We are looking for methodologies / tools with which Communities in Rural India (Typically Village, Gram Panchayat, Blocks, Self help groups, youth associations,…) can do Waste assessment of the place and take corrective actions.
These are some of the parameters we would like to start with.
P1
Visual cleanliness
Burning,
Dumping,
Waste in drains & Water bodies
P2
Community awareness
Plastic and other types of waste (Sanitary, what else ?)
Basic understanding of how materials affect their Soil, Water, Air etc
P3
Community engagement
Discussion about waste in Gram sabhas / Ward meetings
Availability of waste champions, volunteers & active citizens
Local policies/bye-laws are they enablers or Disablers
Tier Two :
P4
Segregation
Segregation levels
% of households doing segregation
P5
Collection coverage and frequency
Collection routes to cover all points
Frequency based on need
P6 =
Infrastructure availability
adequate number of collection vehicles,
appropriately sized and designed storage & processing facilities
P7
% of collected waste which is processed locally/sent to authorized end destinations
Hi Vikas, there are some tools and methodologies that we have tried for these various parameters.
P1 - For mapping black spot locations/ garbage burning locations, simple google mymaps should do. Though we had created a tool for green spot map, to showcase how many citizens/communities are composting. Solid Waste Management Round Table
P2 - Community awareness - best to do it target group wise as the messaging is slightly different for each target group. Typically the target groups are households, shokeepers, schools, temples, community halls etc. We normally do it as the problem statement - how it affects soil, water and air and the talk about Solution - segregate and handover responsibly and refuse/reduce
P3 - Very important to identify changemakers in the community and they have to be mentored and inspired to drive change. From the outside there is only so much an intervention can achieve. It can kick start change but for it to be sustained, needs motivated changemakers from within the community. Could be individuals across society or a type of people who are trained and drive the awareness programs.
P4 - for segregation , we follow and advocate the 3 way 2bin1bag system that can be translated, and communicated https://www.2bin1bag.in/pamphlets
P5 - It is very important to develop a microplan for the area, which is basically the generator type and number and then that is divided into smaller clusters , based on which the collection vehicle can be assigned. Happy to share more detailed info in a online meeting.
p6/p7 - typically any Gram Panchayath needs a facility to collect ALL type of dry waste especially the low value items which may not have a recycle value directly and a Micro composting shed. And a small shed for sanitary/reject waste. We have some great success stories where awareness campaigns on sustainable menstruation have dropped the sanitary waste by 70% and that’s a great success because the sanitary waste is a big challenge to deal in rural area .
Let us know if you need more info, happy to do a call and share our learnings so far.