From dumping to burning: Bengaluru's waste crisis threatens public health

Waste management has always been a problem in Bengaluru, and despite many attempts to manage the waste in neighbourhoods, irregular waste dumping still persists. Garbage frequently accumulates to the point where the locals and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) workers have no choice but to burn the waste.

The failure to segregate waste further escalated the issue as non-segregated waste contains organic and Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP) materials, which, when burnt, release harmful toxins, pollute the air, and cause serious health complications. This has resulted in significant problems for the public.

Toxic toll on health

“Burning of non-segregated waste is hazardous and can cause permanent damage to the body,” said Dr Ashwin Kulkarni, a doctor at Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru. The burnt waste releases toxins into the air, which can enter our lungs. Areas like K. R. Market and Subramanyapura have become hotspots for this issue.

Dr Ashwin explained the pulmonary problems caused by the burning of waste. “Carbon and other oxides are emitted when the waste is burnt; this causes asthma attacks and other respiratory infections”. He pointed out that older adults are more vulnerable as it causes wheezing and several allergies.

How does BBMP react?

BBMP’s Assistant General Manager (AGM) Abhilash denied that BBMP workers are responsible for burning waste. “It is not like we start a fire. Dry leaves and other particles may catch fire due to discarded cigarettes,” he said. He acknowledged that BBMP has several mechanisms to recycle dry waste and convert the wet waste into compost.

However, the issue prevails in areas like Avalahalli and the outskirts of Hesaraghatta, where large amounts of waste dumping are observed. On a positive note, the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) representatives in these areas have expressed gratitude that BBMP and local MLA Vishwanath are working to improve society’s waste management.

Dr Selvarajan, founder of Green Circle, an NGO and a resident of Avalahalli, has urged BBMP to take stricter action. He said, “Our NGO works hand in hand with BBMP and makes efforts to clean the nearby lakes as well as relocating and segregating garbage”.

Waste control efforts in Agara Lake and Chikkaballapura

Agara Lake, a popular site for idol immersion, faces severe pollution from solid waste during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi. Nagaraj from Ploggers Army, an environmentally driven community, described the impact after the 2024 immersions. “We received reports from locals and conducted a survey, which revealed that the lake was polluted with POP materials and plastic. That is when we took action,” he said. The Ploggers Army, with BBMP’s assistance, launched a cleanup drive to restore the lake and its surroundings in HSR Layout.

In Chikkaballapura, extreme waste dumping had been observed, particularly on the outskirts. Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) Umashankar of the Chikkaballapura City Municipal Council (CMC) explained, “The waste dumping does not occur within the CMC limits, but it is common on the outskirts. Before COVID-19, the issue was frequent in areas like Doddaballapur and Tumkur, though it has declined since then.”

Green spaces under threat

Reckless waste management has severe environmental consequences. Waste burning releases methane and other toxic gases, contributing to air pollution and deforestation.

“75% of the collected waste is processed, but only 50% gets segregated. The rest ends up in a landfill,” noted Dr Selvarajan. About waste segregation, he added, “Usage of cotton boxes for wet waste can reduce non-biodegradable waste”. Wet waste can be decomposed, but dry waste is not readily biodegradable. The government’s idea of encouraging the reduction in the use of single-use plastic is a good initiative to control waste management,” he added.

Dr Selvarajan emphasised the need to curb waste burning, which has become a common practice nowadays. He has planned to develop an app where users can upload selfies with the garbage and the location, allowing authorities to relocate waste to a designated zone.

In a city like Bengaluru, the non-segregated waste that is not relocated to a dumping yard is almost always burnt. This, in turn, continues to jeopardise the health of the people and cause environmental pollution.

 

Written by: Shaik Mohammad Saheel, School of Communication and Media Studies, St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru