T’puram: The Haritha Karma Sena (HKS), the city corporation’s green task force, recorded a steady rise in revenue generation and waste collection during the financial year 2025-26, underscoring the growing effectiveness of decentralized waste management systems and increased public participation. The highest monthly revenue was recorded in March 2026 at Rs 28.76 crore, driven by a sharp increase in income from the sale of recyclable materials, which alone contributed over Rs 1.80 crore during the month, the highest such monthly figure in the year.According to official data from corporation, total revenue generated during the year stood at Rs 336.18 crore, with household user fees contributing the lion’s share. Of this, Rs 264.91 crore came from households, while user fees from establishments added Rs 54.43 crore. Revenue from the sale of recyclable waste accounted for Rs 16.83 crore, reflecting improved material recovery and market linkage. The monthly revenue trend remained stable, largely ranging between Rs 27 crore and Rs 28.7 crore, but the last quarter of the financial year showed a noticeable surge. Dec 2025 (Rs 28.55 crore) and Jan 2026 (Rs 28.44 crore) also posted strong performances, indicating sustained momentum in revenue mobilization, the data noted. In parallel with revenue growth, waste collection volumes showed a significant upward trend. The total inorganic waste collected during the year reached 73,98,325 tonnes, pointing to enhanced operational efficiency and improved segregation at source. Monthly waste collection figures reflected a gradual increase, especially in the second half of the year. The financial year began with around 4.99 lakh tonnes in April 2025 and steadily climbed in the following months. The highest monthly waste collection was recorded in Jan 2026 at 7.51 lakh tonnes, marking a peak in HKS operations. Other high-performing months included Dec 2025 (7 lakh tonnes) and March 2026 (6.84 lakh tonnes), indicating sustained efficiency in collection and processing systems. The increase in waste collection during the latter months, particularly in Dec and Jan, can be attributed to higher consumption patterns during the festive and holiday season. This also translated into increased recyclable recovery, contributing to higher revenue from waste sales. However, minor fluctuations were observed during the monsoon months. June and Sept recorded comparatively lower figures in both revenue and waste collection, likely due to logistical challenges posed by heavy rains. “Overall, the data reflect a strengthening waste management ecosystem. The consistent inflow of user fees, coupled with rising income from recyclable waste, demonstrates the viability of the HKS model,” a senior corporation official told TOI.HKS was formed in 2022 in all local self-govts to address the state’s severe waste management crisis through a decentralized approach.
