Zero-waste trial at K.G. Tower Park shows how festival waste can be managed sustainably

On August 30, the third day of Ganesha immersion, a waste management trial at K.G. Tower Park turned into a small but significant success story.

In a joint effort by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) Solid Waste Management, the Horticulture Department, Zero Waste Collective–Malleswaram (ZWC-M), and residents, over a tonne of festival waste was sorted and processed on-site.

“Marshals were stationed at multiple points at the visarjan, and only Ganesha idols made of clay were immersed. NGOs and volunteers were both involved in segregating the festival waste into three major sections of wet, dry, and food categories,” said Gautham, supervisor, BBMP Ward 35.

About 25 marshals were stationed to manage the crowd, and 11 volunteers were appointed to segregate waste at the Sankey Tank Kalyani.

Raghuram, junior health inspector, BBMP, said, “Day 1 and Day 3 recorded the highest Ganesha idol immersions at the Sankey Tank with flower waste alone accounting for over a tonne. While the residents were asked to hand over the idols 500 metres away from the water, marshals were situated to take forward the Ganeshas and handle the waste.

Drums were placed at almost 10 to 12 locations within the perimeter, including the prasada counter, and tipper vehicles carried away the waste to sheds at the nearby parks, said Mr. Raghuram.

“When the BBMP approached us to provide space for segregation, we were more than happy to help. Thus, the parks in proximity, like the K.G. Tower Park, Sankey Tank Park, and Low-level Park, etc. were dedicated to process the waste,” said Ravi B.B., Assistant Horticulture Officer, West Zone.

Mr. Ravi said the Horticulture Department team contributed to cleaning the Kalyani every day between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. after the previous night’s immersion, and geared up for the next day.

Aparna Desraj Urs, a member of ZWC-M, said, “After the waste was directed to the sheds, their team carried out a segregation process to eliminate the non-decomposable materials such as blouse pieces and idols, to be later made into bags.”

The flower waste was then moved to a 7.5 HP chopper machine provided by the BBMP. The waste was minced and separated into five different compost waste bins. “We processed over 400 kg of flower waste and sorted over 50 kg of dry waste, and this attempt was a huge success,” said Ms. Urs.