Sticklers for source segregation of waste can have a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) moment when they see their green and dry waste reunited in unholy matrimony. That is the nightmare of every person conscientiously following proper waste management practices in their personal turf. To be certain their waste is not adding to a dump, some of these people, each a real rara avis, decide to “utilise” shred by shred the waste they generate at home. They spare themselves a BSoD moment in this manner. They compost the biodegradable waste, squirrel away the recyclable waste till the day in the week the recycler they have signed on (usually along with other like-minded, similarly conscientious neighbours) turns up. Being paranoid does help protect the planet.

And sometimes, not paranoia, but plain facts force their hand in this manner. Do not be surprised to find a growing number of residents of enclaves and gated communities along a new bypass road, one connecting to New Perungalathur at GST Road, taking waste management into their own, conscientious hands. The trigger for this approach is the garbage they just handed over showing up round the corner. A patch by the side of this bypass road is being used as a dumping spot by the Nedungundram panchayat. 

Jayaraman Srinivasan is among a group of residents at SSM Nagar which is on this bypass road, and located diametrically opposite the alarmingly developing garbage dump. 

“The garbage from the SSM Nagar does not end up there, as community has signed up with an entity that takes the garbage elsewhere. Nedungundram panchayat collects garbage from surrounding neighbourhoods and communities including Seshadri Nagar, Isha Flats and TVS Villas and dumps it here. When I contacted the Nedungundram panchayat, a top functionary expressed helplessness on the part of the civic body to find an alternative spot; and that lack of choice had led them to use this patch for dumping.” 

Jayaraman notes that this is causing a problem of secondary dumping, illustrating how individuals arrive in cars and offload garbage on to this patch.

One also notices waste pickers rummaging through this garbage. With these activities, this spot seems to be hurtling towards being “accepted” as a regular dumping spot.

The only solution under the given circumstances that could be effective is communities being proactive in the management of the waste they generate. Through sustained campaign, awareness drives and encouragement, a group SSM Nagar residents have got around 500 households to keep aside their recyclable waste for a recycler to collect it. Other communities could take a leaf out of their book. 

Says Jayaraman: “S&P Villa and Shrusti Villa Phase I are also doing a bit of dry waste segregation. More communities should do the same.”