Taking lesson from the previous year’s Swachh Sarvekshan marking, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has started Recycle, Reuse, and Reduce (RRR) centres in six zones out of 10 recently to reduce the burden of solid waste generation on city. Last year, in Swachh Survekshan, Nagpur received a shocking ‘zero’ score in the ‘Garbage-Free City’ category, which affected the overall score of Nagpur in the Swachh Sarvekshan ranking. “We scored good marks in most of the indicators of solid waste management category last year except one that was ‘Garbage-Free City’. This year, we are hopeful of getting good marks in this category on the basis of our efforts,” Dr Vijay Deshmukh, Deputy Commissioner, Solid Waste Management Department, NMC told ‘The Hitavada’.

 

These centres have been established at 38 locations across the ten zones of Nagpur, aiming to promote cleanliness, sustainability and reduce the burden of solid waste recycling in Bhandewadi-based dumping yard. “Solid waste, which can be recycled and reused like hard plastic, used clothes, newspaper, books, bags, toys, cartons, etc. will be sent to RRR centres. Such waste will be segregated at the source or citizens can deposit directly in these centres for recycle or reuse,” informed Dr Deshmukh. So far, six such units are functional in six zones whereas remaining four zones will be covered by May. Women of self-help groups (SHGs) are running these centres and bulk waste generators are directly sending their waste to these centres, he informed.

 

 

As per the Swachh Sarvekshan norms, every city must have brand ambassadors to spread awareness among masses about cleanliness. NMC appointed 11 such ambassadors -- environment experts, activists, social media influncers, and radio jockeys last year. Initially, these ambassadors participated in various Swachhata campaigns conducted by the civic body, but their involvement in campaigns reduced drastically. On March 31, the tenure of these ambassadors will be over and till date, out of these 11 famous personalities of city, only few were actively participating in the campaigns. “The objective behind appointing these ambassadors was to influence masses and spread awareness about cleanliness. Few of them actively participated in the year-long campaigns.

 

It is their responsibility to come forward and join hands with us to educate citizens about cleanliness,” said Dr Vijay Deshmukh, Deputy Commissioner, Solid Waste Management Department, NMC. The civic body is appointing brand ambassadors since 2018. Every year, 5-6 renowned personalities of the city are appointed as ambassadors. However, this year, the number was 11. In last seven years, city had ambassadors who are ‘Padma Shri’ awardees, internationally acclaimed surgeons and environment experts.