Auditing Existing Waste Management Facility at Arthunkal and Kanjikuzhy Grama Panchayat at Naipunnya School of Management, Cherthala

• 13-01-2025

In compliance with the directive issued by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, a team of 22 members from the Nature Club of Naipunnya School of Management, Cherthala, along with two club coordinators conducted a field visit to the waste management facilities of Material Collection Facility (MCF) at Arthunkal and Kanjikuzhy Grama Panchayat. The primary objective of this visit was to audit the current waste management infrastructure and evaluate its effectiveness in terms of environmental sustainability, efficiency, and adherence to relevant guidelines. Additionally, the visit aimed to identify areas that require improvement and offer practical recommendations for enhancing waste management processes.

This visit gave the Nature Club members a valuable opportunity to explore the waste management systems in the Arthunkal Municipal Corporation and the Kanjikuzhy Grama Panchayat. The goal was to assess the existing systems, understand the challenges involved, and gain hands-on knowledge of how waste management is implemented in local communities.

This report outlines the key learning experiences from the visit, focusing on the strengths of the current practices and areas that need further development to improve waste management efforts.

Objectives of the Visit

• Audit Existing Waste Management Systems: The visit aimed to assess the current waste management practices, including waste segregation, collection, recycling, and disposal, to determine their effectiveness.
• Identify Gaps and Challenges: The objective was to evaluate whether the existing infrastructure is functioning as intended, while identifying any challenges or shortcomings in the waste management processes.
• Provide Recommendations for Improvement: Based on the findings, the visit sought to propose practical and feasible recommendations for enhancing waste management practices to align with sustainability goals and environmental standards.
• Understand Practical Challenges: The visit aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the real-world challenges faced by local authorities and residents in managing waste effectively.
• Promote Sustainable Practices: The visit provided an opportunity to learn about successful waste management practices that could be adopted by other communities, promoting environmental sustainability.

Key Learning Outcomes:

1. Understanding Waste Management Systems:

Members observed the entire waste management process, from collection and segregation to treatment and disposal, gaining insights into how community-level waste facilities operate.

2. Identifying Challenges and Gaps:

The audit enabled students to recognize common issues such as improper waste segregation, lack of infrastructure, and challenges in composting and recycling, fostering a problem-solving mindset.

3. Hands-on Experience in Waste Audit:

By actively participating in waste assessment activities, members gained practical experience in categorizing waste, measuring waste generation, and analysing disposal patterns.

4. Awareness of Environmental Impact: 

The visit reinforced the importance of responsible waste management in reducing pollution, conserving resources, and protecting local ecosystems, strengthening their commitment to environmental stewardship.

5. Community Engagement and Awareness Building:

The interaction with local authorities, facility staff, and waste workers highlighted the importance of community participation in waste management, encouraging members to advocate for better practices. 

Through this experience, Nature Club members not only acquired technical knowledge but also developed a sense of responsibility towards sustainable waste management. The audit served as an eye-opener, inspiring them to take proactive steps in promoting environmental awareness and adopting waste reduction strategies in their daily lives.

The audit of existing waste management facilities conducted by Bhoomithrasena Club members of Naipunnya School of Management, Cherthala provides valuable insights into the current operational status, challenges, and areas for improvement across both MCFs at Arthunkal and Kanjikuzhy Grama panchayat. Our findings highlight the progress made in waste segregation, collection, and recycling efforts, identifying key areas that require infrastructure upgrades, policy enhancements, and increased community participation.

Programme Expenditure

Report of the programme  Download