Garbage generation rises again with resumption of activities in Doon

The garbage generation in Dehradun which had dropped by about 35 per cent during the initial phases of the lockdown has started to increase once again. During the complete lockdown, all the commercial activities like shops selling non- essential products and services, private offices and other establishments were closed with only essential commodities shops remaining open.

This had caused a drop in garbage generation in the city. However, with all shops and commercial establishments being allowed to open daily in the fourth phase of the lockdown the garbage generation has begun to rise.

According to the project head of city garbage collection and transportation Rakesh Upadhyay, the garbage collected by sanitation workers was about 330 metric tonnes per day before the lockdown. Within few weeks, it dropped by 60 metric tonnes per day during the lockdown.

He said that since the State Government has temporarily lifted the ban on plastic items during the lockdown, the plastic waste generation has also increased in the city by about two per cent.

 According to Upadhyay, the sanitation workers are collecting about 280 metric tonnes of garbage daily which was about 270 metric tonnes per day in the first week of May.

He also informed that the garbage generation will continue to rise in the coming days as well.