From waste dumps to farms

Mayilsamy, who owns Aishwaryam Organics, is a dealer of compost, in Sulur.

He clears the waste from garbage dumps in Sulur, segregates bio-degradable and organic waste from non bio-degradable waste, and uses it to produce compost. “The process of recycling degradable waste is intense process and needs constant monitoring. It takes about 30 days.

Our company, which was started about two decades ago, clears around 400 tonnes of waste every month," he says.

He employs nearly 40 people who operate machines that help segregate waste. The compost is sold directly to farmers.

Having turned it into a profitable venture, Mr. Mayilsamy says that he plans to expand to Coimbatore.

It is high time we segregate waste at homes, before disposing it. “If kitchen waste is not separated from other waste, which has chemicals and other harmful pollutants like shampoo, dyes and soaps , it is not viable to be used as manure, after recycling,” added Mayilsamy. Compost is also used as erosion control, and helps increase the fertility of soil.