Synopsis of Open Discussions from 21st-24th March on 'Waste Management in RGSC' : A way forward to ZERO WASTE POLICY

To throw lights on student’s views and gather suggestion to make RGSC Zero Waste campus a series of open discussion was organized during 21^st March-24^th March in all four hostels of RGSC. Total of approx. 200 students actively participated in the discussions which was chaired by administrative staff which include Officer-on-Special Duty Prof. R.P. Singh, Member of Core Group of RGSC Prof. G.P. Singh, RGSC Hostel Coordinator Dr. Ashish Singh, NSS Coordinators and Administrative Wardens Dr. Somu Singh, Dr. Ajay Singh, Dr. Vinod Singh and Mr. Vijai Krishna on different occasions alongwith the members of Eco One Management Council and Ambassadors which include Debadityo Sinha, Navendu Nidhan, Ashutosh Mishra, Awanish Mishra, Pankaj K. Gupta, Shishir Kumar, Jaydev Kumar, Ashok Yadav, Vikas Yadav, Shachi Rai, Pratima, Anju Azad, Prafulla Chandra and other members.

The following were the agendas for the discussions:

1. Waste management in campus
2. Installation of dustbins and compost pits
3. Efficient plan for restriction on polythene use in campus
4. Drains and sewage system
5. Community participation in waste management
6. Monitoring of waste management practices

The details of the problems and suggestions which came as result of the meeting are discussed as follows:

1.   1. Waste Management in campus

Problems:

a) The campus lacks facility of collecting waste. Lack of dustbins is the foremost concern in waste management.

b) The major source of most waste is the general stores inside the campus.

c)There is no proper disposal plan and training of the staff involved in cleanliness.

d)Open burning is a common practice which also includes biomass.

e)Food waste is a major problem in all the hostels. Approx. 40-80 kg of food is thrown as waste from a hostel.

f)Lack of awareness and sensitivity.

Suggestions:

a) Installation of dustbins is the immediate need.

b) The hostel attendants, cleanliness staff and mess managers shall be made aware.

c) The biomass which includes dried leaves, food waste should be disposed separately. 

d) Proper segregation at source as ‘biodegradable’ and ‘non-biodegradable’ has to be developed.

e) In Vindhyavasini hostel, supper is provided in disposable containers like plastic cups etc. It shall be prohibited and the mess manager shall be directed to give it ion steel plates.

f) Food waste can be disposed by feeding it to cattle in nearby villages.

g) A compost pit can be constructed which can also generate bio gas which may be used as fuel in hostel mess and reduce the pollutions by burning coal.

h) Common Cart bags: A certain numbers of cloth bags shall be purchased for public use. A separate place shall be designated where they will be placed in hostels and shops. People when buying items can use them to carry which after use they can put at the common designated place at their hostel. The same shall be followed when going from hostel to shop. This way the bags will be under circulation and reused each time someone goes or come to shop. A donation of Re. 1 can be taken as token money from residential students voluntarily to generate emotional attachment with the bags.

 2. Installation of Dustbins/Compost Pits

Suggestions:

a) Three large capacity dustbins shall be kept in front of the shops which will be maintained by Manoj tea stall, Dubey General Store and the Amul Joint.

b) Dustbins to be kept at every crossings, turns, gates of Admin building, Lecture Theatre Complex, Jalpan Griha, Guest House, Central Library and other such buildings.

c) Dustbins shall be installed every 100 meters on roadsides in campus.

d) Cemented Dustbins are best options. Temporary options (until cemented bins are made) could be coal tar drums which can be renovated by painting them.

e) A compost pit behind every hostel shall be constructed.

f) There should be a dhalau (collection point) at certain intervals which can collect the waste from dustbins. The dhalau’s to be connected with Municipal Corporation of Mirzapur.

g) The dustbin should be divided into two parts i.e. one for biodegradable and other for non- biodegradable.

h) There shall be banners and posters to sensitize people to use dustbins.

2. Restriction on polythene use in campus

Suggestions:

a) Awareness is the first need. Banners, slogans, posters can be a good medium for that.

b) Partial ban on polythene shall be ordered by administration. Items below 500 g shall be provided with paper bags (thonga). Polythene bags to carry prepacked items like biscuits, s

oaps, shampoo and other general items shall be completely banned.

c) Common cart bags as discussed under waste management section shall be incorporated into the social culture.

d) The teacher’s has to play mentor for the cause.

 3. Drains and sewage system

Problems:

a) The drains from bathrooms are not connected to drainage system and the water is discharged open.

b) The capacity of the septic tanks and soak pits are not officially defined. Water from the soak pits flow out from it which can be a source of disease as cattle and dogs often roam in those areas.

c) The water is wasted in large amount by the students for their daily purpose.

Suggestions:

d) Absorbing capacity of soak pits to be redefined and required additional measures shall be taken to stop overflow of sewage water from soak pits.

e) The drains from bathroom shall be defined to proper disposal site. The water can be temporarily stored which can be used for gardening purposes.

f) A temporary storage tank at first floor can act as zero-energy watering system for the gardens in hostel where watering will be done by gravitational energy. A similar tank can also be made at ground floor containing three chambers which can be also used for such purposes.

g) The diameter of the tapes shall be reduced to conserve water as well as reduce waste water. Press taps can do well.

h) The capacity of toilet flushes can be reduced by placing empty bottles which will lead to reduction in sewage generation.

i) Residential students shall be made aware about need to conserve water.

 4. Community participation and monitoring of waste management practices

Suggestions:

a) Community participation programs and campaigns like cleanliness dries, competetions etc to be organized at regular intervals to spread awareness and sensitization of mass.

b) Waste management committees to be formed within hostels according to blocks or floors to monitor waste management, cleanliness etc.

c) Discussions and debates shall be organized in hostels on weekly basis to discuss the problems related to waste and other environmental concerns.

d) The students shall be given an environmental guide to follow while allotting their hostel.

….. Continued to Roundtable Meeting on 09.04.2012

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