Azhiyur shows way

Kozhikode: Azhiyur gram panchayat (GP) tops the 941 GPs in the state supplying shredded plastics, doing 13,000 kg in the last six months. 

Among the LSG institutions, Kochi Corporation tops the chart with selling 27,300 kg, followed by Thiruvananthapuram, 19,162 kg and Azhiyur is the third. 

The shredded plastic used in road asphalt works is sold to Clean Kerala Company Limited (CKCL) from where LSGs buy it for roadworks. 

"We have earned Rs 50,000 as revenue from it. CKCL will provide Rs 15 per kg of plastic," says T. Shahul Hameed, Azhiyur gram panchayat secretary. 

The plastic collected from the households of 18 wards of the panchayat is sorted out, cleaned and sent to the shredding unit. "We have a 15-member Haritha Sena for the purpose. Besides, shredding is the solution to the perennial problem of plastic waste disposal," he elaborates. 

Haritha Sena member Shini A. says that close to 500 kg of plastic is being collected from houses and shops daily and the shredding unit can crush 300 kg a day. 

The panchayat has set a target of earning Rs 2 lakh in the new fiscal selling plastic. According to CKCL senior assistant manager Mujeeb K., Azhiyur is the lone LSG in the district where shredding unit functions properly. 

"Though Kozhikode Corporation has set aside funds for five units, nothing went operational. A new unit is all set to commence functioning at West Hill," he said.

The plastic from Azhiyur is mainly used in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. 
District collector U.V. Jose has appreciated the effort of the Azhiyur gram panchayat, and the panchayat authorities are planning to honour the Haritha Sena members for the fete.