“We need to reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills. Micro composting is an eco-friendly and cost-effective way of managing waste. By converting waste into a valuable resource, we can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.”
P. Natarajan, founder of Namma Orru Foundation, remarks that there is a profusion of tea shops, fresh fruit shops and fast food joints in this area, and the relevant refuse from these shops are taken in for composting. The Greater Chennai Corporation’s cow shed on nearby Adithanar Salai (also known as Harris Road) provides the centre with cow dung, and the Mounted Police facility on the same road supplies horse dung, on an average, 200 kg every day.
| Source of Compost | Description |
|---|---|
| Horse Dung | Average 200 kg supplied daily by the Mounted Police facility |
| Cow Dung | Provided by the Greater Chennai Corporation’s cow shed on Adithanar Salai |
| Tea Shop Waste | Tea powder waste from 12 tea shops in the area |
| Fruit Shop Waste | Egg shells from fast food shops and fruit waste from fruit shops |
| Cow Manure from Police Quarters and Police Museum | Collected from a relatively distant location |
| Green Matter (Vegetable Waste) | Collected from various markets in the area, including Pudupet market, Chinthathripet market, and more |
| Apartment Waste | Organic matter collected from apartments that want to manage their waste responsibly |
- Tea shop waste
- Fruit shop waste
- Cow dung
- Horse dung
- Green matter (vegetable waste)
- Apartment waste
The Greater Chennai Corporation micro composting centre, run by the voluntary organisation Namma Ooru Foundation, uses various materials to feed the machines ahead of the composting process. These materials are collected from a wide range of sources, including tea shops, fruit shops, fast food joints, and even the Greater Chennai Corporation’s cow shed. From a sustainable waste management perspective, the centre’s approach is commendable. By using a mix of brown matter (garden waste) and green matter (vegetable waste), the centre is able to create a nutrient-rich compost that is beneficial for the environment and agriculture.
Natarajan notes that the compost derived from various sources of organic matter is bound to have high nutrition. He adds: “IIT Madras tests the compost produced at this micro composting centre and provides a report on the carbon nitrogen ratio and other nutritions in the compost. The compost is being sold to various districts of Tamil Nadu, including Thanjavur, Dindugal, Madurai, Kanchipuram, and Thiruvallur.”
Natarajan stresses that the centre’s ability to manage waste responsibly is crucial for maintaining the health and wellbeing of the environment. He emphasizes that micro composting is an eco-friendly and cost-effective way of managing waste.
Highlights of the Centre
• Uses a mix of brown matter (garden waste) and green matter (vegetable waste)
• Collects waste from tea shops, fruit shops, fast food joints, and the Greater Chennai Corporation’s cow shed
• Produces a nutrient-rich compost
• Sells compost to various districts of Tamil Nadu
• Managed by the voluntary organisation Namma Ooru Foundation
Micro composting is a process of composting organic waste on a small scale, typically using a combination of brown and green matter.
By adopting micro composting techniques, communities can reduce their environmental impact and create a more sustainable future. The micro composting centre at Veerabadran Street is a shining example of this, providing a model for other communities to follow.
The centre’s success is a testament to the power of community-led initiatives.