A composting facility will be made mandatory for all residential apartments and gated communities in 5,000 sq ft area, which generate more than 100 kg waste—mainly biodegradable—per day before March 31. The non-biodegradable waste should be disposed safely for recycling with the help of Corporation staff or Corporation-recognised contractors, said Coimbatore Corporation and Municipal Commissioner K Vijayakarthikeyan.

Commercial establishments, including marriage halls, restaurants, hotels, and hospitals, schools which generate huge waste exceeding 100 kg will also come under the purview of the new regulation.

Under the regulation, which is aimed at streamlining the garbage disposal mechanism in the city, all stakeholders are being asked to create their own composting infrastructure well before the March deadline. “The necessary technical expertise and advice will be extended to them by Corporation officials, ” Vijayakarthikeyan said.

This new rule will encompass all the 100 wards in the 5 zones of the civic body, he said.

While segregation at source of generated waste is already in place in the civic body limits, the composting initiative to produce organic manure or gas is expected to encourage communities and residential apartments to grown lawns, trees and vegetable patches in their respective neighbourhoods.

“This green initiative will also help create awareness about solid waste management in citizens,” said the Commissioner.