Long Long way to go!!

Hello, folks! So, we are all aware of how the waste management system in India has evolved over the last several years and how admirably we (citizens, Government, and various stakeholders) have worked to enhance our system and have contributed to making it more effective. However, I recently witnessed an instance that reminded me of when we had no grasp of the waste management system and were flushing the resources by doing anything to fulfil the mandate.

So, let me briefly share a recent experience where I observed a few sanitary napkin vending machines being placed inappropriately without any cable or plug connection and displayed as artefacts in various spaces. Given the circumstances in some areas, such as remote villages and ULBs, such equipment could be everything for adolescent girls to prevent dropping out of school. Unfortunately, as seen in the image, we have just been using a valuable and expensive resource as a stationery item holder.

Therefore, considering the given situation and current practices, I always emphasize and will continue to emphasize the necessity of implementing a comprehensive 'Information, Education, and Communication' (IEC), BCC (Behaviour Change Communication), and Capacity Building initiative to ensure the appropriate utilization of resources in waste management systems, followed by regular monitoring to ensure long-term viability.

Sharing a link to a report I authored last year to give you all food for thought: https://www.cseindia.org/sanitary-waste-management-in-india-challenges-and-agenda-11282.

This report highlights the status, challenges, and government initiatives regarding the segregation, collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of sanitary waste. There have been minimal documented measures for collecting and disposing of other sanitary wastes such as tampons, condoms, incontinence sheets, and other similar waste in the country, which reflects our concern for having a system for sanitary waste management in India. It identifies the critical challenges associated with current sanitary waste disposal practices in India with evidence-based learning and policy measures to be considered going forward. The report addresses recommendations for policy considerations, effective coordination among stakeholders, implementation protocol and waste governance by the local Government to institute a sustainable system for sanitary waste management.

?WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY?2023.