Introducing Bharat Swachhta Kendra: A Comprehensive Platform for Effective Plastic Waste Management and Recycling
“Bharat Swachhta Kendra (BSK) is a comprehensive platform designed to effectively manage assembled plastics in PWCP (Plastic Waste Control Project). The primary goal of BSK is to hand over waste plastics collected from various sources to waste plastic scavengers, enabling the recycling of non-cost but recyclable waste plastics using BSK’s capacity. This includes utilizing WPPM technology to create plastic products, producing plastic granules through injection molding machines, crushing plastic for rod production, and converting plastic into fuel via the Plastic Pyrolysis process. By recycling plastics in these ways, the initiative aims to contribute to public welfare by using the recycled materials in projects like public gardens, roadside pavements, and tree guards.
However, upon assessing the condition of waste plastics at the waste depot, it became evident that a significant portion of the waste plastic is either buried in mud or severely aged, rendering it non-recyclable. To address this issue, BSK will employ a machine with a capacity of over 50 tons to hydraulically compress the non-recyclable waste plastics into bundles. These compressed bundles will be utilized in constructing plastic dams.
BSK serves as a crucial link to connect all levels of cleanliness initiatives, including Gram Panchayat (Village Councils), Panchayat Samiti (Block Councils), Nagarpalika (Urban Local Bodies), Zilla Parishad (District Councils), Mahanagar Palika (Municipal Corporations), State Governments, and the Central Government. While each level may have distinct procedures, the overarching objective remains consistent—to eliminate non-biodegradable waste.
BSK represents an important step towards consolidating the various plastic recycling technologies currently available and newly developed, providing a unified platform for effective waste management and promoting environmental sustainability.”
Requirement of BSK
Plastic is an indispensable part of our lives, serving various purposes, but we also bear a moral responsibility to manage its waste responsibly. However, plastic waste management presents numerous challenges. The most pressing issue is the segregation of plastic waste, as improper disposal leads to water pollution and widespread plastic land pollution, affecting thousands of hectares. Incinerating plastic to eliminate it contributes to air pollution by releasing toxic elements from multiple plastics into the atmosphere. Furthermore, waste plastics play a role in climate change, compounding environmental concerns.
In response to this situation, the government has implemented measures like plastic bans and single-use plastic restrictions. Unfortunately, the impact of these efforts has been limited. The complex nature of the plastic waste problem, coupled with its inconspicuous presence, adds to the difficulty in finding effective solutions. Additionally, the government lacks a robust management system, impeding progress in tackling the issue comprehensively.
The current system involves the government offering waste plastics for recycling at minimal or no cost, aiming to create employment opportunities by using plastic as a raw material for manufacturing goods. However, this approach alone cannot address the multifaceted challenges of plastic management. To address these concerns, PWCP advocates a novel approach, emphasizing the creation of jobs dedicated to waste plastic elimination. This vision can be realized through the Bharat Swachhta Kendra (BSK) platform.
BSK promises to be a groundbreaking solution that connects stakeholders at all levels and fosters comprehensive plastic waste management. By harnessing the potential of this platform, the objective is not only to recycle waste plastics but also to focus on generating sustainable employment opportunities dedicated to waste plastic eradication. This transformative approach seeks to confront the plastic waste issue head-on and pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future.
“BSK: An Integral Division of Local Self-Governing Bodies for Effective Sanitation Management”
BSK will operate as a division under local self-governing bodies like Gram Panchayat, Municipal Council, Municipal Corporation, Zilla Parishad, and Panchayat Samiti, functioning within the Sanitation Department. The management of BSK will be under the complete purview of the Sanitation Department. Given the existing initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan, and Gram swachhata Abhiyan running at the state and national levels in India, establishing BSK’s foundation is expected to be a relatively straightforward process.
