Urban local bodies in Ernakulam achieve 80% coverage in doorstep waste collection by volunteers

Urban local bodies in Ernakulam have achieved a total coverage of 80% in deployment of Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) volunteers for doorstep collection of non-biodegradable waste from homes and commercial establishments as of August this year.

Kochi Corporation achieved an overall coverage of 96% in the deployment of volunteers. According to the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB), the total coverage of thirteen municipalities in the district has reached 85%. The data was compiled as part of steps taken by civic bodies for management of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.

Deployment of HKS volunteers under the government’s ‘waste-free Kerala’ initiative has seen a surge in the financial year 2024-25. Volunteers involved in doorstep collection of plastic and other non-biodegradable waste have been instrumental in stepping up efforts to plug gaps in waste collection and segregation, according to an assessment by the government’s Suchitwa Mission.

Urban local organizations in the region have also stepped up efforts to bring together households and commercial establishments utilizing the services of volunteers under the Haritha Mithram mobile application used for doorstep collection of waste. Volunteers placed QR codes in front of households and commercial units as part of the implementation of the digital tool. Local authorities can track waste collection and user fee payment using the app. QR codes were established within the scope of the smart garbage tracking system, which aims to facilitate waste collection and management.

Meanwhile, civic bodies reported to the Department of Local Self-Government that many households have not yet sought HKS services because they are against the collection of monthly user fees. It was learned that households wanted the relevant civil authorities to cover their waste collection costs.