Kerala Govt. Will Now Pay Residents for Plastic Waste and Recycle It to Make Roads. Brilliant!

In order to curb the increasing amount of plastic bags and other products disposed of in civic spaces across Kerala, the Clean Kerala Company will now collect shredded plastic from residents and municipality authorities for road construction. The Clean Kerala Company is an organisation formed under the State Local Self-Help Government and it has been involved in statewide waste management initiatives like converting solid waste to CNG, collecting and recycling e-waste, organising plastic collection drives, etc.

Products made of thermosetting plastic are often some of the most dangerous because they do not decompose and emit toxic fumes when burnt.

It is important to find a sustainable alternative to disposing  plastic, which is why the state government has issued orders appointing CKC as the nodal body for collecting  shredded/granulated plastic.

Source:By Marcello Casal Jr./Agência Brasil [CC BY 2.5 br], via Wikimedia Commons

Using plastic waste for laying roads reduces road fatigue and improves the quality of roads; they are more resistant to cold weather and rainfall. The entire process of creating the mixture to lay such roads is simple — the aggregate mix is heated at 165 degree Celsius and is transferred to the mixing chamber while bitumen is heated to 160 degrees Celsius. Shredded plastic waste of a particular size is added to the aggregate and is mixed with bitumen. The resulting mixture is used for laying roads.

According to reports, Kabeer. B. Harun, Managing Director of CKC said that the municipalities and residents can give away plastic products that have been passed through a shredding machine to CKC that will buy them for Rs. 15 per kilo.

The state government has also issued orders to every local body, directing them to use plastic in at least 10% of the roads laid in the areas under its jurisdiction. To lay these roads, contractors will have to approach CKC, which will then issue a supply order allowing them to purchase granulated plastic for Rs. 20 per kg.

According to the CKC website, it was formed with “the objective of ensuring hygiene management of the state through the adoption of innovative and scientific methods and proven technology, adhering to the concept of  active participation of the public and private sectors.”

Kabeer also told Manorama News that CKC has proposed to set up three recycling parks across Kerala in Kozhikode, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram.

To know more about CKC, visit their website.

Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: [email protected], or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on Whatsapp!

Similar Story

Want to Play a Role in Shaping India’s Climate Laws & Policies? Here’s a One-Stop Guide

Civis, a platform that enables citizens to participate in public consultations in the domain of environment and policy has released Climate Voices. This is a handbook and guide for Indians to participate in environmental law-making and play an active role in shaping our climate policies.

Read more >