi consisting of 4 wards, east, west, north and south.  

    A 1780 square feet (approximate) transfer station at Janakhpuri East  is supervised by Mr. Praveen Kumar. He is an employee of A to Z, Ecogreen Envirotech Solution Limited (EESL), which has a contract with Municipal Corporation Delhi. The transfer station consists of a compactor which has a capacity to compact 8-10 tones of waste. It has three layers of plates which is used to compact the waste. Around 15 tones of waste is received daily from almost 10,600 houses in the area. Out of this 2 ton of waste is segregated as wet waste which is used to make compost. Right now, the condition of compost collecting bin is not efficient and some upgrading. After 3 months, around 200-300 kg of compost is generated for use. The area has around 336 vehicles in total and each vehicle makes around 4-5 trips in a day. To manage such a huge amount of people and to maintain the policy, a fine of 200 rupees per day is collected after three warnings. After that, if people still pollute, rupees 10,000 per day is collected as fine. After fourth notice, the person who is not complying by the rules is arrested. This is according to what is being reported by the supervisor but the actual rate of fine collection on field is uncertain. 

    The waste is then taken to Okhla for waste to energy conversion. Around 12 lakh rupees is used per month to manage waste of Janakhpuri East. The problem that is faced by the company as per the information given by Mr, Praveen Kumar is that people are not willing to change their behavior. For them, it is not a big deal to pay fine of 200 rupees. He also said that people have tried to threaten the authorities regarding not paying fine or segregating waste. Big change is needed in the field of waste management in India. Fine collection should be strictly complied and A solution can be collection of fine based on income so that rich people are also affected. Better monitoring and implementation of policies as well as behavioral change and outreach is the need of the hour.