PMC Garden / Green waste Disposal & Integrated Waste Management Project

Case Study

PMC Garden / Green waste Disposal & Integrated Waste Management Project

21 june 2024 – 5min Read

Project Overview

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is one of the largest municipal bodies in India, managing a population of over 3 million. Waste management, particularly the disposal of garden/green waste, has been an ongoing challenge due to the rapid urbanization and expansion of green spaces across the city. In response to these challenges, Unity Green Solutions provided the green waste handling and disposal demonstration for the entire process for duration of about 1 year in year 2016 as a result PMC awarded a contract to Unity Green Solution Pvt. Ltd. for the management of garden /green waste.

This partnership began with a 5-year contract for garden /green waste disposal from 2017 to 2022 and was later extended to a 20-year integrated project (2022-2042) for the collection, transportation, and Safe Disposal of garden /green waste,with a processing capacity of 250 tons per day (TPD). Unity Green Solution’s role focuses on the collection, transportation, and disposal aspects, contributing to Pune’s efforts in maintaining cleaner, greener public spaces.

Challenges Faced by PMC:

1. Increased Geographical Limits and Rising Green Waste Generation:

Pune, with its expanded geographical boundaries incorporating 34 additional villages, has witnessed a significant rise in garden /green waste generated from public parks, residential areas, commercial complexes, and institutional spaces.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) faced challenges in managing this waste efficiently due to limited resources and the growing need for sustainable solutions.

2. Inadequate Infrastructure for Garden /Green waste Disposal:

PMC lacked the infrastructure required to manage large volumes of garden /green waste, with few facilities for processing, recycling, or Safe Disposal.

This resulted in irregular collection, overburdened landfills, and environmental concerns.

3. Lack of Efficient Transportation Mechanism:

PMC's existing waste collection and transportation system was not equipped to handle large quantities of garden /green waste in a streamlined manner.

The need for specialized vehicles and efficient logistics to ensure timely and effective disposal was critical.

Unity Green Solution’s Role in Addressing the Challenges:

1. Collection and Transportation of Garden /Green waste(2017-2022):

In 2017, Unity Green Solution was awarded the initial 5-year contract by PMC, focusing specifically on garden /green waste management. The firm was tasked with:

Collection: Unity Green Solution provided door-to-door collection services for garden /green waste, collecting waste from public parks, residential areas, and commercial spaces across Pune.

Transportation: Unity Green Solution introduced specialized vehicles designed for the safe and efficient transportation of garden /green waste, ensuring the timely removal of waste from designated collection points to disposal sites.

Disposal: Unity Green Solution ensured the proper and Safe Disposal of garden /green waste, following environmental guidelines and regulations to minimize the impact on the surrounding ecosystem.

This system helped reduce the burden on local landfills, contributed to cleaner streets and parks, and ensured that PMC’s waste management efforts were in line with environmental standards.

2. Expansion to Integrated Garden /Green waste Management Project (2022-2042):

Given the success of the 2017-2022 contract, PMC recognized the need for a more integrated, long-term solution to manage garden /green waste. In 2022, the contract was expanded to a 20-year project with the following features:

Integrated Waste Management: Unity Green Solution took on a more comprehensive role, managing the entire process of garden /green waste from collection to disposal, encompassing public and private sectors.

250 TPD Processing Capacity: The integrated project included a processing facility capable of handling up to 250 tons of garden /green waste per day. This scale of operation addressed the increasing waste generation in Pune, ensuring all waste was processed in an environmentally responsible manner.

Safe Disposal and Sustainability: Unity Green Solution utilized state-of-the-art technology for the Safe Disposal of garden /green waste, focusing on recycling and converting waste into valuable products like Biomass,Briquette (White Coal),Firewood. This initiative reduced the need for landfills and contributed to PMC’s sustainability goals.

Collaboration with PMC: Unity Green Solution worked closely with PMC to ensure the smooth implementation of this integrated solution. By aligning the project with PMC’s long-term waste management and sustainability objectives, Unity Green helped create a greener and more sustainable Pune.

3. Solutions and Key Innovations:

Customized Collection and Transportation System: Unity Green Solution developed and implemented a specialized collection and transportation system to manage garden /green waste efficiently. This system included the use of dedicated vehicles equipped with Waste Management Software (WMS), GPS tracking, geofencing, and geotagging technologies. These features ensured precise route planning, minimized contamination with other types of waste, and enabled real- time monitoring for timely and efficient waste removal.

Environmental Best Practices in Disposal: Unity Green Solution adopted innovative disposal techniques to convert garden /green waste into biomass, briquettes, and other valuable by-products. These methods significantly reduced environmental impact while supporting the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) commitment to achieving the city’s zero-waste and sustainability goals.

Outcomes and Impact:

1. Improved Waste Management Efficiency:

The specialized fleet of vehicles and optimized transportation systems helped streamline garden /green waste collection, ensuring more efficient use of resources and quicker removal of waste from public spaces.

2. Environmental Benefits:

Previously, garden /green waste in Pune was often dumped at depots, where it was sometimes set on fire, causing air pollution and health hazards.

The introduction of sustainable practices eliminated such incidents by ensuring proper handling and disposal of green waste.

Additionally, the project contributed to a significant reduction in methane emissions from landfills, further minimizing the city’s environmental footprint.

3. Long-Term Sustainability:

The 20-year contract extension marked a pivotal step toward sustainable waste management for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Unity Green Solution emphasized self-sustainability by implementing cost-effective practices that minimized the financial burden on PMC.

Through their integrated approach, which optimized resource utilization and relied on innovative waste-handling solutions, the initiative ensured long-term improvements in waste management, environmental sustainability, and the creation of a cleaner, greener urban environment.

Conclusion

The partnership between PMC and Unity Green Solution has been a successful model of how collaboration between public and private sectors can address urban waste management challenges. Through a mix of specialized technology, Safe Disposal methods, and community engagement, Unity Green Solution has played a pivotal role in transforming Pune’s garden /green waste management.

This project serves as a benchmark for sustainable waste management practices in urban settings and highlights the importance of long-term planning in addressing waste challenges. The continued partnership between PMC and Unity Green Solution will contribute significantly to a greener, more sustainable Pune for the years to come.

Case Study