Kerala: Power, fertilizer from waste

KALPETTA: The decades-old issue of waste management would be a thing of the past for Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad. The municipality is installing a waste management unit that produces 1200 units of electricity, 300 kg of bio-fertiliser and 4,000 litres of liquid fertiliser per day. The civic body has the right to the profit from the sale of all the products. Thiruvananthapuram-based Didask is implementing the project, and the most beautiful part of the story is that this conversion worth Rs 4 crore will be realised without any financial burden to the municipality.

Moreover, there would be a park and cafeteria in the waste processing unit which ensures hundred percent pollution-free processing. Municipal chairman C.K. Sahadevan said the processing unit would focus on cent percent cleanliness. “For the last many decades we have been following a crude form of waste management. Collecting the waste with all the filth and stench and transporting it openly emanating stench through the city to Karuvallikkunnu and then, burning it without any concern for nature, in a crude way sending tonnes of lethal poisons into the air," he told DC.

“Now with the implantation of the project, from the collection of waste to conversion into energy and fertilisers, the process would be eco-friendly. The waste collection would be through closed boxes instead of the present method of dumping in tractors. Moreover, smart cards would be issued to all those who supply waste.” The agreement with the company is for 15 years. After that, the municipal body can either take over the project or extend the contract period. Minister for local administration, K.T. Jaleel, inaugurated the project recently.