Waste-free Maradu’, an ambitious programme to free the municipal area of waste heaped on the roadside and curb unsustainable waste disposal practices has ended up drawing a lot of flak from residents. However, the municipal authority has defended its programmes, launched about a year ago.

The municipal authority’s pipe compost, bio-gas and soon-to-be-launched bio-pots programmes are aimed at getting rid of waste generated by households and business establishments in a sustainable manner.