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Project
Proposal: Waste Management
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Full description of problem/need |
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In Pabal, families produce about
a kilogram of garbage per day, including
organic waste and dirt. Though some
of this rubbish is sorted through
and scavenged, some elements collect
on roadsides or in piles scattered
throughout the village. Occasionally
this rubbish is burnt, but currently
there is no such system in place.
Because of the wet climate, paper
and cardboard waste decomposes quickly,
but plastic waste is more of a problem.
The waste most commonly found is plastic
packaging from snacks, cookies, or
biscuits.
A practical solution for this waste
to be reduced, reused, or recycled
is required. An optimal solution would
have benefits beyond just cleanliness
of the village.
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| How will the local
community use the proposed solution? |
The solution will
allow the community to remain more clean,
giving it improved appearance and possibly
improving health conditions. The solution
should be more environmentally friendly
than current practices, and if possible
should reuse the rubbish in an economically
beneficial way.
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| Estimate of the economic
benefit anticipated and plans for training
of the local community? What are the
major impacts on such a project? |
| The economic benefits
of the project would vary depending
on the solution.
Training would be provided by Vigyan
Ashram.
It should be kept in mind that trash
other than plastic packaging is already
being used in the community. Metals
and plastics are sold as scrap and
food waste is eaten by pigs that are
owned by community members. When less
food waste is available, pigs sometimes
begin eating crops of local farmers,
which is very undesirable. Waste management
solutions should be wary of upsetting
either of these conditions.
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| Full description of
the local situation (e.g. social, economic,
geographical, political) |
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One villager informed the engINdia
team that there is a public cleaning
official that sweeps rubbish off the
streets and deposits it in particular
areas within the village. However,
these areas are just non-trafficked
corners, and other than occasional
burning, nothing further is done with
the waste.
Currently there are two main clean-up
schemes that occur within the village
each year.
The first is a government program.
One month each year the government
runs a media campaign to encourage
clean villages in India. A contest
is held for village cleanliness and
the winning village is chosen based
on criteria such as sanitation (presence
of latrines), presence of a waste
disposal system, road cleanliness,
and beautification of public areas.
Almost all villages take part and
Pabal is no exception. However, Pabal
has not yet been the winner in any
category. The second clean-up scheme
is run by Vigyan Ashram. Twice a year
Vigyan Ashram runs a 2-3 day clean-up
movement based on voluntary participation
of villagers. In addition, the local
government takes control of cleaning
the village before and after a Pabal
festival that is held each February,
during which time tourists visit the
village to see the famous Jain temple.
Local villagers don't generally see
an issue with the state of waste management
in the village. However, standards
of cleanliness are increasing as villagers
are being educated about health problems
that can be caused. Also, one villager
suggested that once villagers see
how cleanliness can be achieved, they
are more likely to be interested in
changing.
A number of villagers have remarked
that the most difficult waste comes
from western products, and before
these were popular, there were no
problems with plastic waste.
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| Full description of
relevant infrastructure available locally
and/or internationally |
| Not applicable. |
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