Questions like, 'Why should we manage household waste, the municipality is there to do it, no?' continue to hound Harshavardhan Erra, the Founder of Peepal Waste Managers, who has been helping people, institutions, corporates and other organisations manage waste since the year 2014. Has his task got any easier? Not really. But has that stopped him? Not at all.
Peepal Waste Managers lends you a hand with managing all that you throw away through their equipment. For those who throw out waste by the truckload, Harshavardhan recommends bio-digesters, which enables anaerobic digestion (digestion in the absence of oxygen). "The bio-digesters we provide trap methane, which is a greenhouse gas, which can then be used for cooking," explains Harshavardhan. Imagine, if we can trap these harmful gases from escaping into the atmosphere and depleting our ozone layer, we can even prevent skin cancer caused by harmful UV rays which escape through the holes in the protective layer. "See, we started with waste, but ended at cancer. That is how important waste management is in today's world," he explains.
And for minimal kitchen waste or household waste, Harshavardhan recommends composters which use aerobic digestion (digestion in the presence of oxygen). But of course, providing this equipment is not enough, the 33-year-old goes a step ahead and whenever he finds some time, delivers lectures at schools and colleges about the importance of waste management. "That's how we can change the future," he says and adds that he frequents companies as well to share his knowledge. "Every household needs to be educated, especially about the benefits of waste management," implores Harshavardhan, who has a postgraduate degree in Life Sciences from Osmania University. He lauds the effort of the state government, who, in 2015, gave every household two bins for easier segregation of waste. "But people did not know how to use it. I am sure many of those bins ended up as buckets in bathrooms," he says grimly and adds that there is a need to supplement these plans with training, by experts or NGOs, who understand what segregation is and can teach people the same. "Implementation is not the only aspect," he points out. He also feels that we must go beyond our time constraints and make it happen. "Just ask yourself, will your children and grandchildren be happy with what you left behind?," he questions.
So, what is his larger dream? "I want every household to practice waste management," says the youngster who was born in Hyderabad, adding that, "The challenge is education and awareness." When we appreciate his efforts he says, "My efforts are like a drop in the ocean," and we say, every drop counts!
What are bio-digestors?
Mix two kg of waste with ten litres of water and feed it to the bio-designator. It is a huge enclosed drum-like structure which traps harmful gases like methane, which you can use to cook and whatever is left behind is pure organic manure.
What are composters?
For small household needs, waste is mixed with microbial powder and cocopeat in layers. Keep adding layers and soon, you will the compost will be ready. You can either use this compost in your garden or sell it.
For more on them check out peepalwastemanagers.com
