logo
Haritha Karma Sena members given training to increase efficiency

Haritha Karma Sena members given training to increase efficiency

The Hindu13-06-2025

Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) members in Ernakulam were imparted training to make their work more efficient as part of the 'Waste-free Kerala' campaign on Friday (June 13).
The Kudumbashree district mission organised the function at the Thrikkakara community centre. The district now has 4,024 HKS members. Presidents and secretaries of various HKS consortiums across various local bodies participated in the session in which the possibilities, challenges, and meaningful intervention by the agency were discussed.
Welfare fund board district executive officer S. Jayamohan spoke about the welfare schemes and benefits for the unorganised workforce. HKS members were trained in how to take online membership to benefit from the schemes. Clean Kerala Company Limited technical assistant P.A. Sabitha led the session on segregating non-biodegradable waste. HKS members were trained in auditing and maintaining accounts. They also shared their experiences.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Uncertain of e-waste volume, Punjab starts statewide audit of sources
Uncertain of e-waste volume, Punjab starts statewide audit of sources

Time of India

time15 hours ago

  • Time of India

Uncertain of e-waste volume, Punjab starts statewide audit of sources

Chandigarh: To clamp down on and track electronic waste, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has launched a statewide mapping exercise to identify and catalogue all e-waste sources. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative aims to compile a comprehensive inventory of bulk consumers, repair and dismantling units, authorised recyclers, and informal sector operators across Punjab. Electronic waste includes discarded electrical and electronic equipment—from refrigerators and washing machines to computers, mobile phones, televisions, and small appliances. Proper disposal is vital to protect public health and environment: it prevents the release of toxic substances such as lead, cadmium, and mercury into soil and water, and conserves valuable resources. In contrast, uncontrolled dumping or informal dismantling can contaminate ecosystems, harm human health, and contribute to resource depletion. At present, PPCB only receives data from industrial sources that voluntarily report their e-waste figures. Information from the informal sector and smaller generators remains largely unknown. With e-waste emerging as one of the fastest-growing waste streams, regulators see this inventory as essential to bringing unmonitored actors under formal oversight. PPCB senior officer Parveen Saluja, who oversees e-waste management, said they were in the process of engaging experienced consultants to conduct a comprehensive statewide survey on e-waste. An expression of interest (EoI) has been invited for this purpose. The survey will cover a wide range of stakeholders, including bulk consumers, service centres, repair shops, collection points, informal dismantlers, recyclers, and others involved in the e-waste ecosystem. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The selected agency will be responsible for collecting field data, compiling records, and delivering detailed reports, which will guide the state in formulating robust strategies for e-waste collection, recycling, and safe disposal. PPCB officials added the findings from this exercise will form the backbone of a state action plan on e-waste, enhance compliance monitoring, and curb illegal handling and disposal practices. They also emphasised the importance of raising awareness among consumers and informal sector workers about the hazards of improper e-waste disposal—an effort they believe will promote more responsible and sustainable practices across the board. By combining data-driven governance with grassroots engagement, Punjab hopes to establish a cleaner, more sustainable framework for managing its burgeoning e-waste challenge. BOXES Responsible handling a must Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, every stakeholder in the e-waste lifecycle bears specific obligations to ensure responsible handling and recycling. These rules apply to all electrical and electronic equipment listed in Schedule I—along with their components and spares—and cover producers, manufacturers, importers, refurbishers, collection centres, recyclers, and bulk consumers. Rules for producers, manufacturers Producers and manufacturers must register with the Punjab Pollution Control Board, establish and finance collection systems, and guarantee environmentally sound take-back, recycling, or disposal of their products under an extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework. Authorisation must for recyclers, dismantlers Recyclers and dismantlers are required to obtain authorisation, follow prescribed processes such as safe dismantling, shredding, and material separation, and maintain detailed records of all quantities handled. Bulk consumers—large offices, institutions, and similar organisations—must channel their end-of-life equipment exclusively to authorised collection points or recyclers. By embedding these obligations throughout the e-waste chain, the rules promote a circular economy, conserve valuable resources, and mitigate the environmental and health risks posed by toxic substances in discarded electronics. NEED FOR AUDIT Uncontrolled dumping or informal dismantling can contaminate ecosystems, harm human health, and contribute to resource depletion At present, PPCB only receives data from industrial sources that voluntarily report their e-waste figures Information from the informal sector and smaller generators remains largely unknown With e-waste emerging as one of the fastest-growing waste streams, regulators see this inventory as essential to bringing unmonitored actors under formal oversight

Corporation set to tackle food waste crisis with black soldier fly composting
Corporation set to tackle food waste crisis with black soldier fly composting

New Indian Express

time2 days ago

  • New Indian Express

Corporation set to tackle food waste crisis with black soldier fly composting

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an effort to combat the mounting organic garbage crisis in the state capital, the city corporation is all set to introduce black soldier fly (BSF) composting technology to manage food waste. The eco-friendly waste-treatment method, with a proven record in Kochi, is expected to reduce the city's dependence on private service providers and pig farms. The civic body is planning to set up two BSF composting units in the city over the next four months. According to officials, over 100 tonnes of food waste is currently collected daily by service providers and Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) members from households, restaurants and eateries. However, unregulated collection practices and illegal dumping have raised a lot of questions. 'Unlike aerobic composting, BSF composting units require more space. A BSF composting unit will take up at least an acre of land. We have identified three acres of land at two locations and one of the units will come up on two acres,' an official source said. The move comes amid repeated criticism by the local self-government department (LSGD) of delays and inefficiencies in the city's organic waste management initiatives. Recently, LSGD Minister M B Rajesh convened a high-level meeting to draw up a comprehensive action plan to resolve the food waste crisis in the city. Special secretary Anupama T V has been assigned to oversee implementation of the plan. In addition to the BSF plants, the civic body also plans to expand the capacity of the existing rapid composting plant in Kalladimukham to 50 tonnes and set up a new unit at Chalai. Meanwhile, the plan to set up a compressed bio-gas (CBG) plant is gaining pace.

Enhanced facilities to plug gaps in non-biodegradable waste management in Ernakulam
Enhanced facilities to plug gaps in non-biodegradable waste management in Ernakulam

The Hindu

time5 days ago

  • The Hindu

Enhanced facilities to plug gaps in non-biodegradable waste management in Ernakulam

Ernakulam has plugged gaps in the management of non-biodegradable waste by setting up facilities that can manage up to 240 metric tonnes daily, according to official estimates. The total generation of non-biodegradable waste in the district is 239 metric tonnes per day. Local bodies in the district have facilities that can process a total of about 150 metric tonnes. Clean Kerala Company Limited has a godown facility to take care of 78 metric tonnes of waste daily, while private agencies involved in waste management are processing 78 metric tonnes per day, according to the monthly progress report for March, 2025, submitted by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) before the Ministry of Jal Shakthi. The Board submitted the updated status report on May 31, 2025, in connection with the case related to polluted river stretches in the country considered by the National Green Tribunal. The report said that local bodies in the State had developed comprehensive plans for the movement of vehicles to collect waste from households and transport it to processing facilities. The implementation of the plans is being monitored at the State and district levels through the 'Harithamithram' application aimed at ensuring efficient waste collection. To enhance monitoring, all waste transporting vehicles are required to have GPS tracking, and the PCB has set up a web portal for real-time monitoring of waste-carrying vehicles, both within and across the State borders. The report said that efforts were on to equip material collection facilities and resource recovery facilities with the necessary tools for effective waste management, which included conveyor belts and baling machines. It suggested that the reject waste generated could be converted into refuse-derived fuel to enable smooth transportation and reduce the dependence on landfills.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store