We
truly commend Thimphu Thromde Team and the Private Waste Collection Companies
for the efforts and their initiatives. As far as we understand, Thimphu is one
of the few Asian cities where Waste Segregation at Source is implemented. For
that matter, even some European and American cities do not have that system
yet!
While
we already had some observations on the current system, now the Thromde is even
asking building owners to place 2 bins for every house all across the city. Our
comments on the system are as below;
1.
In most part of the city, wet waste is collected
once a week and dry waste twice a week. Storing wet/biodegradable waste for 6 days is
not hygienic and practically a challenge for many families. Perhaps, the
collection for wet waste should be twice and once for dry waste.
2.
The wet waste collection system on Norzin Lam
stinks a lot with the foul smell and the leachate leaching from the truck in
the middle of the street leaving behind dirty marks. Something should be done
about the issue.
3.
All families do know about the waste segregation
and separate collection days, but we believe not many are aware of the
necessity. Most waste and cleaning are dealt by the least educated. It would be
necessary to really educate and create awareness on what is biodegradable and
what is not, and why we need to segregate them. It would be ideal to have some
newspaper or radio or TV advertisements on that for education to achieve better
results. Even if there is some, it has to be extensive and persistent.
Now on the proposed system of placement of 2 bins in front
of every house. Following are the problems that we anticipate;
1.
Thimphu is renowned for dogs. How are we going
to ensure that all bins will be secured properly? We have all experienced even
closed bins left out in the street open with the contents out many a times!.
This would only get exaggerated with the wet/biodegradable bins lying around
for 6 days in front of every house across the whole city.
2.
The bins have to be large enough to accommodate
the wet/dry waste for 6 days with only once a week waste collection unless we
are talking about daily waste collection by the collection system. The waste
will get overflown all over the bins or the owners will have to place large
bins that will be similar to the previous communal bins we had in common areas.
We all remember the problems with the communal bins with stray dogs, mixed
waste and also overflowing. The other problem with larger bins will also be
space constraint especially in dense areas such as Norzin lam.
3.
We just found out that the waste collection
companies will empty the common building bins. But we know that half of Thimphu’s
buildings are off- the road through stairs, footpath and alleys. Practically it
would simply be impossible for the collection guys to collect from every house
or for the house owners to depute someone to place the bins by the main road.
Access to the building bins will be a huge challenge.
4.
As far as we understand, the bins are ordered as
the laws requires house owners to be in-charge of the waste collection and that
it would help officer goers who miss the waste collection trucks. However, we
are worried that the financial obligation would eventually be passed onto the
tenants in the form of increased sweeper/bin charges.
5.
Besides that, there are definitely better
options for people who miss the 8AM/9AM Waste collection trucks. Why cant we do
the collections at 6/7AM or 6/7PM as they do in many other cities? Maybe there
should simply be a transfer station or two to do quick rounds of the city.
6.
Passing on one’s burden to someone just does not
sound like a reasonable solution as that would only bring in more
complications, problems and pose a public health disaster.
7.
By the way, citing the various clauses of the
acts selectively also is not convincing. There are many other clauses in
various such as the 24x7 Water Supply, clean drains, safe and secure footpath
etc that are just lying around unanswered.
http://thebhutanese.bt/problems-with-thimphu-waste-collection-system/
