Waste not, sort not: Chennai Corporation's bumpy road to clean streets and struggles of source segregation
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Is a 100 % segregation possible in Chennai? This question has been agitating residents and administrators alike, as several attempts to bring the city to segregate the waste at source continue to remain non starters, even as efforts in smaller pockets succeeded.
One of the main reasons for the failure to segregate is that the Corporation does not impose strict fines on those not segregating garbage, reasoned Mohammed Harris, one of the participants in Chennai Corporation's recent tour of the windrow composting plant (wet waste recycling centre) in Manali's Chinna Sekkadu. As he reached to grab a handful of the waste drying in the plant, Mr. Harris, a climate activist, said, 'We find plastic and rubber items, such as milk packets and diapers, in these piles. For windrow composting to work effectively, these non-degradable items need to be removed.'
The issue has gained prominence again, after the Supreme Court on February 24, 2025, said segregation of garbage starts at home and it is a practice which is of vital importance for the well-being of the environment. The GCC has been pushing to improve this, yet over 6,000 tonnes of mixed wastes reach the dump yards in Perungudi and Kodungaiyur every day. A total ₹352 crore was allocated for solid waste management in FY2025-26 by the civic body.
'Source segregation of waste will improve operations at the windrow plant by ensuring that only organic waste is processed, enhancing compost quality,' an official at the plant said.
Janani Venkitesh, Founder-Secretary of Residents of Kasturba Nagar Association, who was on the tour too, said: 'After working for seven years in Kasturba Nagar, we achieved 60% segregation. But since there are no penalties for individuals who do not segregate waste, and continue to hand over mixed waste, it will be difficult to reach 100 % segregation of organic and non-organic wastes,' she said, adding: 'Currently, only bulk waste generators face fines, not individual households.'
Ms. Venkitesh suggested that the Corporation select one ward as a pilot project for achieving complete segregation. She also recommended strengthening door-to-door outreach, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, engaging sanitary workers, imposing penalties, and conducting regular inspections at processing plants.
'With the closure of 168 out of 190 micro composting centres and 88 out of 137 material recovery facilities in residential areas, managing biodegradable and plastic waste remains a significant challenge,' she said. She also stressed the need for regular official inspections to ensure machines at processing plants are functional and well-maintained.
Keerthi, from North Chennai, another participant admitted that she had not practiced waste segregation so far but intends to take it up in the coming days. During the plant visit, another participant, Ramani, suggested introducing incentives such as credit points for residents who diligently segregate their waste.
A senior GCC official said that invoking strict penalties at this time may not be advisable due to the Assembly elections in 2026. 'But we are considering a credit point system based on successful models in other countries. If found feasible, we will implement it,' he said, adding that biomining and waste-to-energy methods have shown success.
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