KOZHIKODE: Azhiyoor grama panchayat near Vadakara is setting a role model in making revenue from the perennial menace of plastic. The panchayat has got an order to the tune of 1,000 kg to provide shredded plastic as a raw material for road tarring. “Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) has given the order through Clean Kerala Company,” said panchayat secretary T. Shahul Hameed. Clean Kerala Company Limited is an initiative of state government to ensure hygiene management. Besides, neighbouring grama panchayats, Onchiyam and Chorod, had also given orders.
Azhiyur panchayat has launched a 15-member Harithasena of women workers to collect plastic from households charging Rs 20 a call. The plastic thus collected is sorted and sent to the shredding unit. “We have plans to develop the shredding unit into a full-fledged one as per the availability of plastic waste and have an outlay of Rs 13 lakh for the process under the mini materials recovery facility (MRF). Another Rs 3.5 lakh will also be allotted for the purpose. The dream is to enhance it to a unit which can handle even e-waste,” Mr Hameed said.
The government decision to include shredded plastic in road tarring works carried out by public works department (PWD) has turned to be a boon for the panchayat. The officials are also planning to collaborate with Mahi Municipality to expand the programme.
