Waste-free Kerala plan loses steam; garbage management slips down priority list

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Kerala's ambitious plan to make the state completely waste-free appears to be losing momentum, about one and a half years after the previous government announced the initiative.

The goal of achieving a fully waste-free Kerala now seems increasingly distant, with penalties for violations also reportedly not being enforced effectively.

The state had made significant progress in managing non-biodegradable waste. Based on this progress, 99 per cent of gram panchayats were declared waste-free on March 30, 2025, observed as International Zero Waste Day.

Of the 1,200 local self-government institutions in the state, 1,021 had been declared waste-free at the time. The next target was to make further progress in liquid waste management. Tenders had also been floated for four regional plants to process sanitary waste.

However, officials were subsequently engaged in election-related duties during the local body and Assembly elections, pushing waste management down the priority list of local self-government institutions.

Current status

• Waste collected by Haritha Karma Sena workers is not being segregated or sent for processing on time.
• Collected solid waste is being stored in sacks along roadsides in several places.
• With enforcement measures weakening, people are increasingly dumping waste from homes and establishments on roads and other public spaces.
• In several areas, the absence of ward-level collection and segregation centres has created difficulties for Haritha Karma Sena workers. Organic waste is also not being adequately processed at source.

What the government says

Several agencies, including the Suchitwa Mission and Clean Kerala Company, are involved in waste collection and processing. The government plans to bring these agencies under a single authority to improve supervision and coordination.

The proposed authority will oversee waste management activities and coordinate the agencies involved. The government also plans to introduce stricter provisions aimed at reducing waste generation and preventing waste from reaching public spaces.

Officials said legal protection would be necessary to enforce the proposed measures effectively. Preparations are underway to establish the authority.