Zero Waste Bhutan APP and Bhutanese

Source: google

With an online app and reporting system, there is a little hope and probably a last chance to realise waste and littering issues to fix. We must fix this issue at the earliest, more wholesomely than ever.

 

What does it mean by this online waste app? Did we fail to keep our surrounding litter-free? Does it talk about our poor waste discipline? Where have we gone wrong in this mission?

 

I have always been one of the avid advocates and social workers in this field for so long. One thing that so much that gripped me for the longest time is the work of waste, which I did so sincerely and wholeheartedly for the nation and most of us think that this is not a serious matter to discuss and many think that this issue can be solved on its own, which is wrong. I have never found this program to be effective and successful even with our educated section of society. Therefore, over the years, I lose my faith in the waste management campaign program taken up by different individuals and institutions. 

 

Every time I come across someone initiating or picking up someone's litter, I feel pity for them losing their precious time, energy and resources. 

 

Recently, I was part of the ongoing National Campaign on Zero Waste Bhutan App led by the District Environment Officer and his team. They hope to launch this online app on November 11. The day is so significant for Bhutanese people since it is a day to celebrate the Birth Anniversary of our beloved Great Fourth, which is a good day to start this national initiative. 

 

Due to my interest in this social area, I know quite a lot about waste management policies before I take refuge in front of the team. I know how to effectively manage my waste. However, listening to them wasn't anything new to me at least, because I am doing my part of managing whatever amount of waste I produce on my own so far without a single campaign and incentive –I am doing this as a concerned citizen. This is the simplest act to give back to the nation for all the privileges of free education and healthcare I have received without any denial.  Simplest thing I do on a daily basis is a small act of taking care of my waste. From the time I knew my existence, tiniest wrapper always goes in the right place. This is my fundamental duty!

 

As sweet as they claimed, it won't be any easy game, what lies ahead is still difficult, it is quite clear that -this national move would be tricky and challenging as we move forward, but our little contribution would be a game-changer. The simplest steps we must encourage and take in this endeavour is to educate our children at home consistently. Furthermore, framing a national curriculum on waste and littering programs at school and community with monitoring can be a turning point, otherwise, we are Bhutanese with our own Bhutanese instinct. 

 

Let me share one interesting program I came across in NHK World –a Japanese TV channel a few years back. I fell in love with that old lady who is said to be so addicted to organizing waste at home. She went on to explain how careful she acts when it comes to waste. What kept me so much close regarding the program was her humanness, mindfulness, rigor and consistency even at an age when most of our people retire back from life is what is different for a Japanese woman. This is simply an exemplary act of human beings. She has a separate dumping bin for –organic, dry and hazardous. What is more mesmerizing than this small act of goodness. Most of her kitchen waste goes back to the kitchen garden as organic manure and the rest of the bin goes to the right dumping truck. I feel this is a missing link here with us. 

 

Catch phrase of this app is so beautiful –Zero Waste Bhutan by 2030. How? Why so long? 

What is wrong with My Waste, My Responsibility, which has turned quite ominous and blind when we have many systems in place.

 

They have this crazy proposal of reducing disposal at landfill to 80%, but what and how is missing. Most of the sharing happened just that the nation is made to follow this online app but the pathway is ambiguous. However, waste management facilities such as drop off centres, waste collection facilities, facility maps and street litter bins are reassuring only if every single Bhutanese takes them with open heart, and sincerely for the cause of this great nation.

 

It is easier said than done, if not any other initiative –it is time to act in this national interest like no other program. Time is now!

 

 

How bad is a Happy Nation?

Chocolate or food wrappers, papers, napkins, pet bottles, E-waste top the trash list that are in fact greatly impacting the world environment today. Everyone is equally responsible, no matter where one lives and what background one comes from. However, recent news on waste issues isn't welcoming –"same old wastes around tourist destinations even without a single foreign visitor". This headline is so blind. This is very unlikely. This can likely to cause a national shame. 

 

Perhaps dumping waste in the right place is completely an "individual or personal choice" but very "secret service" to the nation. Whatever –the blame game is worsening our domestic problem and reputation all these years. 

 

We're into an extremely critical time of who'd take care of our waste. For quite long, I've been doing a decent job of not littering at least whatever I produce both at home and workplace. As always I dump my waste mindfully –no matter what situation I come across or wherever I go or whatever I take. I always take trash as an individual "moral responsibility". I take a chance to share my concern on the environment and waste issues, and of course I take pride in educating my kids back home on proper waste management. I strongly believe home culture makes a difference in the life of everyone. At the same time, I keep educating our young school children to be responsible on waste or trash they produce – eat whatever comes your way, but be responsible on the waste you produce, size doesn't matter, after all waste is a waste and it causes harm to our environment and other animals that coexist with humans. Therefore, please put it in the right place. Before I begin my day's lesson I also make sure that the classroom is kept clean, dustbins are emptied and no single piece of waste is littered around.  

However, during this pandemic a group of tour guides are fruitfully engaging in several cleaning campaigns all around and at the same time creating awareness to the general public. But the very next day the littering of trash around seems almost the same. Nevertheless, they deserve our sincere credit for their good work. Similarly, thromde, municipal and other relevant stakeholders are equally fighting hard in keeping every part of the country clean and litter free is something commendable, but most of their time and effort are going in vain. Therefore, to be more successful towards keeping a clean environment, or litter free, the good habit should begin at home; good parenting and a credible education system can go a long way in curbing this issue. 

What can an individual do for this challenge is very simple yet very secret and special for the country. We need a "third eye" to see this perennial issue. Also making a reliable and affordable means of reducing waste at source can make our environment litter-free or clean to live in. Nevertheless "mentality" and "civic sense" can be a game changer. It is an inexpensive program.