Plastic waste removal in Kochi hit

KOCHI: Removal of non-biodegradable waste from the city areas has been partially hit with the city corporation asking health workers not to transport plastic garbage to the Brahmapuram solid waste treatment plant. As the Brahmapuram yard has been filled with huge piles of plastic waste, the trucks can't enter the site, said V.K Minimol, health standing committee chairperson. "We've asked the health workers not to collect plastic waste for the next four to five days. Within the time, the plastic heaps can be cleared using earth movers. The restriction will be only for a couple of days," she said.

On average, 300 tonnes of garbage is being transported to Brahmapuram of which 70 to 90 tonnes are non-biodegradable refuse. "With such a huge quantity of plastic waste is dumped every day, it is unable to scientifically process it. After the onset of monsoon, clearing of waste from the dumping area has become difficult and the trucks can't enter the yard. Once, the area is partially cleared, the restriction will be lifted," she said.

Meanwhile, CPM councillor V.P. Chandran, who is also a member of health standing committee, told DC that curbs on the removal of plastic garbage are going to affect city areas very badly. "Even now, waste removal from certain areas is not regular. Piling up of 70 tonnes of plastic waste in the city for four or five days will be disastrous, as people will start throwing it in public places. The situation will be worse in hotels and commercial firms," he said.

The health standing committee members are visiting the plant on Tuesday to assess the situation. At the same time, the plastic waste shredding unit of Clean Kerala Company at the Brahmapuram yard is defunct. The machinery at the shredding unit, which was capable of washing and shredding nearly five tonnes of plastic per day, has become unusable.