‘Policy is the need of the hour’

“How long can we send our plastic to other States?” asks Kalpana Kar, member, Solid Waste ManagementExpert Committee of the BBMP. While neighbouring States house plastic-to-fuel plants, the concept is yet to fructify in Bengaluru.

“There is a need for support from the State in terms of setting up a recyclable park, economic incentive or creation of clusters to handle plastic … this needs to be formed now,” she said.

Ramani Nagarajan, a waste management consultant based in Sweden, believes a policy is needed to ensure segregation and reuse.

“In Sweden, there was first a campaign, and then a policy of segregation at homes. This was followed by cash incentives for returning plastic bottles which was borne by suppliers themselves. Finally, waste-to-energy plants were encouraged ... these plants generate nearly 15 MW now. Governments need to be proactive to put in place such policies,” he said.