Thomas George

Municipal Solid Waste Management of Kollam Corporation, Kerala Thomas George

The present study on MSW of Kollam corporation brings to light many facts relating to the present status of MSWM, characteristics of MSW, characteristics of HSW, management issues of HSW, role of rag-pickers in MSWM, open dumping and related environmental problems, and health hazards of rag-pickers and people in the neighbourhood of dump site. The data procured on these aspects are useful in implementing better waste management strategies in the corporation. The globally accepted concept that wastes are resources of economic value, it seemed, has not been recognized by the corporation. Understanding the potentials of the waste generated in the corporation, steps such as house to house collection of segregated waste with the assistance of voluntary or self help group; biological processing of waste at generation stage either by composting or vermi composting or bio-methanation techniques and a recovery of the non-biodegradables for recycling shall be attempted. The work of processing of waste shall be entrusted with Private agency based on a no loss-no gain agreement by the corporation.