SDMC to give ration to waste pickers in return for garbage

NEW DELHI: South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has come up with a unique initiative wherein waste pickers will get free ration and other essential items in exchange of garbage. The initiative is aimed at making its area free of single-use plastic and at encouraging waste pickers to bring segregated waste in large quantities.
SDMC commissioner Gyanesh Bharti inaugurated a ‘Save our planet’ centre in Tagore Garden on Saturday where plastic items and wet waste will be exchanged with essential items, such as soap, rice, bucket and compost. The facility will be available at the centre in a few weeks.
The quantity of ration will depend on the quantity of waste. For 5 kg plastic, 2 kg rice will be given. And for 2 kg plastic waste, mustard oil or a dustbin of 12 litres capacity will be given. In exchange of 1 kg wet waste, half kg organic compost will be given and for 25 kg waste, a detergent packet.
“Not all small waste pickers can sell plastic easily at a decent price. But we are giving them the option to conveniently sell it in their neighbourhood and get ration also. Based on the response here, we may set up more such units,” said Rajiv Jain, SDMC nodal officer for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
“The initiative also gives an opportunity to common people to contribute to the cause and get free compost in return for segregated waste,” added Jain.
To further segregate the dry waste collected from homes, a material recovery facility has been set up in Tagore Garden. To make compost out of wet waste, the civic agency has also established an aerobic compost plant of one tonne per day capacity on Najafgarh Road.