How to use “Matka” for segregation of waste #SustainableLockdown

By: Niki Singh

The lockdown has been an eye-opener for a lot of us. We are living with limited resources. We are making the best use of resources. Also, I think this is the time when we can look at adopting a sustainable lifestyle. I am not asking you to make big drastic steps. Take one step at a time.

Segregating your waste is one of the most things you can do.

If you look at your dustbin, the majority of the waste is going to be wet waste. What is wet waste?

Anything that is produced in the kitchen. There are many reasons why I should be segregating wet and dry waste. But, I am going to quickly talk about some of them.

When the wet waste enters the landfill, which is 99% of the case it will, it produces greenhouse gases. And we all know how harmful greenhouse gases are.

Second is if we don’t mix wet and dry waste, then probably some of the dry waste, like plastics or a glass bottle can be upcycled or recycled.

The third and most important point, considering the current situation. While I know that in a lot of societies, waste pickers are still coming to pick garbage, but imagine the kind of risk that a person is taking, just to clear the garbage off the house. Now, once you start segregating, you can see the results immediately. You will notice that the same dustbin is going to take much longer to fill.

Now, what will you do with the wet waste?

It’s easy you can start composting. You can start composting in a flat or a balcony. There are lots of readymade composters available. But, looking at the current situation, nobody is going to buy them. You can also create one at home.

Take a plastic ‘dabba’ or a paint bucket and drill the holes in it. I use a ‘matka’. There should be holes drilled at the bottom as well.

Every 3-4 days, put wet waste in the ‘matka’ or ‘dabba’, layer it with dry leaves. Which you can easily find in your community garden. And that’s the process

Wet waste, dry leaves. Give it a mix every few days. Once, it is full, set it aside. Prepare another Matka or another bucket, but keep giving it a mix every few days. In 30-40 days, you will notice that it is completely composted. Its great manure for the plants.

Use this time wisely and take up sustainable practices!

Niki Singh

Niki Singh


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