The Kozhikode Municipal Corporation’s plastic recycling unit at West Hill was reopened on Tuesday by Minister for Local-Self Government K.T. Jaleel. The unit, which had been in a state of disuse for many years, will now be managed by Niravu Farmers’ Production Company for at least three years.
The old recycling plant has been renovated and a new sorting shed has been set up on the premises. But for one, all the machinery has been replaced by Niravu.
As per the memorandum of understanding signed between the Corporation and Niravu, the company has to pay a monthly rent of ₹30,000 to the Corporation and process all the non-biodegradable waste from all the 75 wards of the Corporation. The company has to pay the monthly electricity bill that amounts to around ₹1 lakh and appoint required number of staff. The company will have the right to sell byproducts.
On the other hand, the Corporation has the responsibility to collect non-biodegradable waste from wards and supply to Niravu. The recently formed ‘Haritha Karma Sena’ will play a major role in the process.
Corporation Health Standing Committee chairman K.V. Baburaj said that the Sena was formed using 110 members from the Kudumbasree waste management unit.
The Sena members have been trained to provide tips for source-level waste management, and provide necessary equipment to residents. They will collect plastic waste periodically, and also biodegradable waste if necessary.
However, the present strength of the Sena can only cater to around 20 wards of the Corporation. More persons from the Kudumbasree waste management unit would be incorporated into the Sena in the next financial year, Mr. Baburaj said.
Meanwhile, residents’ associations have been directed to collect waste from houses under them and supply to Niravu. Niravu would charge a nominal amount for non- biodegradable waste other than plastic, he said.
The plastic recycling unit at West Hill had the capacity to recycle two tonnes of plastic every day in one shift, said Project Coordinator of Niravu Babu Parambath. “We can handle more load by running another shift if needed,” he said.
