Study to focus on Pallikaranai and Kodungaiyur dumpyards
Students of IIT-Madras have undertaken a study to see how the city's garbage dumped at Pallikaranai and Kodungaiyur can be managed better.
Chennai: Students of IIT-Madras have undertaken a study to see how the city’s garbage dumped at Pallikaranai and Kodungaiyur can be managed better.
Though there are no clear reports about the kind of waste generated, the study focuses on finding out the type of wastes collected in Chennai, its standard, volume and whether it can be recycled or not.
In all, 5,000 tonnes of garbage is collected in the two dumpyards per day. Officials say the method of the garbage collection is fully through manpower using conservancy workers and source collection through door-to-door and segregation of wastes while collecting into degradable and non-degradable.
Sources say the waste lies scattered on about 250 acres in each site. The garbage pile-up measures 30 to 50 feet. The life expectancy of these sites is up to 2015.
Garbage collection at the two sites has reached a saturation point forcing officials to look for alternatives to manage the collected garbage.
An official in the solid waste management department of the Chennai corporation says, “The local body approached the IIT to conduct a study on the type of wastes that are gathered here and its standards to find out whether the garbage can be recycled or not.”
However, plastic wastes will not be mostly available from these dumpyards, as most of the ragpickers are found wandering at the sites the whole day to collect wastes that can be recycled. But, the real situation will be known only after the study report is released.
During the study, a big hole for a particular measurement will be put at several places in the garbage. Garbage collected at various levels will be taken out separately and its quality tested. This will reveal the standard of the waste and how it can be reused. Similarly, feasibility study for biomethane gas extraction will also be done, officials said.
Meanwhile, steps are on to begin bio-methanation plant at Athipattu in Ambattur, Velangadu and Otteri, to convert waste into power, they said.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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