After schools, colleges, and many residential forums in the district, a highflying customer — Calicut International Airport, Karipur — has adopted the waste management method developed by Niravu Vengeri, a residential forum here.
Based on a consultancy agreement entered into by airport authorities and representatives of Niravu Vengeri a couple of months ago, arrangements, including construction of waste segregation sheds, biogas plant, and stocking yard, have been set up on 1.5 acres near the airport. “The work has almost been completed and waste processing has begun. Only the vegetable garden as part of the project is to be readied yet,” K. Peter Abraham, Airport Director, told The Hindu.
The management of waste, including plastic and organic, from the aircraft, airport canteens, and residential quarters, had remained a problem. He said the airport handled over 30 flights and dealt with 15 to 20,000 people, including passengers and visitors, daily. “We were left to manage about 400 to 500 kg of waste everyday,” he said.
Besides the environmental implications, the waste had also been attracting birds, including eagles, posing a threat to aircraft operations.
The operationsOnce Niravu took over as the consultant of the waste-management project, an action plan was prepared with the help of Babu Parambath, project coordinator of Niravu. The work started on December 9 and was completed on January 9 and the project was inaugurated on January 10. The waste from different divisions of the airport is brought to the yard and segregated at the sheds. Organic waste, including food residue, from the aircraft and canteens is converted into manure using ring compost.
The plastic waste, including bottles and bags, is separated and stored at the stocking yard to be sold periodically to recycling units. “Transportation cost can easily be met by selling the plastic waste,” says Mr. Parambath.
A small incinerator and a biogas plant set up at the yard are also part of the project.
Ashes as manureLightweight organic waste such as tissue paper and paper cover will be burnt and the ashes will be used as fertilizer for the garden to come up as part of the project.
The kitchen waste from the staff quarters of the airport will be brought to the biogas plant at the yard.
“Each resident will be given back their due share of biogas generated from the plant,” said Mr. Parambath.