BENGALURU: Tonnes of illegal flex banners, seized by BBMP in its recent drive, is currently lying idle and a large quantity has already made their way into the landfills and stormwater drains, thereby polluting the environment. As they are made up of soft poly vinyl chloride (PVC), these flex banners cannot be burnt due to its chlorine content. However students of CMRIT have come up with a viable solution for recycling of flex banners, by creating value-added products such as bags, raincoats, covers, ropes, envelopes, chappals etc.
They have a patented mechanism which utilizes polymeric material placed between the flex banner layers and sealed with the help of marginal heat which will form bonds with other polymer wastes. Prof Phani Kumar Pullela, Faculty of Innovation and Entrepreneur Cell of CMRIT told Deccan Chronicle, "Tonnes of flex banners are seized by the civic body and are lying idle as they do not know have a viable option. CMRIT with the help of Greenhood Technologies Pvt Ltd has got a patented technology which will help recycle these banners and convert them into daily use products, which could be bought at affordable rates. We have products that cost as less as Rs 10."
These products are sturdy, water-resistant and capable of carrying heavy loads. It comes with high tensile strength and can be used in packaging industry, construction, agriculture, Prof Phani said. He pointed out that nearly two crore package materials despatched from online retailers are turning out to be menace and the flex products can certainly replace them. He added that this will reduce the burden on environment and help recycle flex banners, which would otherwise end up in as a pollutant.
Apart from saving the environment, Prof Phani felt if recycling flex is taken up commercially it shall create at least 800 jobs for the rural people and help them earn Rs 20,000 a month for a minimum of two years. "With just one-day orientation program the interested rural candidate can be guided to make the products with the help our technology," he said. Prof Phani added that they have participated in the state government's 'Elevate 100' (which supports best projects with funding) and was confident that their project will be selected.
Solid waste management expert Ram Prasad insisted that the BBMP should hand over the seized flex banners to the students of CMRIT, who shall convert them into daily usage products and also create jobs. However, a top BBMP official opined that these products will anyhow reach the landfills after they are used by the people. He maintained that the seized banners are being shredded and supplied to boilers at large industries.