Empowering Plastic Waste Management through Bharat Swachhta Kendra (BSK) – A Collaborative Approach
i) In the Collection and Segregation method of Bharat Swachhta Kendra, rag pickers and underprivileged individuals play a vital role by collecting plastic waste, receiving financial incentives in return. To ensure transparent financial transactions, specific rules are to be followed. Upon submitting plastic waste to BSK, individuals receive tokens valued at Rs. 10 per kg, based on the weight of plastic provided. The token amount is later redeemed at the BSK department office.
ii) Administrative tasks related to BSK will be centralized and carried out from the BSK office located at the waste depot.
iii) BSK’s recycling plant will have the option to operate through an annual tendering process.
iv) The primary objective of BSK is the effective elimination and recycling of plastic waste, and tenders will be issued accordingly. Local self-governments will be obligated to purchase the recycled products at fixed prices, which will be utilized for public welfare projects in public places.
v) BSK places significant emphasis on raising public awareness about plastic waste management, encouraging active participation in India’s Clean India Mission. Every individual is urged to play a role by designating a specific pocket or compartment in their attire for managing plastic waste, and then depositing it in the appropriate non-biodegradable waste bucket.
Additionally, each family is encouraged to collect waste plastic generated at home and store it in a designated bucket. By participating in the BSK program, families can earn money at the rate of Rs. 10/kg for their plastic waste. Other non-biodegradable materials like glass and rubber can also be submitted, and each material has its respective rate of compensation.
In summary, Bharat Swachhta Kendra (BSK) presents a collaborative and community-driven approach to manage plastic waste effectively, empowering individuals and families to actively contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable India.
Nature and role of running BSK
Today a nationwide campaign like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is underway. From the Gram Panchayat level to the State Government, the Government of India is active in this. Therefore, running waste management department will not be very difficult. Let us now review the role and nature of BSK at each level.
Used words and its meaning –
Gram panchayat – Village Panchayat
Sarpanch – Head of Village
Gramsevak – Village level government servant
Talathi – Government accountant of village
Tahasildar – Sub Divisional Magistrate
Panchayat Samiti – Panchayat Committee
Nagar Palika – Municipal Council
Zilha Parishad – Rural Local Self-Government, District Board
Mahanagar Palika – Municipal Corporation
Role of Gram Panchayat
India has approximately six lakh villages and 68% of the country’s population lives in villages. According to this, the total average of small and big villages is four lakh. The amount of plastic waste coming out of the village is also very low. Therefore, BSK will be formed at Talathi-Gramsevak level at Gram Panchayat level. The Gram Panchayat will decide on a specific place or room for storing plastic waste at this place. Gram Panchayat employees will accept plastic waste and in return Talathi-Gramsevaks will pay Rs. 10 per kg to the villagers. The collected plastic waste can be processed by WPPM at Bharat Swachhta Kendra to make its paver block or put it in bags. The plastic will be stored throughout the year. In case of collection of 1 to 5 tons of waste plastic, a project to build a ‘simple plastic dam’ will be set up in the same Gram Panchayat. There are many rivers and streams as well as streams in the village area. A ‘simple plastic dam’ will be constructed at a place where the flow of water is 15 to 20 feet wide.
The process will be as follows,
1) Space will be allotted for construction of 15-20 feet plastic dam in the village area.
2) Carry 10 feet high cement columns and plates. (Thus interlock plates, pillars are being used to make the current position a boundary wall.)
In this way ‘simple plastic dams’ will be constructed to dispose of non-biodegradable waste in an environmentally friendly manner. The most important thing is that there are a lot of small streams, streams and streams in the village. Therefore, it is possible to build plastic dams in rural areas in this way. Also water conservation work is being done in this place. Plastic dam will play an important role in making clean and beautiful villages in the future.
Non-biodegradable waste should be collected by organizing events cleaning rounds in a month through village schools. An honorarium of Rs. 10 per kg should be paid for the replacement of plastic waste collected through the Gram Panchayat. In this way, awareness about cleanliness will be created in the minds of the students at the student age, waste in the village will be eliminated, stress on the Gram Panchayat will be reduced and it will be an important step towards becoming a Nirmal Gram. Such an idea can come forward through BSK.
There will be many villages in India where there may be problems. Lack of proper environment like natural, financial, administrative etc. In such a situation, such villages will collect the plastic and send it to the Taluka. BSK will work in a network manner. Because in some places waste plastic is abundant and in some places natural conditions. Public support in some places and administrative cooperation in others, but the main objective will be to eradicate non-biodegradable waste. Plastic dam projects to be constructed at village level will be constructed with the approval of village, Talathi, Gram sevak and Gram sabha. Taluka level BSK will not interfere in this. It will be mandatory for every village BSK to build a plastic dam every 2 years.
