Hyderabad: A public shed at KPHB park, currently under construction, has been built out of the waste generated by the city. It took 800 kg of plastic waste to build the roof, 450 kg of tetra packs for the walls, around 60 kg covers for the false ceiling and 900 kg of polythene bags converted into 522 tiles. This room with 720 bamboo poles has been constructed on 5,000 square feet in Kukatpally by the GHMC for public utility at a cost of Rs 8 lakh. Nearly 10 lakh wasted polythene covers were used in construction, say the makers.
The GHMC has taken up construction of a 2-acre park located adjacent to the metro station, envisaged to encourage outdoor and indoor sports. The room made of plastic and bamboo is being built on the ground currently used for parking. The roof, walls and four washrooms have been completed, while the flooring is pending. Once completed, this will be converted into a shed with a reception.
Several companies buy plastic from GHMC (post-segregation of wet and dry waste by GHMC staffers) to recycle. This plastic is again bought by companies. Mr Prashant Lingam, founder of Bamboo House India, was given the job of construction. He explained, “Over 1,440 artisans worked on the project for two months.
It was difficult to collect the recycled plastic as vendors were not under one umbrella. Material for roof sheets, walls and titles had to be collected from numerous vendors and each of them charged differently. Much time was consumed in collecting and making the sheets and titles, while installation was done in no time. The flooring is pending.
The shed spread across 5000 square feet, is likely to be used as the KPHB Park office with four washrooms. Experts say the plastic used for the room can turn the air toxic, and it will be unhealthy to stay under the roof. There are four washrooms and two changing rooms, which is likely to witness public rush.
Biodiversity expert Prof. C. Srinivasulu, “It could be a toxic trap if the roof is not covered with a protective layer. Since the material used are polythene covers, the plastic will react with sunlight and produce vol-atile fumes toxic in nat-ure. It is unhealthy unless the roof is covered.”
