"We receive around 10 calls everyday from people asking for bins although we are out of stock for the past six months," Gangadhar Gautam, section officer at the Department of Environment Management, Teku said. [break]
This signifies that citizens of Kathmandu have become aware about their role and responsibility in waste management, Gautam said.
In a city that produces around 350 tons of solid waste on a daily basis, this awareness is much welcomed by the department. The bin can help reduce biodegradable kitchen wastes to a larger extent if adopted by all households in the Valley. "So far, we´ve sold 5,000 compost bins.
On the basis of distribution of bins, we believe that around 500,000 liters of biodegradable wastes are treated within the source itself," Gautam said.
Each bin can hold 100 liters of waste which is suitable for a six-member family, Gautam said.
The compost bin is easy to use. Biodegradable wastes collected in it on a regular basis, and after around three months, the manure is extracted, and the cycle goes on. To increase the decomposition rate, E.M. liquid is used. "It acts as catalyst and also controls foul smell," Gautam said.
Since only the department is producing these bins, and they are rarely found in the market. "We have run out of stock. We cannot supply bins before Tihar," Gautam said. This implies that the bin has high demand so factories should start producing them, Gautam said.
By using the bin, people will be able to manage their wastes, consequently reducing the cost of metropolitan, he said.
Also, people will be able to produce organic fertilizer in their homes and use it in gardens and vegetable cultivations, Gautam said.
However, there´s a small problem with the bin. "It´s slightly big for a small family, a concern for households will limited space. Nonetheless, a compact bin will be well received in the market," Gautam said.
Although the bins were sold at Rs 1100 per piece by the department, those coming after Tihar will be a bit expensive, According to Gautam. This fiscal year, the department aims to sell around 790 such bins.
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