WASTE MANAGEMENT

Every step, no matter how small, is crucial to save and sustain this planet. A recycling station in South Goa is one such small, but very crucial step

“Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world” – George Bernard Shaw

Goa’s rich and diverse landscape and biological ecosystem is the very soul of the land. The rusticity and rawness of the land is still intact courtesy the people of Goa who are an environment-loving populaces. Because the state relies heavily on tourism to fuel its economy, the authorities ensure that a robust waste management system runs across the city, keeping it as charming and welcoming as always.

The Government of Goa along with the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment (DST&E) works relentlessly to run Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC). They are responsible for the safe and scientific disposal of all types of waste, and secondary collection of dry non-biodegradable waste, with support from Village Panchayats, municipalities, state and central government institutions, industrial estates, and other organisations. GWMC has also established a holistic Solid Waste Management Policy for the state and set an ambitious goal of achieving a Zero-Waste and Zero Landfill philosophy.

The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) caters to the civic needs of Goa’s capital city of Panjim. CCP works diligently to keep the city beautiful, including maintaining manicured city gardens, a smooth network of roads, heritage buildings, the river and sea, the entertainment district, and other essential facilities. These civic authorities, along with many aggregators, have joined hands to create high social awareness on waste and public space hygiene on par with the best tourist destinations in the world. A few aggregators work closely with civic authorities like CCP and GWMC to ensure no stone is left unturned to keep Goa clean and implement sustainable practices at the grass-roots level.

Institutions like AYYA and SAAHAS play an important role in supporting the authorities. AYYA offers Waste Management as a service for the betterment and sustainability of the environment. With CCP, they have installed three waste segregation units in Panaji City. Saahas, on the other hand, has a vision of a zero-waste world through a circular economy. They provide zero-waste services to MNCs, tech parks, residential communities, and other bulk waste-generating organisations and institutions. In addition, they constantly measure the environmental and social impact in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and ESG frameworks (Environmental, Social Governance).