Need for Waste Management

Children are vulnerable to infections. If the waste generated from creche is not managed and disposed of properly, it could become a source of infection and illness among children and caregivers. Therefore, proper disposal of waste reduces the risk of contamination and illness, especially in group settings like creches.
Effectively managing the waste is important to maintain a clean, hygienic, and child-safe environment in creches. It helps prevent disease transmission, foul odour, and pest infestation, while also promoting healthy and responsible practices among caregivers and the community.

Types of Waste

Different categories of waste are generated during routine creche operations, including:

1. Food waste
2. Child Excreta
3. Dry waste

Food Waste

The food waste includes leftover cooked food, food spilled during cooking, vegetable peels and kitchen waste, and eggshells.

Waste Segregation at Source
Waste must be segregated at the point of generation. Each creche should maintain three dustbins: one for vegetable peels and eggshells, one for leftover cooked food, and one for dry waste.
All dustbins must have lids and be placed out of children’s reach to ensure safety. It is recommended that bins are clearly labelled or colour-coded to enable easy identification and correct segregation of waste.

Following are the measures to manage the food waste in creches:

1. Creches should make conscious efforts to minimize food wastage by preparing meals based on the actual attendance of children.
2. Food waste, including leftover food, dropped food, vegetable peels, and spoiled items must be collected immediately after meals to avoid attracting flies and pests.
3. Leftover cooked food must NOT be reused or stored for subsequent days.
4. It is recommended to have at least 2 dustbins with lids at every creche.
5. All vegetable waste, including eggshells, should be disposed of in the first dustbin and cleared daily.
6. Cut vegetables on a clean polythene sheet and keep the peeled skin separately.
7. Collect the dropped food waste from the floor using dustpans. Use spoons to collect leftover food from the containers.
8. The leftover cooked food and dropped food waste can be disposed of in another dustbin.

Disposal

1. Timely removal of food waste keeps the creche environment clean, odour-free, and pleasant, making it safe for children.
2. The waste should be disposed of through the local waste collection system. Alternatively, where feasible, the waste may be disposed of in compost pits.
3. Vegetable waste should be disposed of in a covered compost pit located outside the creche and away from play and food areas. This should be followed by mixing the waste with dry leaves, ash (if available), or paper for better composting.
4. It is recommended to rinse eggshells with water and crush them before disposing of them in the compost pit along with vegetable waste.
5. Eggshells should not be mixed with general garbage or thrown near the creche compound, as it may cause foul odour or flies.
6. The plain cooked food, such as rice, could be fed to domestic animals if it is suitable and safe (neither spoiled nor spicy).
7. The oily or spoiled food should not be compost. Rather, it should be buried in a deep pit located far from creche.

Construction of Pits

1. Pit for vegetable matter and eggshells:
   • It must be located at least 30 meters away from the drinking water sources and away from kitchen or food preparation areas. It should be fenced properly to protect children from access to animals.
   • The depth of the pit can be 0.5 to 1 metre, and width can be 0.5 to 1 metre.
   • It can be directly dug into the soil. The bottom should remain unlined for natural decomposition. The top of the pit must be covered with a plank to prevent access.
   • A layer of soil should be added after each addition of vegetable waste and eggshells.
   • A new pit should be dug when the existing pit is filled up to three-fourths of its capacity.
2. Pit for waste food materials:
   • The depth can be 0.5 to 1 metre, with a width of 0.5 to 1 metre.
   • It can be dug in soil and covered with plank.
   • After disposal of food cover immediately with soil or ash to prevent flies and odour.

Important Do's and Don'ts

1. Always wash hands with soap and water after handling waste.
2. Clean bins daily with soap and water.
3. Keep waste bins covered and away from children.
4. Do not throw any food waste in open drains or near the creche.
5. Do not mix vegetable waste with plastic, paper or diapers.
6. Do not leave food waste in open containers.

Good Practices

1. Creche caregivers should cook appropriate quantities to minimize leftovers.
2. Leftovers should be cleaned and disposed of immediately.
3. Food waste should be segregated and kept in separate dustbins.

Excreta Waste

In both rural and urban settings, safe disposal of faecal matter is essential to prevent the spread of diseases such as diarrhea, worm infestation, and other infections. It is strongly recommended that creches be setup in locations where functional toilet facilities are available.
While creches with toilets are better equipped for safe faecal disposal, young children—especially those between 6 months and 2 years—are often unable to use conventional toilets. In such cases, specific processes must be followed to ensure hygienic defecation and disposal of faecal matter. Creches without toilet facilities require additional precautions and clearly defined processes.

