PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) is planning to send separate vehicles to collect dry waste like polystyrene (thermocol) as its generation increases during Deepawali season. Dedicated vehicles will potentially soon be deployed for this purpose as part of the corporation’s broader effort to improve solid waste management and curb environmental pollution, the Dehradun chief municipal health officer Dr Avinash Khanna said. He informed that people were disposing polystyrene waste and other waste like quilts and glasses among others via door to door service which the collector sent to the trenching ground along with other waste.
He stated that such waste is not allowed to enter in the trenching ground as the corporation has directed the workers to ensure garbage is well segregated and is disposed of accordingly. Despite this, the garbage is often directly dumped to the solid waste management and recycling plant in Sheeshambada along with other waste which affects the processing potential of machines which are meant to process only wet waste.
Khanna said that the corporation now aims to entirely eliminate this practice considering which, the garbage collection vehicles will not pick such garbage anymore. “We will soon start sending a separate vehicle to collect such garbage. The locals can also ask the corporation to send a separate vehicle as per their requirement. We are working to strengthen this system,” he said. Dehradun generates around 400 metric tonnes of waste every day, posing serious challenges for collection, segregation, and disposal. Trucks carrying waste are often seen dumping material near transfer stations, adding to the city’s sanitation woes. Khanna said that to further strengthen waste management, the corporation is also planning to establish a green waste treatment plant as it has also being dumped at the trenching ground.
While some localities have started receiving separate green waste collection services, others still mix biodegradable waste with general garbage. Khanna emphasised that public participation will be crucial for the success of these initiatives. Continuous public awareness campaigns are planned to educate residents about waste segregation and responsible disposal practices. He said that with active citizen cooperation and effective implementation, the corporation hopes to make Dehradun cleaner, greener and more sustainable in the coming months.
