MAPUSA
In a move to bolster waste management efforts across the State, the Goa government has introduced a revised Solid Waste Management (SWM) Policy, which aims at reorganising Goa into four clusters: Saligao (with Bicholim as a sub-cluster), Bainguinim, Cacora, and Verna.
The policy, spanning 15 years from 2022 to 2037, places emphasis on waste prevention, reuse, recovery, and recycling while enhancing infrastructure and extending support to local bodies and authorised agencies.
Under this policy, local self-governing bodies are empowered to enforce penalties and provide incentives.
Spot fines can be imposed on individuals found littering, engaging in open burning, or failing to adhere to SWM Rules. Marshals equipped with handheld devices will monitor and penalise offenders promptly.
To enforce the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1996, the policy allows establishing of flying squads for special enforcement drives.
Stringent regulations will be imposed regarding the size, type, and thickness of plastics to combat the plastic menace effectively.
Moreover, the policy advocates for a complete ban on single-use plastics and substandard plastic carry bags.
Dry waste will be segregated into recyclable fractions for sale to authorized agencies, while non-recyclable RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel) will be sent for co-processing in cement companies or disposed of through approved means.
Wet waste will undergo various treatment methods such as windrow composting, biogas plants, drum composting, organic waste converters (OWCs), or biomethanation plants, including the utilization of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSF).
Alternatively, segregated waste may be transported directly to the Cluster Level Integrated Facility (CLIF) for treatment, particularly for local bodies situated within a 10-kilometre radius.
Although the policy primarily addresses waste generated from households, commercial establishments, and institutions, it excludes the management of biomedical, hazardous, electronic, construction, and demolition wastes.
Applicable to all waste generators and local bodies within the state, the policy encompasses the entire waste management process, from generation and segregation to disposal.
The policy urges citizens to comply with existing regulations and collaborate with local bodies to enhance waste management efforts within their respective jurisdictions.
