Church for efficient disposal of waste at home

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Efficient waste disposal begins at home, cut down use of plastic, flex boards and thermocol, the Church is advising the faithful. Concerned over the state-wide hue and cry over the dumping of waste, the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram is launching a holy war of sorts against garbage.The Archdiocese, which watches over a 2.33-lakh strong community, is set to usher in the Lent season by reminding the faithful that each individual is accountable for the garbage he/she creates. The Archdiocese is also urging faithful to avoid using thermocol, flex boards and plastic in households and church events.  A pastoral letter by Archbishop M Soosa Pakiam offering guidelines for waste disposal will be read out in churches on Sunday, church officials said.  Civic bodies, which spend up to Rs 5 crore annually on waste disposal, alone cannot find a solution to the problem. The important thing is to acknowledge the fact that each person is accountable for the waste generated by them, according to the Archdiocese.  The Church is also advising the faithful to be moderate and judicious in shopping so that the use-and-throw habit can be controlled. Besides, there is need for generating an awareness that dumping trash, even if it should be a slip of paper, in public spots and the neighbourhood is a ‘social evil’, preaches the Church.  Each family should take upon itself the responsibility of separating dry wastes from the wet. It is also advisable to convert waste into compost or biogas using facilities that may be set up at the ward or church parish level. The Archdiocese also advises planting of trees, conservation of electricity and water and reducing sound pollution to save the environment.