1,900 households registered under Digital Haritha Karma Sena

The crops cultivated by the Heal Ponnurunni Society on 76 cents across four plots in the Ponnurunni East division.

Heal Ponnurunni Society (HPS) in the Ponnurunni East division of the Kochi Corporation, which has emerged as a model in sustainable waste management since its inception in December 2023, has set a new benchmark in QR code-based user fee collection for doorstep waste collection by the Haritha Karma Sena. A total of 1,828 households have been registered across the division.

In May alone, ₹1.98 lakh was collected as user fees under the Digital Heal Haritha Karma Sena initiative, while the total collection since the launch of the project stands at ₹38.67 lakh. Outstanding dues amount to ₹6.58 lakh. The QR code-based user fee system has been integrated into Kochi Corporation’s multi-purpose app, My Kochi.

“Ours is perhaps the only division in the State where QR code-based user fee collection has been fully implemented. Elsewhere, scanning the QR code only reveals whether a household is giving its waste to Haritha Karma Sena or not. In our case, multiple households in the same multi-storeyed buildings have been brought under the QR system using separate building numbers issued by the Corporation,” said Dipin Dileep, division councillor.

The waste collected is scientifically and hygienically converted into organic manure, without leaving any room for residents to complain about issues such as foul odour. Two months ago, HPS began marketing its organic manure under the brand name Heal Environment. The enriched manure is sold at ₹30 per kilogram and the raw manure form at ₹20 per kilogram through a small outlet near the Vyttila flyover. The product has received a positive response, with repeat customers generating ₹31,726 in sales during the period.

“We are also engaged in organic farming using our own manure on vacant plots, based on agreements with the landowners. Currently, we are cultivating vegetables on 76 cents spread across four such plots in the division. The produce is sold under the brand Heal Harvest, which has brought in ₹57,158 so far, along with ₹12,481 from the sale of grow bags. The initiative also addresses complaints about vacant plots turning into dumping yards,” Mr. Dileep added.

The Kochi Corporation has also granted HPS permission to collect waste from small establishments that are not classified as bulk waste generators. The income from these initiatives helps HPS cover its operational expenses, including staff wages.

Published - May 31, 2025 08:31 pm IST