“Swachh Centre (SCs) a “integrated dry & plastic waste recovery and recycling centers” for processing all types of plastic; (PET, HPDE, LDPE, PVC, PP, PS and others). which is collected with support from City Municipal Corporations (CMC)s) and from the DWCCs ( Decentralized Waste Collection Centres ) established in the city through the kabadiwallahs network, small aggregators, waste pickers and others. “
An introduction :
India currently generates 62 million tons of waste (both recyclable and non–recyclable) every year, with an average annual growth rate of 4%. Waste generation in urban areas of India will be 0.7 kg per person per day in 2025, approximately four to six times higher than in 1999.
Everyday waste generation is increasing in india but due to limited facility on local level everywhere waste is deposited but we can easily manage it through decentralized waste management centre & Material recovery Facility .
Process to achieve –
- Set up of sustainable dry waste management and recycling center (SWACHH CENTRE/ Material recovery Facility ) – to promote ULBs for better segregation of different dry waste, including plastics, further recycling of various rigid plastics, thin and multilayered and getting the granules also processed into products. Creating job creation and impact livelihoods for the informal sector stakeholders. Ensuring efficient processing systems through both collection and purchase of the materials in the supply chain to strengthen collection of all types of plastics.
- Create Decentralized Waste Collection Centers (DWCCs) and mainstreaming small aggregators – in the City Wards with a focus on small aggregators by resourcing them with investments in machinery to create entrepreneurial habits. Supporting them with more formal systems approach.
- Mainstreaming Waste Pickers individually and SHGs – Safai Mitras (SM) individually or through self-help groups (SHGs) by norming and forming their enterprises in the waste sector.
- Creates technology applications – to integrate the material flow efficiencies through digital app-based models for better traceability and transparency of materials.
- Capacity Building and Experiential Learning – focus on larger trainings and exposure visits for all the stakeholders in the plastics supply chain
Process Followed :
Establish the Infrastructure & strengthen the Supply chain system for segregation , collection , Transportation , Processing & linkages from the government registered recyclers .
Technology : Swachh Centre/ Material Recovery Facility – Recovery, Recycling and Product making Operations
The outputs of segregated waste in SC will be picked by the Swachh Recycling (and the product making) Centre. (SRC). The SC will also directly collect materials from the waste collectors with recyclers along the value chain particularly for the low-grade, thin plastic litter bags, multi-layered plastics, PET, rigid plastics of all types in the city. The value addition will be done on the collected plastic waste on the parameters of thickness, their qualities; and re-processed (e.g. granules making, gatta making, then using various processes in making the Bags through blower machines/inject molding machines, shredding for the road making, etc.) .
The SCs are largely, integrated within the existing systems and can cater more than 08-10 MTs of plastic waste per day. The SC will specially focus on collection, segregation of low-grade, thin plastic litter, bags and multilayered plastics.
Operation & maintenances of Material recovery Facility / Swachh Kendra by SHGs group
Operation & maintenance is the most important part of any center. We Can manage the Swachh Centre / Material Recovery Facility through a experiences Recyclers , Waste Pickers Association , a womens group ( self help group ) & any entrepreneur
Conclusion
Establishing Swachh centre / Material Recovery facility on decentralized model should be encouraged in each city community participation & ownerships which has led to
Improve Source Segregation in the urban City Municipal Corporation and rural areas of 20 blocks allotted,
Strengthen Dry, including plastics of all types waste collection, segregation transportation mechanism
Maximize resource recovery by facilitating establishment of the Integrated Facility – MRF
Promote backward linkages (collection, purchase from informal sector) in the supply chain to strengthen the collection of all types of plastics.
Establish forward, market (recyclers, bulk waste generators {BWGs}) Linkages and backward as recyclers, refurbishes etc.
Promote community engagement and ownership (“Jan-Andolan”)
Develop sustainable business model to promote social security, job creation and impact the livelihoods of the local women SHG groups and other informal sector stakeholders.
Arvind Kumar
Waste Management Advisor
GIZ , India
