Sun Dec 15 17:58:26 UTC 2024: ## Chennai’s Waste Management: Progress and Persistent Challenges
**Chennai, December 16, 2024** – Chennai’s Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is making strides in its waste management efforts, but inconsistent source segregation remains a major hurdle, according to a recent presentation at the Urban Thinkers Campus. The city generates over 6,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, necessitating efficient systems.
While the GCC has implemented a multi-pronged approach including primary and secondary collection, decentralized processing (with 132 micro-composting centers and other facilities), and legacy waste clearance, household and business compliance with source segregation remains inconsistent. This hinders the effectiveness of decentralized processing, recycling, and resource recovery initiatives.
Significant progress has been made in clearing legacy waste. At the Perungudi landfill, 30.62 lakh cubic meters of waste have been processed, reclaiming 96 acres of land. Plans are underway to develop this reclaimed land with new waste processing facilities. Similar projects are underway at Kodungaiyur and Athipet.
The city utilizes a large fleet of battery-operated vehicles (BOVs) for waste collection and employs various methods for processing dry and wet waste, including incineration and bio-CNG plants. However, the lack of proper segregation at the source necessitates improvements in public awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement for bulk waste generators.
Despite the challenges, the GCC is committed to expanding decentralized infrastructure and upgrading transportation systems. However, officials acknowledge that consistent source segregation remains critical to achieving significant landfill diversion and maximizing resource recovery. The Corporation continues to focus on educating residents and enforcing compliance among bulk waste generators to improve the efficacy of its ambitious waste management plan.
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