SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has mooted the idea of emulating the Alappuzha model to recycle waste in Meghalaya, which is grappling with the problem of garbage collection.
During the Assembly session, Sangma referred to Alappuzha district in Kerala to drive home the point that garbage management is the need of the hour in Meghalaya.
Later, he also showed a video in his mobile to the reporters on how the Kerala town manages garbage.
The Alappuzha model is a decentralised system of garbage management involving people starting from the door to door collection of waste, its segregation and recycling of the waste for multiple uses.
Like Shillong, Alappuzha too had a dumping ground around five years ago but the new model of door to door method of managing garbage changed the scene.
Earlier, Alappuzha, located close to the sea was an eyesore for visitors as several parts of the area were filled with garbage and plastic materials.
The canals were also filled with filth.
The waste management process was done at the household levels and bio-manure was produced from domestic waste with the help of municipality workers.
The plastic waste is collected and used for construction of road after it is recycled by the Clean Kerala Company.
Schools and students were also part of the initiative. The sanitation clubs in schools encouraged students to collect plastic in return for coupons which could be used to buy books. There was spot penalty for dumping.
The Kerala model attracted the United Nations with the town getting the recognition of one of the five model cities in the world for solid waste management.
The Centre for Science and Environment has recognised the town as the cleanest city in the country.
According to Sangma, the Alappuzha method can be used in Meghalaya so that garbage can be used instead of dumping elsewhere.
Earlier, Congress legislators, including Charles Pyngrope, had sought the intervention of the government to ensure cleanliness in the city by addressing the issues related to garbage thrown all over the city.
