Encouraging source-level segregation. Systematic source separation
is a crucial component of any successful waste management
system that facilitates efficient financial management
through minimum energy and labour inputs in the downstream
process (Fujii, 2008; Matter et al., 2013; Tai et al., 2011). Shuddham
recognized the importance of sustainable source-level segregation
through community sensitization in order to achieve
efficient resource recovery. To achieve this, it undertook a series
of continuous community outreach and training programs in
order to motivate and sustain the interest of the residents for segregating
waste into different primary categories. The residents
were encouraged to sort their household waste into the following
five categories: (a) kitchen waste; (b) recyclables; (c) garden
waste; (d) sanitary waste; and (e) hazardous wastes. Pamphlets
were handed out to the residents on how to handle and sort waste.
To motivate the habit of keeping recyclable waste materials separate from food waste and other hazardous waste streams, Shuddam provided residents with a bag free of charge on which was printed a list of recyclables to be collected and sorted. The categories of MSW encountered were classified as given in Table 1. Waste management practices adopted by Shuddham are illustrated in Figure 3.