Countdown begins: Kerala aims to address over 26 million tonnes of waste in 259 days

Thiruvananthapuram: Only 259 days are left to make Kerala completely garbage-free as per the goal of the State Government. According to the government statistics, 12,005 tonnes of waste has to be eliminated in one day from Tuesday. 

If waste dumping by locals is also included, it comes to at least 15,000 tonnes. About 80 percent of it is plastic. 

The goal of the government is to make Kerala completely garbage-free in March 2025.  It is estimated that although the local bodies are taking action towards this, the attitude of the people has not changed, which is a challenge for waste treatment.

According to the Suchitwa Mission statistics, 10,090.11 tonnes of garbage is generated in Kerala every day. By March 31, 2024 it will be 26,13,310 tonnes. A total of 4,96,031 tonnes are in the garbage heaps that have been accumulating for decades. Out of the 10,090.11 tonnes produced daily, 7408.28 tonnes are biodegradable and 2681.83 tonnes are non-degradable.

Plastic waste

The minimum amount of plastic produced by a household in a month is two and a half kilograms. This includes plastic wrappers of biscuits, chips, coffee powder, tea, sugar, chapati, milk, flour, bakery, fish and other online purchases, containers of tin food etc.

Meanwhile, Local Self Government Minister M B Rajesh said, “Everyone, including local bodies, individuals, society, institutions and political parties, has a responsibility in waste management. Garbage does not come out of nowhere. Although the waste problem has not been completely solved, progress has been made.”

Amount of waste generated