Residents in Trashi Yangtse Town have started waste segregation at source since the start of this month.
Waste is now segregated as biodegradable wet waste and non-degradable dry waste. The dzongkhag municipal’s trash vehicle tours around the thromde thrice a week to collect the segregated wastes.
Four compartment bins have also been constructed near the municipal office and each of them is meant for particular segregated trash such as pape
rs, plastics, glasses, and e-waste.
Shopkeepers, hoteliers, and residents have realised that segregating garbage at home reduces waste volume and emission, and increases the lifespan of landfills.
“We do segregate waste at source. Plastics are reused. As for the degradable waste, we use them as manure in kitchen gardens. Having a restaurant we produce around two buckets of degradable waste,” said one of the hoteliers, Wangmo.
Others also said waste segregation is important to address the litter issue in sustainable manner. “Though it is a lot of work to segregate the waste, it is very convenient when the waste vehicle comes for collection,” said Chimi Zangmo, who is also a restaurant owner.
The dzongkhag municipal with support from Clean Bhutan (a private waste management company) initiated the waste segregation programme. “Trashi Yangtse Town being a traditional town has huge potential to attract tourists. With support from Clean Bhutan, we have identified a dumping yard for biodegradable waste that can be used as manure,” said Rinchen Leyda, the Municipal Engineer of Trashi Yangtse Dzongkhag Municipal Office.
The municipal and Clean Bhutan have also partnered for the project to install CCTV cameras in the town to manage waste. Also, unoccupied areas near every residence will be demarcated to ensure residents manage wastes responsibly.
