Urban sanitation: Entrepreneurships among the urban poor for waste recycling in Patancheru, AP, IndiaVincent A. Schmitt1, Priyanie Amerasinghe2, Dionys Forster3, Bharadwaja Vadloori2, Urs Niggli3

Introduction

Urban sanitation is a growing problem in cities that are developing fast. This is reflected in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area, where an annual urbanization rate of 4.7 % has been reported. The waste generation is estimated at 2,3 mt per day. Biodegradables (52 %) are mixed with non-degradables, and decomposing piles of waste is a common site. This has resulted in odour problems and reduced environmental sanitation, especially, where the waste has not been collected in time.

Objective

The project aimed at developing entrepreneurships, among the urban poor, and facilitated small-scale business ideas that recycle the organic fraction of the municipal waste, in an attempt to reduce environmental pollution and enhance livelihood incomes as well as revitalise peri-urban soils.

Material and Methods

Between August 2011 and January 2012, a public-private partnership was developed between the municipality of Patancheru and a women's self-help group. Small-scale composting units were developed after a participatory diagnosis of institutions and stakeholders, selection of promoters and a survey of marketing strategies. An agronomic trial illustrated the benefits of using organic compost in revitalising the soils, using selected crops.

Urban sanitation is a growing problem in rapidly growing cities. This study was aimed at establishing small-scale businesses, that prepare compost from the organic fraction of city waste.

Conclusion

The recycling of organic waste is feasible, if it can be organised in a participatory manner. Yet, the final product has to be popularised, as the beneficial effects are not well known. Coupled with demonstration trials and political campaigns, such entrepreneurships can thrive, and be an effective proposition for reducing pollution within cities.

Preliminary Results

• The urban sanitation and health, and community development cells of GHMC played a key role in the identification of suitable beneficiaries and site selection.

• The promoter group comprised six women and were able to register as a welfare-society. They can now avail themselves of government subsidies.

• As part of the partnership agreement the municipality provided the space, water and transport for the composting plant, which was successfully linked into the daily routine so as to avoid an extra cost to the administration.

• The organic fraction of waste, 14'286 kg per day in Patancheru, was easily obtained from vegetable markets and city waste and recycled to approximately 4 tons of compost containing 43 kg N, 13 kg P, and 38 kg K. However, C-rich material (sugar can trash, wood chops) was deficient and had to be collected from elsewhere to prepare compost product that was of high quality.

• Training materials and awareness campaigns had to be an integral part of the entrepreneurship development. Sustainability requires constant contact and motivation within the first year.

This poster presents part of a research project on “Fertile Soils for Peri-Urban Agriculture in Hyderabad” funded by Lonza Ltd., Switzerland1 University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany, 2 International Water Management Institute, Hyderabad, India,3 Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland

Photo 5:

The promoter group with their compost product. The method of compost production is in the back ground.

Photo 1: Municipal waste is usually collected along the road site

Photo 3: Compost pile is turned for aeration

Photo 4: A compost pile left for maturing in Patancheru

Photo 2: Organic waste is collected for composting