Trichy Faces Growing Crisis as Garden Waste Burning Escalates
In Trichy, a concerning trend of burning garden waste is rapidly increasing across the city, with residents raising serious allegations against local sanitation services. According to reports, many households and institutions are being forced to resort to open burning because sanitation workers are refusing to collect trimmed branches, shrub cuttings, and other garden debris from their doorsteps.
Residents Voice Frustration Over Irregular Collection Practices
While the Trichy Corporation asserts that garden waste is collected on a weekly basis, numerous residents dispute this claim, stating that such waste is routinely excluded from regular doorstep collection services. This exclusion has compelled many to either burn the waste illegally or dump it in vacant plots, exacerbating environmental and health issues. The city generates approximately 450 metric tonnes of waste daily, with domestic waste managed through an outsourced agency. However, residents highlight that garden waste and certain non-recyclable electronic waste are often rejected, leading to accumulation.
With dry weather conditions setting in after the monsoon season, many households have undertaken vegetation clearance, resulting in significant piles of uncollected garden waste. The lack of consistent collection has spurred late-night burning incidents, triggering complaints from neighbors, particularly those suffering from respiratory ailments. B Balaji, a resident of Kurinji Nagar, emphasized, "Some individuals end up burning plastic materials along with garden waste, which significantly worsens air pollution. Additionally, vacant plots are being misused for illegal dumping, creating unsanitary conditions."
Impact on Community and Environment
Open burning near roads has not only affected motorists by reducing visibility but has also degraded air quality, posing risks to public health. Residents argue that since the corporation collects solid waste user charges from every property, garden waste should be included in routine collection services. C Balasubramanian, advisor for Trichy district Exnora, stated, "Proper and regular collection will encourage people to maintain green cover responsibly instead of discarding waste in harmful ways. This is crucial for sustainable urban living."
Corporation's Response and Proposed Solutions
In response to these allegations, corporation officials have refuted the claims, explaining that dedicated trucks are deputed every Wednesday to collect garden waste separately, aiming to prevent fire hazards. A senior corporation official commented, "We are committed to curtailing open burning of waste through enhanced monitoring efforts. Residents will be informed about the option to hand over garden waste once a week. Furthermore, we will encourage bulk waste generators to independently process their garden waste to alleviate the burden on municipal services."
This situation underscores a critical gap in Trichy's waste management system, highlighting the need for improved communication and enforcement to address resident concerns and mitigate environmental damage.
