'Zero Waste Fest' by the K-east ward will highlight the importance of waste segregation and have locals as well as hotels participating After certain wards of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) successfully implemented waste segregation measures, the K-east ward (eastern parts of Vile Parle-Andheri-Jogeshwari) has now followed suit and pulled up their socks to make sure that they, too, undertake waste segregation measures. H-west ward in Bandra and K-west ward (western parts of Vile Parle-Andheri-Jogeshwari) have been carrying out waste segregation since the past few months. The ward has also taken significant steps to encourage other wards as well as housing societies. Taking a step ahead, the K-east ward has organised a 'Zero Waste Fest' wherein 6,500 housing societies, 500 hotels, and various commercial establishments falling under the ward are invited. The event organised from July 21 to 23 intends to encourage residents to start composting and teach them various ways to generate organic waste. Earlier this month, BMC chief Ajoy Mehta announced that from October 2 onwards, all societies built on an area of 20,000 square meters and other bulk generators of garbage will have to compulsorily segregate waste and compost wet waste in the premises itself. However, residents seem to be unsure about composting due to lack of knowledge. Devendra Jain, Assistant Commissioner of K-east ward said, "We want societies, hotels and other commercial establishments to start composting. However, we realised that residents are willing but do not know how to operate the composting machines. Thus, we decided to organise an exhibition wherein 49 participating companies will explain the methods of converting garbage into organic manure. The organic manure gets ready within 24 hours which the societies can later sell." The K-east ward houses well-known hotels like JW Marriott, Sahara Star, ITC Grand, IBIS, Mirage, and VITS among others. It also houses hospitals including Seven Hills and Holy Spirit. The major commercial establishments in the area are TCS, Solitare Business Park, Hindustan Unilever as well as a few other companies in MIDC. Currently, the ward's Vile Parle area has around 85 per cent societies which segregate waste on a daily basis and almost 20 per cent societies in other areas have also taken an initiative to do the same, Jain said. The civic body had recently announced that bulk waste generators will have to start composting themselves. Keeping this in mind, three housing societies namely, Vijay Nagar, Devanshi, and Blossom housing society, as well as five hotels, have installed organic waste converter machines. On an average, 10 kg of organic manure is generated after composting 100 kg of wet garbage. Best out of waste The ‘Zero Waste Fest’ organised by K-east ward will see participation from 49 companies as well as 6,500 housing societies are invited These companies will explain the methods of converting garbage into organic manure On an average, 10 kg of organic manure can be generated after composting around 100 kg of wet garbage

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