Adopt Scientific Waste Management

Sanitation is one of the basic needs of people as it is directly linked to public health. Without proper sanitation, a healthy life can hardly be conceived. Therefore, proper waste management should be highly prioritised. In Kathmandu, waste management is looked after by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC). At present, the municipal waste is dumped into the landfill site at Banchare Danda. Cell 1 of the landfill came into operation in September 2021. Before that, waste was managed at the Sisdole landfill site, which was constructed in 2005 to be operated for a few years. But it was run for over a decade and a half for lack of an alternative landfill. 

Just recently, the residents of Banchare Danda obstructed the dumping of waste at the landfill for a week in protest against their demands not fulfilled by the government. Their demands include, inter alia, relocation of settlements three to four kilometres away from the landfill site; establishment of a compost plant for producing compost from the garbage, thus reducing the amount of garbage to be disposed of;  conversion of guthi land to private land for local use; designation of a 2,500-metre buffer zone around the landfill to protect the surrounding areas; implementation of scientific management of waste; segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste; protection of the environment such as control of the contamination of local rivers from leachate generated by the garbage; establishment of a 50-bed hospital; free ambulance services; and jobs for affected households. 

Compost plant 

Among the demands, the establishment of a compost plant is the key to reducing the amount of garbage to be disposed of. The residents demand that the government repair and re-operate the leachate pump to stop the contamination of the Kolpu Khola. They also demand that the government acquire more land – 3,500 ropanis – around the landfill. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and Urban Development Kul Man Ghising has tackled the obstruction problem at least for the time being by inking an agreement with the locals and local people’s representatives. As per the agreement, the feasible tasks would be completed within 15 days. The residents of Banchare Danda have complained that the landfill site is nearly full and the leachate from the garbage is being discharged into the Kolpu Khola.

People living near or around landfills suffer from physical and mental health problems. They are constantly exposed to pollutants, odours and noise from the operation of the landfills. Further, landfills generate vectors of diseases that pose a health risk to the residents. The residents have to bear the health consequences for no fault of theirs. Respiratory illnesses arise owing to harmful gases and particulate matter like dust. Asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory infections affect the residents. Studies have shown that there is a potential link between landfills and cancer risks such as lung, liver, stomach, bladder, prostate and kidney cancers owing to such carcinogens as dioxins, furans and heavy metals. 

Landfills are notorious for playing a role in generating birth defects and reproductive problems. Research has shown adverse pregnancy outcomes such as congenital heart defects, central nervous system (CNS) defects and low birth weight in newborns. Other physical ailments include flu-like symptoms, eye irritation, skin irritation, collywobbles, diarrhoea and tuberculosis. Constant exposure to chemicals such as hydrogen sulphide causes nausea, headaches and CNS malfunction.       

It may be noted that landfills are usually infested with rodents, insects and other animals that act as vectors of various diseases. Rodents induce such diseases as rat-bite fever, leptospirosis and salmonellosis. Likewise, the fleas and other insects that infest rodents cause diseases such as plague, murine typhus, tularaemia and Lyme disease. Insects transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis and enteric diseases. Landfills also inflict psychological or mental effects on the residents. Foul smell and noise from operations of landfills cause discomfort in the residents, disturbing their life, producing stress and engendering sleep disorders, fatigue and even depression. There is also a potential risk of fires and explosions because of a buildup of methane. 

The residents are now experiencing the disproportionate effects of the landfill. Landfills are generally constructed in outlying areas where marginalised communities live. They are forced to live with the unpleasantness of landfills. They are facing an injustice in a sense. Viewed from this perspective, their demands, especially those relating to taking measures to reduce the amount of garbage to be disposed of by constructing a compost plant and providing healthcare services and facilities, are reasonable. 

5-R model 

In fact, it is possible to reduce the amount of garbage to be disposed of. The 5-R model – refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle – can be implemented. This model will not only help reduce the amount of garbage to be disposed of but also generate income. Households and businesses should be encouraged to segregate biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. The KMC once enforced this practice but it could not be sustained.  Income can also be generated by producing compost and biogas from garbage. 

The KMC once announced that it would generate up to five MW of electricity from garbage but it has remained in paper only. It may be worth mentioning that a biomethanation plant was set up as a pilot project at the Teku station in 2017 to convert three tons of bio-waste into electricity per day. In a similar vein, compost plants were also set up on the same model at various places. But the technology could not be upgraded as required and the endeavours have since been in limbo. The KMC should therefore take the initiative in scientifically managing waste in collaboration with the private sector and other stakeholders. At the same time, the genuine demands of the residents of Banchare Danda should also be fulfilled. This will do justice to the affected residents.          

(Maharjan has been regularly writing on contemporary issues for this daily since 2000.)