Thane duo invent machine which converts plastic into energy

Mumbai: Thane residents have come up with a unique machine that produces fuel from plastic and biogas from wet waste which can further generate electricity. These can be used to meet your small-time fuel needs like oiling machine, power generator, etc.

A strong urge in zero garbage led the Thane residents Vikal Chaurasiya and Melwyn Fernandes to invent a machine which can be beneficial for the environment as well as reduce the burden on the municipal body. The idea of making such a machine struck them two years ago, and the duo has been working on it since then.

 “You will hardly find a house without plastic wastes, be it water bottles or plastic bags or empty cans. It is extremely difficult to decompose plastic. So we together thought of chipping in for the environment and people,” said Melwyn Fernandes, 47, who is a mechanical engineer and also a parishioner.

The Thane inhabitants claim the machine uses plastic wastes to make fuel which has a component similar to diesel. The machine available in the market weighs around two tons, but they made it in such a way that every society would be able to utilise it.

“The machine is capable of converting five kilos of plastic into fuel daily. It can be used by housing societies to process their plastic waste. This diesel-like fuel can be used to oil other machines – as fuel in generators or even burn funeral pyres,” Vikal Chaurasiya, founder of Urja Setu, said.

Chaurasiya also added that it is the first machine which focuses on converting dry wastes into something useful. “While handling wet wastes, people forget that they have to take care of dry wastes as well. Many equipments are available for wet waste treatment, so we decided to make the machine which would convert dry wastes, plastic in particular, as well,” he said.

Thane city generates over 700 metric tonnes of garbage daily. There are over 700 big housing complexes in Thane and dumping garbage becomes a big issue. “Time and again, (Bombay) High court has asked officials to look into ways of solid waste management. But at the same time, people should also step up and do their bit for the environment,” added Chaurasiya.