In this article, i would like to share the Reduce, Reuse,Recycle and other methods of Solid waste Management practices existing in the village of maternal Grand parents. This situation existed in most of the villages accross the telangana area in most of the houses.Hence, it is not the story of my Grand parents. Here,i will also discuss the differences with present days.I recall that earlier i published article on zero wastage of water in my Grany days.
My grand parents had agricultureand cattle. They had a lot of open space in their home. They use to sell and give the milk and milk products and vegetables at free of cost.They use to bring vessels to take out the milk. People use to bring the bags or take the vegetables in the towel (which kept on their shoulder).In case of women they take away it in the Sarre ( kongu in telugu ). Hence, there used to be no garbage for carrying out the materials.But,presently we use alot of plastic bags to take away the materials, causing garbage generation.
In my Grany days, the materials to be purchased was very low.My grany told me proudly that we are required to purchase tea powder,sugar and salt.We are producing the rest of the items.In some cases they purchase oil,grains,etc.Oil use to be briing in a steel vessel with a handle to it. grains used to be packed in paper bag (locally called lifafa) or packed in paper in a special way (locally called pudige),so as to not to spill or spoil.
As soon as reaching the home,the materials use to be shifted to the steel boxes.They use to keep the paper, hail oil bottles,few quantity of plastic and liquor bottles in a bag suspended to the nail on the wall.
The Garbage generation in those days were very low.But,even now nothing can stop the people to keep the paper and plastic in the bag. People used to sell the reusable material in exchange for something. Now, they are also selling the valuable materials in dry waste such as newspaper, Bottles, cartons,etc..In case of other material,it is not profitable to collecting person/purchaser.They also lack the knowledge to sell less valuable items.
In olden day,any preserved food or ghee ,etc.was allowed to be touched only after taking bath and with dried spoons of big size.I didn't understand the rationale behind it.I argued it as irrational. Now,i explain. Man in the insanitary form may cause contamination of preserved food.food is source of health and ill health. Also,wet spoons and hands allows the formation of fungi,which creates the waste.Thus,maintaining of piousness is a one of the waste reductionprocessess.
The old dresses used to be shared by the next sibbling in the family.The very old dresses used to be donated to the poor people.Thus,the reuse of the material is ensured.Some low quality dresses were used for holding the hot vessels.
There was a big pit digged on the north east direction to place all the agricultural waste and dung,fodder waste etc.the dry waste was not mixed in this waste.The pit was dug in such a way that all the rain water was reaching the pit.this allowed the composting of waste naturally.The compost beds were arranged following the time frame. It used to be evacuated once in six months and used as manure. Thus,recycling of waste is ensured.
Thus,the zero Garbage houses and villages were flourishing in India just 30 years ago.
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