All dumpsites in Kerala to be phased out

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move aimed at phased removal of dumpsites in local bodies across the state, the local self-government department has embarked on a mission to scientifically do away with all disposal areas.

Suchitwa Mission has been tasked to undertake bioremediation (use of microorganisms to degrade contaminants) of historic dumpsites in the state. This shall be done by engaging private parties with expertise following request for proposals and tender procedures. As a preliminary step, Suchitwa Mission will do an audit of number of dumpsites in local bodies in the state.
Unscientific management of landfills across the state has resulted in mountains of trash piles, flow of leachate to adjacent water bodies and environmental pollution. Local protests had also surfaced over such dumpsites, which has made difficult for the government to proceed with any waste-management scheme.
In Thiruvananthapuram, steps have been underway to remove heaps of waste accumulated in two major dumpyards in the city: Palayam and Erumakuzhy through biomining and bioremediation. The corporation estimates that over 11,000 cubic metres of unsegregated waste have been piled up at Erumakuzhy and Palayam over the last few years.
The dump yard at Palayam will be cleared through biomining as part of Smart City project.
Biomining of legacy waste/un-processed municipal solid waste is done by excavation of the non-biodegradable waste by using suitable mechanical sieving machine or any other suitable equipment, by segregating and retrieving recoverable materials, by recycling and dumpsite land reclamation. It is roughly estimated that there could be roughly 9,684 cubic metres of legacy waste spread over 40 cents (0.4 Acre) at Palayam.
The health wing of city corporation has recently undertaken a total station survey to assess the volume of waste that has to be biomined at Erumakuzhy. The survey results showed that 2,388 cubic metres of waste have accumulated at Erumakuzhy.
The civic body is doing biomining of two dump yards as per rule 15 of solid waste management rules, 2016. As per the rule, the local body has to investigate and analyse all old open dumpsites and existing operational dumpsites for the potential of biomining and bioremediation and take necessary actions to biomine or bioremediate the sites. National green tribunal had raised alarm that the incremental growth of municipal solid-waste dumpsites has resulted in mountains of waste and NGT had directed central pollution control board (CPCB) to propose standard operating procedure (SOP) for biomining and bioremediation of legacy solid waste.
As part of bioremediation and biomining, the dumpsite is excavated and waste is stabilized through bioremediation; exposure of all the waste to air along with use of composting biocultures. The stabilized waste will be screened to recover all valuable resources like plastic, brick, metals, clothes, rags followed by sustainable management through recycling, co-processing and road-making, according to SOP issued by CPCB.