The following guidelines outline faecal waste disposal procedures for creches:

1. Children enrolled in creches with toilet facilities and those who are able to sit independently and use the toilet should be encouraged to defecate directly in the toilet.
2. For creches without toilet facilities or for younger children (7 months to 2 years)—
   • A fixed and clearly identified area must be designated for younger children who cannot use a toilet.
   • This area should be away from drinking water sources (minimum 30 meters), kitchens, food storage and eating areas, and playing and sleeping areas.
   • It should be cleaned daily and protected from animals.
   • It must not be used for any other purpose.
3. A cemented platform of minimum 4 feet x 4 feet should be constructed, preferably outside the creche building, for defecation. After defecation, children’s anal area should be cleaned either at the designated area or inside the toilet.
4. A soak pit for disposal of anal cleaning water should be constructed. A small wastewater pit can be dug near the defecation area but should be away from any water source.
5. It should be ensured that:
   • Wastewater is not poured into open areas.
   • No stagnant water is left on the surface
   • It should be covered with soil when full and a new one can be dug.
6. Wherever feasible, anal cleaning wastewater can be disposed of in the faecal waste pit through a pipe connection, ensuring a safe and contained flow.
7. A portable child potty should be available and used in the designated defecation area.
   • After use, the fecal matter must be disposed of in the toilet.
   • Potty must be cleaned thoroughly and should be stored separately from food, utensils, and play materials.
8. Cleaning of pants and clothes soiled in faecal matter:
   • Proper cleaning and handling of clothes soiled with faecal matter is critical to prevent the spread of infections and to maintain hygiene within the creche.
   • Cleaning of soiled clothes must be carried out only in the designated defecation area/platform. They must not be washed in kitchens, food preparation areas, or near water sources.
   • Remove solid faecal matter from the clothes by shaking or scraping it directly into the faecal matter disposal pit or toilet.
   • Rinse the soiled portion of the clothing using water only in the designated washing area. Do not rinse clothes in open areas.
   • Collect the rinse water and dispose of it into the soak pit or designated wastewater pit.
   • Ensure no wastewater is left to stagnate on the surface.
   • Wash the clothes thoroughly using soap. Rub well, especially the soiled area. Rinse again with clean water. Dispose of the final rinse water into the soak pit.
   • Dry the washed clothes in direct sunlight. Clothes must not be dried inside rooms, near cooking areas, or in shaded indoor spaces. Sunlight helps in killing germs and reducing odour.
   • Creche caregivers are required to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling soiled clothes and after cleaning and disposing of wastewater.
9. Safety and Hygiene Measures:
   • Children must always be supervised during defecation.
   • The designated defecation area/platform must be cleaned daily.
   • Creche caregivers must wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after assisting a child during defecation, cleaning the child, handling or disposing of faecal matter, and disposing of wastewater.
10. Disposal of Faecal Matter
    • Faecal matter and anal cleaning water must be disposed of only in the designated faecal waste pit.
    • The waste pit must be located at least 30 metres away from drinking water sources, kitchen and food storage areas, children’s play and sleeping areas, and in a place not prone to flooding.
    • Specifications for Faecal Waste Pit:
    • The recommended depth is 1 metre to 1.5 metre with width of 1 metre.
    • The pit should be deep enough to safely contain waste and reduce smell and insect breeding.
    • Inner walls may be lined with bricks or stones to prevent collapse. The bottom should remain unlined to allow natural absorption into the soil.
    • The pit edge should be slightly raised above ground level to prevent rainwater from entering.
    • The pit must have a tight-fitting cover, such as - wooden plank, stone slab, or cement cover
    • The pit must be fenced or otherwise secured to prevent access by children.
    • The pit should always remain covered when not in use.
11. Only the faecal matter and anal cleaning water should be disposed of in the pit. No solid waste, food waste, or other materials should be added.
12. Sprinkle ash or dry soil regularly to keep the pit dry and reduce odour and flies. The pit should be checked regularly for any overflow, bad odour, or fly or insect breeding.
13. When faecal waste reaches three-fourths of the pit’s depth, the pit must not be used further. It should be completely filled with soil and a new waste pit must be dug following the same specifications.

Dry Waste

Dry waste typically includes: 1. Paper and cardboard, 2. plastic wrappers, covers and packets, and empty sachets, 3. Containers, and broken plastic items, 4. Cloth pieces and old rags, 5. Dry leaves and dust collected during sweeping.

Following are the guidelines for segregation and disposal of dry waste in creches:

1. Dry waste must be segregated at source.
2. It must not be mixed with food waste, faecal matter, or soiled sanitary waste.
3. Dry waste should also be collected daily and stored in a dry and covered dustbin
4. It is to be ensured that the waste does not overflow, and no sharp or broken items are exposed.
5. Disposal methods:
   • The waste can be handed over to solid waste collection services, wherever possible.
   • Alternatively, the waste should be disposed of as per Gram Panchayat guidelines or designated disposal points.
   • Dry waste should not be burnt in and around creche premised or thrown in open areas, drains or water bodies.