
Local bodies told to ensure a ‘green Onam'
'Haritha Onam' will be incorporated in the branding of the Onam celebrations by local bodies across the State this year. A door-to-door campaign to create awareness on waste management will be carried out with Mahabali presented as the 'King of Cleanliness.' In a circular issued on Tuesday, the department asked the local bodies to prepare action plans to weave in ideas on waste management to their respective Onam celebration programmes.
The local bodies have to ensure timely collection of waste, especially from commercial centres, and also ensure that the commercial establishments have separate waste bins for segregated waste collection. Temporary common composting arrangements can be made under each local body considering the huge amounts of biodegradable waste that will be produced. The community bio waste processing bins have to be cleared and prepared to meet the demands during the festival season. Similarly, the material collection facilities have to be cleared up foreseeing the non biodegradable waste produced during the season.
More waste bins
Street hawkers and other temporary commercial establishments which function only during the festival period also should be factored in while planning for waste management. More waste bins have to be placed in areas where crowds are generally seen during the Onam festivities. A charge officer has to be given the responsibility of ensuring periodic cleaning.
Various institutions, offices and organisations have to be sensitised to not use banned plastic products for decorations as part of Onam. The local bodies have to organise meetings with traders' representatives to make them aware of the green protocol. Plastic cups, plates, artificial plantain leaf and spoons have to be avoided for Onam Sadya. Steps also have to be taken to promote alternative products to plastic carry bags, such as cloth bags.
All non-biodegradable waste, except e-waste and sanitary waste, have to be collected as part of door-stop collection from households before Onam. Vehicles for collection of waste and shifting to the material collection facilities on the same day have to be ensured for all Haritha Karma Sena units. The local bodies have to distribute awards to government and private institutions, commercial establishments, residents' associations and flat complexes which excel in waste management efforts.

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The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Local bodies told to ensure a ‘green Onam'
The Local Self-Government department has issued directions to local bodies regarding waste management measures to ensure a 'green Onam.' 'Haritha Onam' will be incorporated in the branding of the Onam celebrations by local bodies across the State this year. A door-to-door campaign to create awareness on waste management will be carried out with Mahabali presented as the 'King of Cleanliness.' In a circular issued on Tuesday, the department asked the local bodies to prepare action plans to weave in ideas on waste management to their respective Onam celebration programmes. The local bodies have to ensure timely collection of waste, especially from commercial centres, and also ensure that the commercial establishments have separate waste bins for segregated waste collection. Temporary common composting arrangements can be made under each local body considering the huge amounts of biodegradable waste that will be produced. The community bio waste processing bins have to be cleared and prepared to meet the demands during the festival season. Similarly, the material collection facilities have to be cleared up foreseeing the non biodegradable waste produced during the season. More waste bins Street hawkers and other temporary commercial establishments which function only during the festival period also should be factored in while planning for waste management. More waste bins have to be placed in areas where crowds are generally seen during the Onam festivities. A charge officer has to be given the responsibility of ensuring periodic cleaning. Various institutions, offices and organisations have to be sensitised to not use banned plastic products for decorations as part of Onam. The local bodies have to organise meetings with traders' representatives to make them aware of the green protocol. Plastic cups, plates, artificial plantain leaf and spoons have to be avoided for Onam Sadya. Steps also have to be taken to promote alternative products to plastic carry bags, such as cloth bags. All non-biodegradable waste, except e-waste and sanitary waste, have to be collected as part of door-stop collection from households before Onam. Vehicles for collection of waste and shifting to the material collection facilities on the same day have to be ensured for all Haritha Karma Sena units. The local bodies have to distribute awards to government and private institutions, commercial establishments, residents' associations and flat complexes which excel in waste management efforts.

The Hindu
05-07-2025
- The Hindu
Misuse of twin bins continues to worry Kozhikode Corporation
It was a rush of pride that Manjima R.V., a homemaker from Elathur, felt as she saw the twin waste bins set up all along major roads in Kozhikode city for the first time. But her pride was short-lived as she found bags of waste dumped all around one such bin in the heart of the city. 'These bins look so classy and give a character to its surroundings. But the misuse defeats the purpose,' she lamented. The Kozhikode Corporation has set up twin steel bins all across the city to keep roads clean and encourage commuters to deposit minor waste such as toffee or biscuit wrappers promptly in the bins. But it has turned out to be a headache for the civic body in some parts of the city as people tend to deposit their household waste, including food and diapers, in and around the bins. 'We caught a few people red-handed and fined them. Our cleaning staff clears the bins promptly in the morning. But bags of waste appear around them within hours,' said S. Jayasree, health standing committee chairperson of the Corporation. The Corporation has appointed one extra employee in every health circle to ensure that the bins are cleared promptly. Besides, there are plans to absorb around 100 more people into the force. Ms. Jayasree said the Haritha Mitram mobile application that enabled the collection of household waste had 95% coverage in the city, and that most households cooperated with the Haritha Karma Sena. However, there are exceptions. 'We can educate only those who are unaware of the services we provide. This misuse of bins seems to be a deliberate mischief,' she added. She complained that the steel lids of the bins had been forcefully removed in some places. 'Depositing diapers and medical waste in the bins is a source of discomfort for cleaning workers. We have the 'Aakri' mobile application for efficient disposal of biomedical waste, including diapers and sanitary napkins, besides tubes and syringes. For those who cannot afford the services of the app, the Corporation supports them financially,' she added. Ms. Jayasree said the extra effort being put in for waste management due to the misuse of the bins was draining the Corporation of valuable funds and manpower that could have been put to positive use.


The Hindu
02-07-2025
- The Hindu
Suchitwa Mission to step up activities to reduce plastic use
The Suchitwa Mission in collaboration with local bodies will be stepping up its activities to reduce the use and availability of plastic carry bags, as part of the observance of International Plastic Bag Free Day on July 3, said a press release on Wednesday. The State government has already banned several products, including single-use plastic bags, to pave the way for reducing plastic use. Haritha Karma Sena Currently, 37,894 Haritha Karma Sena members are working in various local self-government institutions to collect inorganic waste, including plastic waste, and scientifically dispose of it through the Clean Kerala Company. Suchitwa Mission Executive Director U.V. Jose urged the public to participate in the activities to make the State plastic-free by properly classifying waste and handing it over to the Haritha Karma Sena members, reusing plastic products as much as possible, using alternatives like cloth bags for shopping, and participating in activities to remove plastic waste from public places, beaches, waterbodies, markets and office premises.