BMC goes green on bio-med waste……….Clara Lewis
MUMBAI: On World Environment Day, the BMC is taking a green step. All the Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) generated in its hospitals will be disposed of in
bio-degradable bags instead of plastic ones.
bio-degradable bags instead of plastic ones.
However, the cost of Rs 6 crore against the present annual expenditure of Rs 1.5 crore has raised eyebrows. Half the waste generated by the city comes from civic hospitals. All the waste is disposed of at the Deonar dumping ground.
Kishore Gajbhiye, additional municipal commissioner, in charge of public health, said the decision to use bio-degradable bags was made following a visit to civic hospitals by officials from the MPCB last year. “They were very unhappy with the manner of disposal of bio-medical waste. It was then decided to replace plastic bags with bio-degradable ones,” said Gajbhiye.
The three major hospitals-KEM, Sion and Nair generate 5,000 kg of BMW daily. Of this, 2,800 kg is autoclaved and 2,200 kg is incinerated.
Dr Amita Athavale, head of the chest medicine department at KEM, who regularly conducts studies on the health of people residing near the Deonar dumping ground, said it was a very good decision. “Plastic takes nearly 2,000 years to degenerate whereas these bio-degradable bags made from starch degrade in 45-60 days. They are environment friendly and a must for the city,” said Dr Athavale.
However, civic sources said in case of autoclaving where steam pressure is used to sterilise the BMW, the bio-degradable bags were a waste of money. “The end product is merely a lump that is then disposed of at the dumping ground. How will bio-degradable bags help in such a situation? Besides, who will check if bio-degradable bags are being used while burying the waste,” asked civic sources.
Gajbhiye said every hospital has an official in charge of BMW. “It is the officer’s responsibility to ensure that the waste is properly disposed of. The BMC has only made a start and as the cost is high, the BMC will reduce or increase the usage of bags depending upon how well the process works,” he added.