Urban local bodies in Ernakulam achieve 80% coverage in doorstep waste collection by volunteers

Urban local bodies in Ernakulam have achieved a total coverage of 80% in deployment of Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) volunteers for doorstep collection of non-biodegradable waste from households and commercial establishments as of August this year.

The Kochi Corporation has achieved a total coverage of 96% in deployment of volunteers. The thirteen municipalities in the district have attained a total coverage of 85%, according to the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB). The data was compiled as part of steps taken by civic bodies for management of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.

The deployment of HKS volunteers as part of the government’s ‘waste-free Kerala’ initiative saw an increase in the 2024-25 fiscal. Volunteers involved in doorstep collection of plastic and other non-biodegradable waste have been instrumental in streamlining efforts to plug the gaps in the collection and sorting of waste, according to an assessment by the government’s Suchitwa Mission.

Urban local bodies in the district have also stepped up efforts to bring households and commercial establishments availing the services of volunteers under the Haritha Mithram mobile application used for doorstep collection of waste. Volunteers have set up QR codes in front of households and commercial units as part of the implementation of the digital tool. Local bodies can track waste collection and payment of user fee using the app. QR codes were set up under the smart garbage monitoring system that aims to streamline waste collection and management.

Meanwhile, civic bodies have informed the Department of Local Self Government that many households are yet to seek the services of HKS as they are against the collection of monthly user fee. The households want the respective civic bodies to foot the expenses for waste collection, it is learnt.