Madanapalle sets benchmark in sustainable solid waste management

Tirupati: Madanapalle Municipality is steadily progressing towards becoming a Zero Dump and Zero Littering City by strengthening its urban sanitation and solid waste management systems through scientific and sustainable practices under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) 2.0.

As the town continues to grow and generate more waste, the municipality has adopted an integrated waste management system that focuses on waste segregation at source, scientific processing and resource recovery to reduce landfill disposal.

The municipality generates around 62 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day, including 36 tonnes of wet waste, 25.50 tonnes of dry waste and 0.50 tonnes of domestic hazardous waste.

Waste is segregated into biodegradable, non-biodegradable and recyclable categories at the source to ensure efficient collection, recycling and safe disposal.

To manage biodegradable waste, the municipality has encouraged home composting, terrace gardening and on-site composting by Bulk Waste Generators. Every day, about 15.50 tonnes of wet waste is processed through windrow composting, producing nearly 4.65 tonnes of compost for use in parks, plantations and gardens.

Another three tonnes of wet waste is processed through vermicomposting, yielding around 1.20 tonnes of organic manure.

Dry waste is collected separately and sent to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where recyclable materials are sorted and supplied to authorised recycling units.

Non-recyclable waste is transported to cement factories for co-processing, reducing landfill waste while generating additional revenue for the municipality.

Through its Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (RRR) Centre and door-to-door collection drives, the municipality also collects e-waste, old clothes, books, toys and footwear. These items are repaired, reused or distributed to slum residents, homeless people and old age homes.

The municipality has also introduced waste-to-art initiatives by converting discarded tyres and other waste materials into decorative installations in parks and public places, creating awareness about recycling and environmental protection.

A major achievement has been the scientific remediation of nearly 36,512 metric tonnes of legacy waste through bio-mining and bio-remediation, reclaiming about 9.40 acres of land.

Around five acres of the reclaimed land have been developed with plantations. Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) recovered during the process is supplied to cement plants for co-processing, while soil and inert materials are reused for filling low-lying areas.

Wall paintings, murals and the Waste-to-Art Park at NVR Layout are helping spread awareness on cleanliness, waste segregation and sustainable living. Through these initiatives,

Madanapalle Municipality is steadily moving towards its goal of becoming a Zero Dump and Zero Littering City.