Minister for Co-operation C. N. Balakrishnan has said that decentralisation of waste management was the only lasting solution for the garbage menace faced by the city. Addressing the annual convention of the District Residents' Apex Council, Thrissur, at the Kerala Sahitya Akademi hall here on Sunday, he said people should take responsibility for treating the waste they produced. “Waste generated by the whole of the city should not be dumped in one place. While providing licence for apartments, the City Corporation should ensure that they have proper waste management system,” he said. The current discussions on waste management eluded practical solutions, he alleged. The Minister urged the co-operation to identify areas for setting up decentralised waste treatment centres. Replacing the accumulated garbage to another place was not a lasting solution, he added. The Minister said alcoholism was ruining the creative young force of the State. Wide awareness programme should be conducted for rescuing the youth addicted to liquor, he said. Therambil Ramakrishnan, MLA, released the council's souvenir. “Mayor I.P. Paul was the chief guest at the function.