The Cuddapah project for waste management implemented in Andhra Pradesh has been an example on how resource recovery can be achieved through Composting of Organic Waste and recycling of Inorganic Waste. The area covered under this project geographically encompasses the Cuddapah Municipality and its 21 wards. The beneficiaries for the project has been the residents of the Cuddapah Town who number at around 33,095 families and commercial establishments. There has been employment generation for about 120 workers who are now involved as private workers in the composting project.

The Cuddapah experience has been a Participatory and Inclusive mechanism that has involved the Local Government, Community, Private enterprises and Stakeholders at every level. This project has created a mechanism at Cuddapah to work the Zero Waste Management in a suitable manner and has also trained the sanitary workers and officials of the Cuddapah Municipality, as well as the formal / informal private sectors in ZWM. Besides, it has also helped at creating a facilitating atmosphere for developing SWM micro enterprises with access to funds and project expertise. Composting of Organic Waste and introduction of the Zero Waste Management Project in Cuddapah was designed according to the public mentality. This has been innovatively structured around a process of Education cum Enterprise development, the main components of the project are Stake-holder consultation & Communication strategy, Entrepreneurship Development Programs, Training courses, Lesson learning Seminars, Knowledge imparting workshops, Awareness campaigns, Documentation and Dissemination of the experience in future.

The Solid waste management implemented in Cuddapah was seen to have a need for accountability from the very beginning. People will not pay subscription fees every month if they don't see results. Unless subscription fees are collected the project cannot be sustained. Once door to door collection of garbage has started then there will be a drastically visible change for the better in the neighbourhood.

An important lesson learnt was that with a quantitative increase of participants involved the process will also change. Documentation is very important and even the distribution of materials such as dust bins must be done systematically to ensure that the project will succeed. Surveys and preparation of an action plan is extremely important. Awareness creation is important and there is no limit to awareness. The awareness spread to people must translate into action. The project has seen 80% of the people participating by contributing garbage and 60% of people paying their share of subscription fees. Data collected must be computerized so that it may be used efficiently. Also each tricycle having a map of the area it must cover is an added advantage to smooth functioning.

The introduction of Zero Waste Management and Composting of Organic waste has made significant contributions towards poverty reduction and increased access of this basic service to the poor, since over 35% of the project area is inhabited by low-income groups and slums. Better Solid Waste Management in Cuddapah has improved sanitation and hygiene in these areas, directly benefiting the poor and substantially improving their productivity and reducing poverty. "Training & Sensitization Programs" have been conducted to all the Kadapa Municipal workers. Sukuki Exnora provided technical inputs and do necessary monitoring and evaluation work at grass root level. Key stakeholders include Chairman and Councilors of the Municipality, Cuddapah; Local Government Staff; service providers including private sector; the public or end users of the service; specific user groups and associations.

The methodology used is one in which the segregated garbage (organic and inorganic) from the residents, shops and other generators are transferred to the Material Recovery Facility (Garbage station) by the Street Beautifiers. Inorganic waste is further segregated and packed separately for sales at the Recyclable Sorting and Storage Facility. Organic waste is further transported to Cuddapah Solid Waste Conversion Hi-tech Welfare Environment Pvt. Ltd. (Composting facility) by the Municipal Corporation for composting.

The project has been a partnership between Sukuki Exnora and The District Administration of Cuddapah. Sukuki Exnora has been providing the technological know how and the project implementation and monitoring. The District Administration has been the coordinating agency The infrastructure of a Material Recovery Facility and Funding is supplied by the Cuddapah Municipal Corporation. Self Help Group members and youth were mobilized as workers and employment was provided to them as well.

The sustainability of the project is ensured by the continued participation of the Women's Self Help Group / Resident Welfare Associations who by collecting user charges (Rs. 10/- for slum / low income area, Rs.15 for middle income and Rs. 20 for high income) groups from every family raise sufficient funds for sustaining the project. Additional funds are also got through sale of compost and recyclables.

The project has inspired many local bodies and other organisations to come forward and replicate in namy other places. The project uses environmentally sound technologies and helps preserve the environment. It has been an example of people's participation along with partnership with local bodies to achieve implementation of Zero Waste Management.

The Cuddapah project has been a success today, There is an active involvement in the activities by the local government and by the Self Help Groups that are partners to the initiative along with Sukuki Exnora. The overall functioning of the project has been successful because of the change in the mindset that has been brought about among residents of Cuddapah through awareness programs and education campaigns. It has also been a source of inspiration for other similar projects to be implemented and other local bodies to also start Zero Waste Management initiatives.

Contact Person

Mr. Suresh Bhandari - Executive Director - Sukuki Exnora,
Phone - 9949094503, suresh@sukuki.com

Address

Sukuki Exnora
6-3-1216/50, Flat No.F2
Methodist Colony, Begumpet,
Hyderabad - 500 016.

Tel: +91-40-55667333 / 55667776
Fax: +91-40-55667333
E-mail: hyd1_sukuki@sancharnet.in , www.sukuki.com