GCC distributes 30,000 specialised bags to collect firecracker waste

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has distributed 30,000 specially designated bags, each with a capacity of 50 kg, to conservancy workers, for the separate collection of firecracker waste.According to a press release, GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran has requested residents to not to dump firecracker waste on roads, streets, stormwater drains or in public places, and instead hand it over to the Corporation’s conservancy workers visiting their respective areas. The Corporation has appealed to all members of the public to extend their full cooperation to these special initiatives to keep Chennai clean and safe. As per the instructions of the Commissioner, special arrangements have been made by the solid waste management department of the Chennai Corporation for the separate collection and safe disposal of firecracker waste generated during the Diwali festival in the Chennai Corporation limits. The civic body has been continuously conducting awareness programmes in schools, colleges and public gathering places to educate the public on the proper handling of firecracker waste and the importance of its separate collection. Awareness audio messages regarding firecracker waste are also being broadcast through the Corporation’s battery-operated BOV vehicles.The administrators of residential complexes classified as bulk waste generators have also been requested to collect all firecracker waste generated within their premises separately at a designated location, without mixing it with other waste, and hand it over to the Corporation’s conservancy workers.As many as 600 personnel and 350 vehicles have been deployed by the Chennai Corporation to collect the firecracker waste. The separately collected firecracker waste will be transported by the Corporation and disposed of safely through appropriate methods. In addition, intensive mass cleaning operations will be undertaken by the civic body during the Diwali festival days. In particular, night-time road sweeping and cleaning operations using mechanical sweepers and conservancy workers will be intensified.GCC has released guidelines to be followed by the residents while bursting firecrackers during the Diwali festival. Do’sThe public should burst only green crackers, which generate lower levels of air pollution and noise; the public should burst firecrackers only during the time slots permitted by the government i.e., from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and from 7 p.m.to 8 p.m.; firecracker waste should be collected separately without mixing it with other household waste and handed over to the Chennai Corporation conservancy workers; in the event of a fire while bursting firecrackers, the public should immediately spray water to extinguish the fire and prevent major accidents.Dont’sAvoid bursting series crackers, which generate excessive noise; avoid bursting firecrackers in silence zones such as hospitals, schools, courts and places of worship; avoid bursting firecrackers near huts and other areas that are highly vulnerable to fire accidents; strictly avoid piling up firecrackers and firecracker waste and setting fire to them; avoid bursting firecrackers near electrical transformers; never throw burning firecrackers into garbage bins.Residents have been requested to burst firecrackers safely during the Diwali festival and collect the resulting waste separately without mixing it with biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, the release said. Published - November 08, 2026 12:35 am IST