Poojappura: Central Prisons unit to recycle plastic

Thiruvananthapuram: The central prison at Poojappura is on its way to become  the station of a green endeavour as Thiruvananthapuram corporation is in talks with the authorities to set up a plastic recycling unit here. Mayor V.K. Prasanth told DC that they proposed to set up of a resource recovery facility. “We are waiting for sanction from the prison,” he said. The prison authorities are likely to give the nod for the project, as it will help manage the huge amount of plastic waste generated on the campus. Moreover, it offers an opportunity for prison inmates to learn a livelihood skill. In addition to shredding machine, the corporation will be ready to set up other machines which turn plastic to value-added products, if the prison expresses an interest. The prison campus has enough  area to set up an RRC.

“It will be useful for Thiruvananthapuram residents as waste from the people can be brought here,” said Poojapura councillor B. Vijayalakshmi. Poojappura prison sup-erintendent S. Santhosh  said, “We are committed to supporting the corporation’s efforts in reducing plastic waste. The idea has been presented before the DGP. There doesn’t seem to be an issue in taking it forward,” he said. 

They have been struggling to manage the plastic waste here. Packets of wheat and other food ingredients used to make food for the inmates would constitute a huge proportion of the waste. For the prison’s ‘chappathi’ business, they end up buying 2-2.5 tonnes of polythene covers. Though the city banned plastic, prison management says that there have been difficulties in finding economic eco-friendly alternatives.  Five aerobic bins will be inaugurated at the prison soon. The corporation hopes to get sanction for unit by then.