Audit shows Diwali waste down on OMR

CHENNAI: An audit account released by city-based waste management service Wastewinn Foundation has reported a significant decline in the fireworks waste this Diwali over last year.

The audit, conducted across 2,200 flats falling between Thazhambur and Kelambakkam on OMR, reported 1,347kg waste generated, of which 20% is recyclable. "Last year, our audit conducted across 1,200 households on this belt, showed 1,250kg of waste was generated. This year, however, the same number of households have only generated about 650kg. The Supreme Court directive this year allowing only low-emission fire crackers seems to have made a difference. Also, its 8pm to 10pm window for celebrations has been followed by a large number of apartments on this belt," says I Priyadharshini, founder of Wastewinn Foundation.

The organization, an authorized waste management service, works with bulk waste generators including apartment buildings, commercial complexes and IT companies who source segregate, classifying waste as organic, recyclable and sanitary.

While plastic waste generated from setting off fireworks is negligible, only about 25% of the overall waste collected after the audit has been recyclable, it says. "While paper and metal waste can be sent to recyclers, plastic and other packaging containing chemicals cannot be recycled and have to be sent to landfills. This is still not sustainable for the environment and through the course of these audits, we want to create awareness and further reduce firecracker use during Diwali in the coming years," says Priyadharshini.