Dehradun's Harrawala Ward Sets Benchmark with 95% Waste Segregation Success
In the residential neighborhood of Harrawala within Dehradun, a community-driven waste collection system operated by a non-governmental organization has remarkably accomplished what remains an elusive goal for much of the city—achieving near-complete source segregation of household waste. This initiative, spearheaded by Waste Warriors, has elevated segregation levels to an impressive nearly 95%, as confirmed by officials, making it a standout example in urban waste management.
How the Model Works: From Collection to Processing
The foundation of this success lies in a material recovery facility (MRF) established in Harrawala back in 2020. This facility was set up on land provided by the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) and funded by the State Pollution Control Board. It currently serves approximately 2,200 households in the ward, handling their waste through a meticulous process.
- Three dedicated garbage collection vehicles operate daily, categorizing waste into three streams: wet, dry, and hazardous.
- Wet waste undergoes a secondary segregation process before being composted, ensuring maximum resource recovery.
- Dry waste is sorted into seven distinct plastic categories and multiple non-plastic types, with plastic materials being tightly wrapped and dispatched to authorized recyclers.
Amit Singh, assistant manager at Waste Warriors, highlighted the journey: "It took us almost three years to convince residents to segregate waste at source. Now, most households cooperate, and segregation has reached nearly 95%." This persistent community engagement has been pivotal to the model's effectiveness.
Challenges and Civic Recognition
Despite its achievements, the initiative faces ongoing hurdles. Dehradun generates about 450 metric tonnes of waste daily, with Harrawala contributing around 2-3 metric tonnes each day. While the ward's success has drawn attention from civic authorities, including visits from several councillors and the mayor, replicating this model elsewhere in the city remains a challenge.
Area councillor Devi Dayal noted, "If one ward can do this, others can too." However, he pointed out that citizen engagement remains the biggest obstacle, with participation not yet at 100%, particularly among tenants. Efforts to sensitize residents continue, as some households avoid the Rs 70 monthly user charge and resort to open dumping or burning of waste.
Replication Barriers and Future Prospects
Under the current arrangement, the NGO manages household waste collection, while sweeping and broader waste management responsibilities stay with the DMC. Naveen Kumar Sadana, associate director at Waste Warriors, mentioned that requests to replicate this model in other wards are not being taken up currently, citing issues like garbage burning and open dumping in vacant plots.
DMC chief health officer Dr. Avinash Khanna acknowledged the success of the Harrawala system but outlined key barriers to expansion:
- Lack of land for setting up additional MRFs in other wards.
- Resistance from residents during the no-objection process, which hampers implementation.
- Financial sustainability, with cost recovery at the MRF hovering around 55-60%, and much of the compost produced accumulating unused.
Work is underway to address these issues, but resolving them is crucial for scaling up this effective waste management model across Dehradun.
