NGOs R-Nisarg Foundation and Enviro Vigil along with the association kickstarted a first-of-its-kind bio-medical waste management training programme for healthcare professionals. While the 1,800 plus medical organisations in the city generate over two tonnes of hazardous biomedical waste on a daily basis, as much as 600kg or 30 per cent of this toxic waste is not segregated properly according to the data accumulated by Enviro Vigil.

Environmental experts working in this industry asserted that while 30 per cent may seem like a small number, this mismanagement of bio-medical waste, however small, could not only result in the spreading of infections and diseases for those handling the misplaced toxic waste, but also affect the environment through incorrect disposal.

"The segregation of bio-medical waste is a four-pronged system. While the yellow coloured bag is used for disposing biomedical waste that needs to be burnt like body organs, blood, soiled waste and so on, the red bag is for plastic, rubber and other recyclable waste. The blue bag is for glass and metal and the white canister is for sharp items like razors and needles," said Dr Lata Ghanshamnani, founder of R-Nisarg Foundation, while addressing a crowd of 100 plus healthcare professionals at the first training session in Naupada.

"Putting the waste from the yellow bag in the others could affect the health of those further segregating the waste as they could come in touch with the infected blood and fluids. Meanwhile, putting the recyclable waste like rubber and plastic in the yellow bag could result in high air pollution levels. This is why it is crucial that this hazardous waste is managed safely," she added.

The training programme will continue for the coming three months after which this entire system will be digitalised.

"After the training, each medical organisation will be given an identity and password to a special website, where they can update the waste segregated, generated and handed over to us," said Prasad Date, CEO of Enviro Vigil.