Disaggregating solid wastes within the source of origin: Policy unimplemented

The Kathmandu Metropolis’ decision to implement the policy of disaggregating solid waste within the source of its origin is yet to be fully implemented.

Lack of cooperation on the part of the Kathmandu folks is blamed for it. It may be noted that earlier the local government had, through a notice, publicly urged the Valley denizens to separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes before providing them to collectors. As the metropolis said, the rule would come into force from the first day of the current fiscal (July 17). But so far practice is that the Valley people are not serious about the call and went along with the old ways.

Similarly, confusions hover over fixing locations for managing bio-degradable and non-biodegradable wastes in the Bancharedanda landfill site.

The Kathmandu metropolis said it would fine Rs 500 in case of the violation of the waste disaggregation rule. The Solid Waste Management Act, 2011,  and the Environment and Natural Resources Conservation Act issued by the Kathmandu metropolis in 2077 BS provides a legal ground to acceptable those failing to fulfill responsibility for urban sanitation and cleanliness.

The Act makes the people producing the waste responsible for its separation at its source itself.

The developed countries are found to manage the waste systematically generated in cities and turn it into a source of income.

However, the management of Kathmandu Valley's waste has become a big problem almost every year, giving a bad name to the country itself for not being able to manage the waste sustainably.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has been scouting for identifying places for managing biodegradable waste within the Kathmandu Valley itself.

Meanwhile, KMC said it is carrying out works for identifying the place for long-term management of waste effectively in the coming days as dumping all kinds of waste at the Bancharedanda landfill site has created problems time and again.

KMC is adopting this measure in line with its plan of not managing hazardous waste at Bancharedanda.

"Three sites have been identified within the Valley. The management of biodegradable waste will be started in mid-November if there is no obstruction to this in the meantime. We are also holding discussions with the locals in this connection," said Sunil Lamsal, a member of the KMC Mayor's secretariat.

A minimum of 50 ropanis lands would be required at a single site for waste management. Presently, the waste from 18 local levels in the Valley, including KMC, is being managed at Bancharedanda.

The KMC is looking for a suitable site for managing the biodegradable waste within the Valley itself with the consideration that dumping all kinds of garbage only in Bancharedanda is not an appropriate option. KMC is in the process of identifying additional sites for this purpose.

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