Promotion

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.

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.

Promotion

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.

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