Bhutan has come a long way in managing waste, and it has improved over the years. However, residents continue to raise concerns over the timing of waste collections which is one of the biggest hurdles in waste management for a household. The issue was raised by the Changjiji housing community during the consultation meeting on waste management on Saturday.
The waste management at the Changjiji housing colony in Thimphu is exemplary, to say the least, given the size and the population. There are, however, filled waste bags kept outside the houses to be dumped along with some discarded wrappers. According to the residents, the little wastes that can be seen is due to the erratic waste collection timing. They say the garbage truck doesn’t have fixed timing.
“We would appreciate it if the garbage truck comes on time. That way we can also dump our waste in time. Sometimes even though they come on time, after the truck gets filled, they go back and don’t come back on the same day. And also, sometimes they don’t even come, saying the truck isn’t working,” said Namgay Wangmo, a housewife in Changjiji Colony.
“Our parents go to the office and come home late. And we have to go to school and return home at around 3 pm only. So, while we are engaged in office or school, the garbage truck would’ve already arrived in our colony and have left. Sometimes they come late and sometimes they don’t even turn up. When we keep our wastes for a long time, for instance like kitchen wastes, it gives a foul smell,” added Tshering Dorjee, a student living at the colony.
The National Housing Development Corporation Limited and Clean Bhutan will be discussing the issues with the Changjiji Tshogpa and come up with solutions by today. And, if successful in Changjiji, they will replicate the solution in other communities as well.
Changjiji colony is one of the largest clustered community in Thimphu with more than 750 households.
Pema Seldon Tshering
