The southern suburbs of Chennai’s Tambaram Corporation are grappling with a growing problem: mountains of tree waste are cluttering the landscape, a consequence of a lack of working shredders to process the debris. The public health department, responsible for solid waste management, collects approximately 10 tonnes of tree waste daily, which they store at micro composting centers. However, the lack of shredders leaves them unable to effectively process this waste.
Tambaram Corporation has 37 micro composting centers, designed to handle 1,85,000 kg of waste, but many remain underutilized due to the backlog of unprocessed tree waste. This issue is compounded by the ongoing addition of new tree waste every day, resulting in piles of branches drying on open ground.
The problem extends beyond aesthetics. Residents in areas like Irumbuliyur, Selaiyur, Pammal, and Chitlapakkam are forced to trim branches that encroach on power lines and transformers, creating safety hazards. While residents understand the necessity of pruning, they are left with no solution for the resulting waste, often piling it up on open ground.
Tambaram Corporation is aware of the situation and has pledged to repair existing shredders and designate dedicated space for green waste disposal. They are also compiling data on monthly green waste collection and identifying areas with heavy loads to guide their investment in additional shredders.
The situation in Tambaram highlights the importance of proactive waste management strategies, particularly for green waste. Investing in infrastructure like shredders and establishing effective waste disposal systems is essential for maintaining a clean and safe environment.
