Tiruvannamalai town generates 52 Tons of Solid Waste per day out of this nearly 40 MT of the Solid Waste being collected, transported and disposed daily, which works to per capita generation of 250 gms./day. The efficiency of the present mechanism is able to collect 75% of the total waste generated in the town. The Urban Local Body also carry out weekly mass waste cleaning programme to clear the left out wastes by making extra vehicle trips in the town. The total garbage collected constitutes 48% of the domestic wastes 42% commercial wastes and 10% of construction wastes. The details of solid waste composition and collection efficiency are shown in the Table.

     The Solid Waste collection mechanism extended in 5 Zones, which covers the entire Tiruvannamalai town. According to the collection efficiency of solid waste collection mechanism by the Urban Local Body, the zone III is fully covered with 100% coverage (Market-Perishable Waste) and Zones I & III are covered with 65% coverage, whereas the Zones IV has low collection with 58% coverage. The total collection altogether is able to achieve 80% of coverage in the waste generated in the town, is shown in the Table.

     At present, there are two compost yards available for solid waste dumping at Esanyam Road and Manalurpet Road and the waste is generally disposed. These areas, 3 km away from the town center, which occupy an area of 5.00 acres. The Compost Yard at Esanyam Road occupay an area on 7.00 acres, provided with adequate infrastructure facilities such as road way Bridge, Waste sequention platform mechanical Siever and Security room.

     The present mechanism of solid waste management exhibits that the waste is segregated into biodegradable (other than plastics) and non-degradable (plastics)waste. Due to constraints involved in getting approval from the Pollution control Board there is no production of manure at the compost yard site. Therefore, the Urban Local Body initiating action to privatize the Solid Waste Collection System and composting activities in the town, the details are shown in Table.

     Segregation of Waste at Source : Each and every household person is instructed by the Urban local Body to maintain separate baskets for segregation of waste as biodegradable and non-degradable. The residents are using separate baskets for segregating the waste and keep the baskets in front of their houses for easy handling of the conservancy workers.

     To create awareness among the public and to make them realize the importance of segregation of garbage, handbills have been distributed to each and every houses/households and propaganda on the zero garbage system have also been made through the health Division.

     At present, the Urban Local Body maintains zero garbage system covering all the 20 wards: however the response among the public is poor. However, action is being taken to create awareness among the public in maintaining Zero Garbage System. 

     At present dumping site is not fully improved to carry out any composting activities. Therefore the municipal authorities are taking measures to solve the problem.