Trying to improve solid waste management in Tehran, the Department of Environment has called on startups and knowledge-based firms to send their ideas and solutions.
Households in Tehran generate over 8,000 tons of garbage every day, of which a substantial part is recyclable. Due to the lack of proper and advanced recycling facilities most of the urban waste ends up in landfills polluting the soil, air, and water.
Director of DOE's Water and Soil Office, Ali Moridi says the existing waste management policies are mostly focused on waste disposal techniques, and disregard prevention, sorting and collection processes, ISNA reported.
Households trying to carve out a more environment-friendly life, voluntarily sort their garbage. However, due to poor oversight, the urban waste collection services mix the waste material during the gathering process.
“The DOE hopes to tap startups and entrepreneurs’ vast potential for enhancing waste management,” Moridi added.
Through efficient collaboration the agency hopes to launch a smart application for collecting waste paper and plastic and install ‘reverse vending machines’ for recycling bottles and cans.
Moridi says that the application would be like the software used by ride-hailing firms. On an interactive map, people will mark their location and teams will come to collect their recyclable trash such as paper and plastic bottles.
“Reverse vending machines can be employed as well, which instead of dispensing stuff, takes in empty drink cans, and in exchange dole out money,” he said.
DOE is in talks with the National Environment Fund for funding support for its projects.
Moridi called on the Tehran Municipality to support startups active in urban development and waste management because they can offer efficient and low-cost solutions to Tehran’s growing urban ills.
Tehran is the eight largest producer of urban waste in the country. The figure is higher in tourist cities in the northern regions near the Caspian Sea.
Reverse vending machines for plastic and metal material can be spotted in most developed countries, and governments have introduced smart solutions for waste management to make the best out of waste.
