Briquettes from green waste: Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation’s eco plan

Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to make briquettes by processing green waste in a specialised plant.BMC officials said once made, the briquettes will be used green fuel that emits minimum smoke. “Our plan is to take the biomass briquette initiative to convert the city’s green waste into clean fuel, positioning the project as a key step towards circular economy-based urban governance and reduced air pollution,” BMC commissioner Chanchal Rana said.BMC officials said as part of the model, the civic body will facilitate the setting up of a biomass briquette manufacturing plant. A selected private agency will install, operate and maintain the facility and will pay BMC a monthly royalty of Rs 75,000 for a period of 10 years, creating a steady revenue stream for the civic body.The plant will process horticulture and green waste such as tree branches, twigs and dry leaves — materials that were traditionally dumped, transported to landfill sites, or burnt in the open.“Open burning contributes to local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while dumping adds to landfill pressure and handling costs. By converting this waste into briquettes, the project aims to reduce both disposal volumes and emissions,” BMC additional commissioner Kailash Chandra Dash said.Biomass briquettes produced at the facility will be supplied as an alternative fuel for industrial boilers and furnaces, with potential use in crematoriums and institutions. “The briquettes are also expected to partially replace coal and firewood, supporting cleaner combustion practices and lowering dependence on conventional fossil fuels,” Dash added.BMC officials said the initiative aligns with national objectives under the Swachh Bharat Mission and broader circular economy principles and could serve as a replicable model for other urban local bodies seeking low-cost, self-sustaining waste-to-resource solutions.Civic officials said the project is also expected to reduce municipal expenditure on transporting bulky green waste and managing landfill loads, while generating value through the sale of briquettes and the royalty arrangement.