Uncollected wastes make Khulna city unhealthy

Around 180 tonnes of waste that lies uncollected on Khulna city streets every day due to poor monitoring and logistic supports and negligence of the field-level corporation workers and officials exposes the residents to greater health risks and environmental hazards. Conservancy Officer of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Md Anisur Rahman said that the city generates approximately 450 tonnes of solid waste every day. The amount increases to 500 tones during the summers because of higher fruits consumption.
Of the total, only 250 to 270 tonnes are collected and dumped into the open dumping ground at Rajbando landfills of Batiaghata upazila, he added. The rest does not even reach the dumping ground owing lack of logistic support and manpower, he admitted.
Member Secretary of Khulna Nagarik Samaj Advocate Md Babul Hawlader alleged, “The remaining 180 tonnes of uncollected waste being dumped into drains, open spaces, road-sides and water-bodies, not only blocking the city’s drainage links but also creating an unhealthy and stinking environment.” He claimed in absence of dustbins, residents of Khulna city forces to dump wastes into drains, canals and road-sides.
Civil Surgeon of Khulna district Dr Md Yasin Ali Sarder said, “There was always a danger of various airborne and waterborne diseases growing and spreading from overflowing dustbins and rubbish dumped on open roads.”
Open dustbins spread rotten odours which can lead to respiratory diseases and decrease olfactory senses, he said. Germs could also reach groundwater sources by mixing with rain water and surface water. If consumed, the germs in the groundwater could cause waterborne diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice and skin diseases, explained Dr Yasin.
 Councilor of ward no 17 of KCC Sheikh Hafizur Rahman said, “Many residents have to dump solid wastes into drains and other space as the KCC has poor logistic support.” A ward-based approach of solid waste management would be the best way for the city’s waste management along with the existing system, he suggested.
Assistant Conservancy Officer of KCC SKM Tasaduzzaman said, they have now 36 trucks including 26 demountable container trucks for carrying garbage to main dumping ground while 260 rickshaw-vans to collect wastes from households.
More than 350 staffs and cleaners are working on a permanent and daily basis to ensure removal of wastes from 155 garbage containers and dustbins in 31wards of the city.
He claimed that the situation has improved since the corporation started collecting wastes with the help of 17 NGOs and engaged communities in the task. On the other hand, sources said that the garbage vans most often remain out of order.
However, Tasad said the corporation was compelled to collect liquid waste weeks after it is kept on the roads for several days to get dry as the corporation lacks proper equipment.
Many dwellers also alleged that the corporation’s sweepers come to their area after a long interval of days. By the time they come to collect it the garbage has already spilled over into the streets.
Mayor of KCC Md Moniruzzaman stressed the need for community participation, dividing a ward into several units, raising people’s awareness about waste management, sharing views with people on waste management and keeping waste in a proper place to remove the situation.
“People must stop fly-tipping and practice putting the garbage inside dustbins. Until then, no garbage management system can succeed in hygienically managing garbage and make the city a clean, tidy and healthy place to live in,” mayor added.

Uncollected wastes make Khulna city unhealthy

Around 180 tonnes of waste that lies uncollected on Khulna city streets every day due to poor monitoring and logistic supports and negligence of the field-level corporation workers and officials exposes the residents to greater health risks and environmental hazards. Conservancy Officer of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Md Anisur Rahman said that the city generates approximately 450 tonnes of solid waste every day. The amount increases to 500 tones during the summers because of higher fruits consumption. Of the total, only 250 to 270 tonnes are collected and dumped into the open dumping ground at Rajbando landfills of Batiaghata upazila, he added. The rest does not even reach the dumping ground owing lack of logistic support and manpower, he admitted. Member Secretary of Khulna Nagarik Samaj Advocate Md Babul Hawlader alleged, The remaining 180 tonnes of uncollected waste being dumped into drains, open spaces, road-sides and water-bodies, not only blocking the citys drainage links but also creating an unhealthy and stinking environment. He claimed in absence of dustbins, residents of Khulna city forces to dump wastes into drains, canals and road-sides. Civil Surgeon of Khulna district Dr Md Yasin Ali Sarder said, There was always a danger of various airborne and waterborne diseases growing and spreading from overflowing dustbins and rubbish dumped on open roads. Open dustbins spread rotten odours which can lead to respiratory diseases and decrease olfactory senses, he said. Germs could also reach groundwater sources by mixing with rain water and surface water. If consumed, the germs in the groundwater could cause waterborne diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice and skin diseases, explained Dr Yasin. Councilor of ward no 17 of KCC Sheikh Hafizur Rahman said, Many residents have to dump solid wastes into drains and other space as the KCC has poor logistic support. A ward-based approach of solid waste management would be the best way for the citys waste management along with the existing system, he suggested. Assistant Conservancy Officer of KCC SKM Tasaduzzaman said, they have now 36 trucks including 26 demountable container trucks for carrying garbage to main dumping ground while 260 rickshaw-vans to collect wastes from households. More than 350 staffs and cleaners are working on a permanent and daily basis to ensure removal of wastes from 155 garbage containers and dustbins in 31wards of the city. He claimed that the situation has improved since the corporation started collecting wastes with the help of 17 NGOs and engaged communities in the task. On the other hand, sources said that the garbage vans most often remain out of order. However, Tasad said the corporation was compelled to collect liquid waste weeks after it is kept on the roads for several days to get dry as the corporation lacks proper equipment. Many dwellers also alleged that the corporations sweepers come to their area after a long interval of days. By the time they come to collect it the garbage has already spilled over into the streets. Mayor of KCC Md Moniruzzaman stressed the need for community participation, dividing a ward into several units, raising peoples awareness about waste management, sharing views with people on waste management and keeping waste in a proper place to remove the situation. People must stop fly-tipping and practice putting the garbage inside dustbins. Until then, no garbage management system can succeed in hygienically managing garbage and make the city a clean, tidy and healthy place to live in, mayor added.