THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Although the Local Government Department has decided to give grading to the local bodies on the basis of sanitation and waste management works, getting an A grade with full marks is not easy. Maximum marks are 150 based on strict criteria.

There are many standards such as door-to-door collection of organic and non-organic waste, material collection centre in each ward, waste management at source and green protocol at public events. Establishing a Material Collection Center (MCF) in every ward is a formidable challenge. These centres are used to store and sort the non-organic waste and hand it over to the agencies.

Only rare places in the state have MCF. The obstacle is rising local opposition as these could become dumping grounds.

The waste materials, including plastic, can be sold to agencies outside Kerala only if they are properly sorted and given to the Clean Kerala Company. Such centres can survive only if there is income.