Chennai waste generation reduces by 30 per cent within a week of lockdown

The reduction of garbage generated in Chennai touched 30% on Sunday, five days into the lockdown, according to Corporation officials. The New Indian Express reports that the Corporation collected 3,245 metric tonnes of waste on Sunday. In comparison, the fortnightly average for March 1-15 was 4,700 metric tonnes.

However, waste segregation has come to a halt after centres in 162 locations were shut down. Currently, whatever waste is being collected goes directly to landfills, an official said to NIE. Another 64 resource recovery centres and 110 material recovery facilities where recycling is done, are also closed. The civic body has urged citizens to segregate waste before giving it to sanitary workers and practice composting, if possible.

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