KOCHI: Though the problem of microplastics (less than 5mm) seems to be huge, several initiatives were undertaken by the state and private enterprises to curb the menace. A few private entrepreneurs in Kochi joined hands to setup a waste-to-energy plant to deal with the plastic problem.
“The decision to set up the plant was taken in 2008 at Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry 150th anniversary to deal with plastic and garbage problems. Cusat’s research said Kochi generated around 230 tonnes of waste, of which 20% was plastic. We formed a company called
Cochin Waste-to-Energy Pvt Ltd
and several entrepreneurs and government bodies showed interest in the project. There were a few hitches on the way, we expect to be up and running in 2019,” said
Jose Dominic
, director of the firm. They have an acre in
Willingdon Island
and are awaiting the final set of equipment to begin the project.
Once operational, plastic waste from malls, hotels and even municipalities will be treated at the plant in Willingdon Island using gasification process. Plastic will be heated and it will turn into gas to generate energy. “The firm can dispose a ton of plastic for Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000,” said
Dominic
, who suggested that similar plants can be set up elsewhere in the state and country.
Another initiative is the
Clean Kerala Company Ltd
, set up by the state government in 2016 that used 245 tonnes of non-recyclable plastic to tar polymerized roads.
Former MD of the firm
Kabir B Haroon
, who will now spearhead the government’s waste management initiatives in Brahmapuram, Ernakulam said that the company tarred around 50 km of polymerized road in 2016-17 and 200km in 2017-18. Around 1,300kg of plastic was utilized in tarring 1km stretch of the road.
“There are two kinds of plastic, one that can be recycled and microplastics that cannot be recycled. Recyclable plastic problem can be resolved. At Clean Kerala we utilized nonrecyclable waste to tar roads,” said Haroon. This year Clean Kerala has mobilized Kudumbashree workers and volunteers to raise awareness and collect plastic waste.
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