Cement from solid waste: BMC shows the way

By Sunil Patnaik (The Telegraph) BERHAMPUR: The Berhampur Municipal Corporation today sent its first consignment of non-degradable waste materials like disposed water bottles, polythene and other waste to a cement factory in Bargarh district.   Everyday the corporation is collecting nearly 150 tonnes of solid waste from the town. Bulk of the non-degradable waste consists of polythene and plastics. “We have collected 81 bags of plastic waste materials within a fortnight,” commissioner Bhim Manseth said. “Disposal of the non-degradable waste is a major issue as such materials cause pollution. We were worried about this. A cement manufacturing company has decided to process the non-degradable waste materials to make cement. The company entered into an agreement with the corporation to take non-degradable waste materials from the civic body. The agreement was formalised with the company in consultation with the Orissa State Pollution Control Board,” the commissioner said.  The corporation, however, would not get anything in return from the company for supplying the waste, he said. “For us, it’s a major achievement that we would be able to dispose of the waste,” he said. “It’s a big step in our efforts for effective solid waste management,” said mayor Siba Shankar Das. Proper disposal of the non-degradable waste is a cause of concern for the corporation, though the civic body has already prohibited sale and manufacture of the polythene-packed water pouches in the municipality areas. The cost towards transportation of the items to Bargarh would be borne from the sold waste management funds, the commissioner said. The non-degradable materials would be separated from the wastes that are collected from streets and houses by the corporation workers.