KOCHI: The North Paravur municipality in association with State Suchitwa Mission has initiated an intensive campaign to achieve the tag of zero-waste municipality. The civic body aims to have a sustainable waste management system in each household and institution by March 31. The initiative was formally launched by Mr V.D. Satheesan MLA at a function held on Friday. “The municipality, which has already implemented an effective and successful decentralised dry waste management system, will be made a role model for other civic bodies. All households and commercial institutions, especially meat shops and textile garments, will be brought under the scheme. At present, the municipality is earning Rs.1.30 lakh per month from the sale of compost manure made from organic waste,” said sources at the district Suchitwa Mission.
The municipality has 9,172 households and 48 per cent of them are enrolled for the programme under which segregated and clean dry waste is being collected for user fees of '30 per month. The municipal authorities have partnered with Planet Earth, a firm working for waste management concerns, for the programme. About 24 tonnes of dry waste is being processed for recycling in a month. “Big shops and shopping malls will be asked to take back the plastic carry bags from customers, collect and send them to the material recovery facility. Another proposal is to replace the plastic and synthetic pencil boxes used by students in all schools within the municipal area with eco-friendly materials,” sources added. A competition for hotels to set up kitchen gardens using organic manure from the waste generated will also be organised.
