Managing Waste

Pereira is the architect of the compost tumbler,a product which turns any kind of biodegradable garbage into high grade compost without any smell. “Most societies make composting pits,which smell and are sometimes infested with rodents and pests. We studied various models,including those abroad,to find an easier and more practical way of composting. That is how the idea of a compost tumbler came about,” said Pereira.

The tumbler is a plastic drum that is pivoted on a metal stand and covered with a lid which is clasped from both sides. It can accommodate waste from five-six families,which is about 5 to 10 kg per day. “Since it has a tight lid,there is no smell at all. You can put any kind of kitchen waste,including meat and bones,tree waste such as dry wood and branches as well as industrial waste like saw dust,paper and wood shavings in it,and all of it will turn into rich manure,” said Denzil Rego,Pereira’s partner in the initiative. One batch of waste can give you a tub full of compost,which is sold in the market for as much as Rs 120 a packet. However,non-biodegradable waste such as glass,metal and plastic cannot be used.

The form of composting is aerobic,with holes at the upper end for ventilation and at the lower end to drain out water. “It is a simple and easy process which requires very less space. All you need to do is deposit your waste in the tumbler and turn it twice a day and you’ll get compost in 10 to 30 days,” Rego said.

They visit each site once a week to provide support and maintenance. For larger housing societies,Pereira has designed a compost bin,which has a capacity of 440 litres and can cater to the waste of about 40 families a day.

From just an idea on paper a little more than a year ago,the compost tumbler and bins have come a long way to now being quite sought after.

“Earlier,it was just a solution to our ALM’s problems in Bandra. But after seeing the results,people started approaching us and we made it available to them at an affordable price. And now,people all across the city are using them in areas including Charni Road,Byculla,Kalina,Andheri,Goregaon,Malad and even in Vasai and Karjat. Infact,my friends in Delhi and Pune have started it too,” said Pereira.

“But our focus is on educating school children and the college going youth who in turn will convince their families and carry this tradition forward and save the environment,” said Rego,adding,many schools have now started the practice.

Waste is a matter which is mostly approached with slight hesitation and even aversion,says Rego but the attitude of people has been shifting gradually. “We did face some resistance earlier but once people saw the first batch of compost that they had produced themselves,it changed their views,” said Pereira. “This is a way in which each individual can contribute to reducing the waste and feel free of the crime of adding to environment degradation,” added Rego.