Procedures of BSK for Taluka level waste plastic management.
Taluka level is a developed and more populous city as compared to Gram Panchayat. Therefore, the amount of waste generated is also high. As the Taluka is a city, waste management at this level is done by the Municipal council. Therefore, the office of BSK will be in the Municipality of that Taluka. And its management will be done on Municipal waste depots. Municipal council will collect waste plastic within its limits and in return the price will be Rs. 10 per kg according to the same weight. The collected plastic waste will be taken to the depot and deposited at BSK’s plastic waste treatment plant. The plastic will be recycled at that place and the non-recyclable plastic, non-biodegradable components will be baling with the help of hydraulic press machine and placed in a specific shed. After the site of construction of dam in that Taluka is selected by the Tehsildar, the combined plastic will be used for construction of plastic dam. In this way non-biodegradable waste will be composted and used for agriculture. Municipalities at the Taluka level will look after the work of BSK. Their president will be the Tehsildar. It is mandatory for a Municipality to build at least two plastic dams in a year. The work of BSK in all the villages in that Taluka will be reviewed and monitored by the Panchayat Samiti, but no interference will be allowed in the village level projects. Municipalities at the Taluka level will collect plastic waste. The construction of plastic dam will be done through the irrigation department under the Panchayat Samiti.
BSK Procedures for District Level Waste Management
There are 718 general districts in India. As the district has mostly development sector, a large amount of plastic waste and non-biodegradable waste is generated. This waste is mixed with biodegradable waste and becomes a heap of waste. An example of this is the Ghazipur landfill. Therefore, it is very important to have plastic waste management at the district level. BSK will bring about a radical change in waste management at the district level.
Waste in the district will be consolidated with the help of plastic people and Municipal corporations. People in the city will not throw out plastic because of the price of waste plastic. But once assembled, it is important to have the infrastructure to carry it. So the corporation’s five vehicles will work to collect only waste plastics in the city. People will give away waste plastic and in return they will be given a token at Rs 10 per kg. After depositing the token in the office of BSK in the corporation, people can get financial benefit at the rate of Rs. 10 per kg. The vehicles will then take the waste plastic to the Municipal landfill. Waste plastic will be recycled there. These include shredding plastics for use in plastic rods, making fuel from plastics, Injunction molding machines, WPPM technology etc. Proper recycling of waste plastic will be done at this place. The non-recyclable waste plastic will be compressed and baling with the help of hydraulic press machine. After the plastic integration of the city through the corporation, the work will be done by the irrigation dam of the Zilla Parishad. The collected plastics will be disposed of through a plastic dam. Therefore, water circulation work will also be done.
The District BSK will be chaired by the District Collector. The city’s plastic waste collection will be done through the corporation. BSK will have an office at the Corporation’s premises. Recycling of plastic waste at Municipal waste depots can also be made available to the public in the form of tenders. The district collector will have the right to decide that. Thus BSK will start generating jobs for plastic elimination.
State Level BSK
The state level BSK will be formed in a joint discussion between the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Water Irrigation. BSK’s Department will work under the Department of Environment. The Ministry will provide financial support for non-biodegradable waste management in the state. According to the details of non-biodegradable waste management and recycling management coming to BSK from the district, the irrigation ministry of that state will determine the fund for construction of regular and prime type of plastic dam for that district. In this way, the work of plastic waste management and water conservation will be taken care of by each state government.
Procedures of BSK department at country level
Waste management, water conservation and empowerment are the major issues for India. PWCP will be instrumental in bringing about this change. At the national level, the BSK department will be run by a joint exchange of views between the environment ministry and the water irrigation ministry. According to the frequency rate of waste collection and plastic dam construction received by the BSK Department of each state in the country, the fund will be determined by the BSK at the Center for that state. BSK will have a department in the country’s environment ministry. Each state in the country will determine the environment ministry fund according to the data provided for non-biodegradable collection and recycling. According to the waste collection data of non-biodegradable waste which cannot be recycled, the Ministry of water irrigation will approve plastic dams for the respective states. In this way, there will be extensive work of waste management, water conservation and empowerment generation in the country.