Times News Network
Varanasi: In a unique initiative to free the city from plastic, a plastic waste bank has been opened under PPE model in the city. At this waste bank, one can bring waste plastic bottles or other waste materials to exchange them with money. The collected plastic waste is then sent for recycling.
The plastic waste bank is being run on public-private engagement (PPE) model by KGN company in Maldahiya locality under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
According to the municipal commissioner Gaurang Rathi, a plant of 10 MT capacity has been established in Ashapur area, and about 150 ‘safai mitras’ are engaged in plastic waste management. Though there is a ban on the use of polythene in the city, the tetra packs and water bottles are in use, which are disposed here for recycling.
KGN Director Sabir Ali said that nearly two tons of plastic waste is generated every day in the city. The plastic waste is collected by the volunteers of the bank. The people also deposit the plastic waste. This bank involves transactions through plastic waste. If the quantity is less, then an individual is given a cloth bag or face mask in lieu of that plastic waste. On bringing a larger quantity of plastic waste, money is given to the people depending on weight of the waste.
Ali said, the used drinking water bottles are purchased at the rate of Rs 25 per kg while plastic buckets, cans, mugs are purchased at Rs 10 per kg. The bank also takes waste like cardboard for recycling. The plastic waste collected in this bank is deposited at the Ashapur plant, where the plastic waste is separated. The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles are pressed with a hydraulic machine and collected in the form of bundles which are sent to other places for further processing and recycling.