As many as 16 local bodies in Ernakulam district will join the ‘Waste-Free Kerala’ initiative of the government by setting up plastic waste shredding units by the end of November. They will also ensure that at least 20% of recycled plastic is used for road construction.
The move follows the government’s decision to scale up the use of plastic waste in road construction. The Hindu had earlier reported that plastic waste would be used for building at least 20% of roads in the district this fiscal.
Senior officials of Clean Kerala Company, the government agency involved in the implementation of projects to make the State waste-free, said plastic waste shredding units would be in place in the municipalities of Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Perumbavoor, Maradu, Thripunithura, Kalamassery, and Eloor by November end. Interestingly, processing has already begun at a unit opened by the North Paravur municipality as a pilot initiative, they added.
Units
The block panchayats where the units will be operational are Paravur-Chendamangalam, Vazhakkulam-Edathala, Edappally-Cheranalloor, Vypeen-Pallipuram, Palluruthy, Kothamangalam, Pambakudda-Thirumarady, Parakkadavu, and Muvattupuzha. According to Clean Kerala Company guidelines, the local bodies will enter into a supply contract with the company to set up shredding machines with a processing capacity of 100 kg per hour and up to one tonne a day.
The local bodies will also ensure that clean and dry plastic rejects are transferred to material recovery facilities through the existing collection network. The cost of machinery and installation and commissioning charges have to be met by the local bodies concerned. Besides, each of them will have to spare a built-up space of 1,000 sq ft and provide the required facilities including electricity and water supply.
Clean Kerala Company will install shredding and bailing machines. The local bodies will employ Kudumbasree members to process waste at the facilities to convert it into shredded plastic suitable for recycling and prepare it for further recycling.
The company will offer ₹18 for a kilogram of shredded plastic to the local bodies. It will be sold to contractors at ₹20 a kg for road construction.
The local bodies will have to use at least 20% of shredded plastic for road construction. More quantity of recycled plastic could be used to support the government’s objective of minimising the menace of plastic waste.