ITC Group gives helping hand to solid waste management

Mumbai, Apr 14 (UNI) In its bid for a tangible contribution to society, the ITC group has launched a pilot public-private project of solid waste management in Saharanpur city of Uttar Pradesh.

The project, being implemented by an NGO, Muskan Jyoti Samiti, in joint collaboration with local municipal authorities and the district administration has adopted ''Khalasi Line'' locality, covering 2500 households.

Mr Mewalal, Chairman of Muskan Jyoti Samiti, told UNI that this was the first project of its kind in the entire country.

''With the firm backing of a corporate group, we have started this model project for waste management through door to door waste collection, segregation of waste into recyclable and organic waste, sale of recyclable waste and decomposition of organic waste into manure. Encouraged by the success of the project we are planning to extend it to the entire city in due course,'' said Mr Mewalal adding that the Indian waste management system is starved of resources to tackle the increasing demands associated with growing urbanization.

''Due to budgetary constraints, inadequate equipment and poor planning with poor solid waste management is more prevalent in India, particularly in certain low-income areas, where waste is not collected at all'' Mr Mewalal said adding that estimated 30-40 percent of disposed solid wastes are left uncollected leading to detrimental effects on the environment and human beings.

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