20 corporation wards to take up source segregation

COIMBATORE: M Nagappan, a corporation sanitary worker deployed in PN Pudur area in the west zone, is thrilled about the prospect of being able to earn a little extra money by segregating and collecting dry waste which will be recycled. In an attempt to take its source segregation of garbage to the next level, the civic body is planning to extend the activity to all 20 wards in its West Zone.Towards this end, it will conduct awareness drives and offer incentives to its sanitary workers to ensure their active participation in segregating waste materials from residential and commercial structures across the zone. As many as 450 sanitary workers are deployed in the West Zone of the corporation.
"Some of the workers who are deployed in the Sunya ward no 23 in RS Puram have been getting incentives like 3 for every kg of plastic waste collected and handed over for recycling," said V Selvaraj, a sanitary worker from PN Pudur locality.
The west zone sanitary workers had arrived to participate in the initial session conducted on behalf of the corporation and the private firm that will process the segregated dry waste for recycling. The session was organised by Bharathi Park locality on Tuesday. G Latha, corporation commissioner, said that the source segregation and zero waste management project has been progressing well with the support of residents.
According to the corporation estimate, out of the total 850 tonnes of daily municipal garbage generated within city limits, about 30 per cent is plastic waste material. The presence of plastic waste mixed with the regular municipal waste arriving at Vellalore dump yard has been a long standing issue which the civic body has been trying to resolve. The corporation has tied up with ITC, a private company which has agreed to supply protective gear like hand gloves and face mask for the sanitary workers while engaged in garbage collection. Each sanitary worker will be paid 3 for every kg of plastic recycling material handed over at pre-designated collection centres. An additional 1 per kg will also be paid to the corporation which officials will use to conduct special incentive and gift distribution drives for sanitary workers and residents who offer maximum support and co-operation regarding this project.