Kochi solid waste management: Experts skeptical of Japanese technologies

KOCHI: The city corporation has given a red carpet welcome to a Japanese delegation that offered a long-term solution to knotty solid waste management troubling it for long. A six-member delegation including experts from various sectors visited mayor Soumini Jain and made a presentation for corporators on Tuesday. But the model they presented doesn't address the issue of non-biodegradable waste which amounts to more than 40 percent of the total garbage generated in the city.

Some civic experts are also skeptical about experimenting with new technologies while the state government and the corporation have already initiated steps for a modern waste-to-energy plant at Brahmapuram. Though Opposition leader K.J. Antony raised several questions on its feasibility, the delegation failed to answer many. The Sanko Company Limited, which is proposed to set up the plant, has no successful models anywhere in India either.

The Japanese delegation informed the mayor that if they get permission to conduct a feasibility study and set up a pilot plant, they are ready to operate it for a period of three years. "Unlike the anaerobic process currently followed at Brahmapuram, the Japanese will introduce aerobic fermentation technology through which the segregated garbage get converted into high-quality compost in 10 to 15 days. There will be no leachate or odour during the process, they claim.

"We need only 15 cents of land, two operators and electricity for running the facility. The system can be set up in the city and can reduce transportation cost," said Masaru Tanaka, president of Research Institute of Solid Waste Management Engineering. "We'll present the proposal to the council for discussions and approval," said Ms Jain.