As part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Office of the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Amlarem, an exposure visit on waste management was organised on April 11, 2026 to Mawlai Mawroh and the Marten Waste Processing and Disposal Site (MWPDS), Shillong under the Clean Amlarem Campaign. The programme was organised by the Office of the SDO (Civil), Amlarem in collaboration with the Office of the Director, Urban Affairs and State Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission, Shillong.
The exposure visit formed part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations marking 50 years of Amlarem Sub-Division, which holds the distinction of being the first sub-division in Meghalaya to reach this milestone. The programme aimed to expose community leaders, women’s groups and local stakeholders to modern waste management practices and to explore how similar initiatives could be adopted in smaller towns and rural areas.
The programme began with a welcome address and technical presentation by Assistant Engineer of the Shillong Municipal Board, Shri F. B. Chyne, who provided an overview of the waste management system adopted in Shillong and the functioning of the Marten Waste Processing and Disposal Site. He also highlighted the historical background of the facility, which has been operational since 1938 and currently serves as the primary waste management facility for Shillong city.
The programme was attended by Shri Lahkmen Rymbui, Hon’ble Minister in charge of the Education Department, Information & Public Relations Department, Law Department and Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Government of Meghalaya, and the local MLA of the 7-Amlarem Constituency, West Jaintia Hills District, who addressed the participants during the visit.
In his address, the Minister emphasised that maintaining cleanliness requires a systematic approach to waste management.
“No matter how clean a village or town may appear, it will have little meaning if there is no proper system in place to manage waste,” he said.
He further pointed out that waste management is not only an environmental necessity but also an opportunity for livelihood generation.
“Waste management also has tremendous potential for employment and income generation if it is properly organised and managed,” he added.
The Minister stated that the exposure visit was organised so that participants from Amlarem could learn from the waste management systems implemented in Shillong and explore ways to replicate appropriate models in their own areas. He also expressed confidence that Amlarem has the potential to develop into a town in the future, and therefore emphasised the importance of planning proper waste management systems at an early stage.
During the presentation, officials of the Shillong Municipal Board explained that the Marten Waste Processing and Disposal Site, located in Mawlai, currently handles approximately 200 tonnes of waste generated daily from Shillong city, out of which around 185 tonnes reach the Marten site for processing. Through systematic segregation and processing, about 154 tonnes of waste are converted into useful recyclable materials, including 96 tonnes converted into compost manure, 41 tonnes recovered as reusable materials such as glass, metals and paper, and 17 tonnes consisting of plastic waste, while the remaining inert waste is disposed of through sanitary landfill systems.
Officials also highlighted several modern facilities and projects currently operational at the Marten site, including the 170 TPD Compost Plant, where organic waste is processed into compost for agricultural use; the Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) with a capacity of 115 KLD; a plasma-based incineration plant capable of processing four tonnes of hazardous waste per day; and a Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facility equipped with incinerators, shredders and autoclaves.
The site also houses scrap yards and recycling units, where registered scrap dealers purchase recyclable materials from waste collectors and transport them to recycling centres in Byrnihat and other parts of Assam. In addition, a sanitary landfill facility has been constructed for the safe disposal of non-recyclable waste.
Officials further informed participants about the ongoing bio-mining project aimed at clearing nearly 3.45 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste, in compliance with the directives of the National Green Tribunal. The project is intended to reduce environmental hazards and recover usable materials from previously dumped waste.
Participants were also briefed on the economic potential of waste management activities, with recyclable materials such as plastic bottles, glass and scrap metals generating income for waste collectors and recyclers. It was highlighted that around 88 individuals currently earn their livelihood as waste pickers and recyclers at the Marten site, demonstrating how waste management can support local employment.
The compost produced at the facility has been tested and approved by the Department of Agriculture and is sold at ₹5 per kilogram, with approximately 80 percent supplied to government departments such as the Agriculture and Forest Departments, while the remaining 20 percent is sold to the public.
Officials also highlighted the significance of the Waste Management Rules 2026, which mandate stricter compliance by all stakeholders involved in waste handling. Under these rules, waste must be segregated at source into four categories—organic waste, plastic waste, sanitary waste and domestic hazardous waste. The rules also require waste collectors, scrap dealers and recycling units to register with authorities, maintain proper records and undergo regular monitoring and audits to ensure safe and efficient waste management.
Participants were taken on a guided tour of the facility where they observed the various stages of waste segregation, composting, recycling and scientific landfill management. Demonstrations were also given on the functioning of machinery such as trommel machines used for primary and secondary waste segregation.
During the interaction session, Shri Kampher Pohlong, Headman of Amlarem Village and Secretary of Synjuk Ki Waheh Shnong, War Jaintia, stated that the exposure visit had helped participants understand the importance of waste segregation and the economic value of waste.
Smt. Mary Mon Surong, Secretary of Seng Kynthei Amlarem, who was among the participants, described the visit as a valuable learning experience and stated that the knowledge gained during the programme would be shared with the community, particularly those engaged in market activities, to encourage better waste segregation and improved sanitation practices.
A total of 25 participants, including nine men and sixteen women from different parts of the Amlarem area, including Mawlong village, took part in the exposure visit.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing appreciation to the Minister, officials of the Shillong Municipal Board, the Office of the Block Development Officer, the Office of the SDO (Civil) Amlarem and the Sub-Divisional Public Relations Office for organising the programme and facilitating the exposure visit aimed at promoting awareness and adoption of sustainable waste management practices.
