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Hotels use technology to get manure from waste

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The Hindu          07.12.2017 

Hotels use technology to get manure from waste

K. Thirupathi of Madurai District Hoteliers Association explaining the composting process in Madurai.Photo: R. AshokR_ASHOK  

Composting under the new project to begin soon

With Corporation Commissioner S. Aneesh Sekhar giving hotels, theatre complexes and marriage halls only two weeks to begin recycling their waste, some organisations have come up with novel ways to deal with garbage.

A total of 30 hotels have signed up with the Madurai District Hoteliers Association to begin composting through a project called ‘Smart Clean Green Madurai.’

The association has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Madurai Corporation to boost waste management process. Many businesses are still grappling with the process of waste segregation, according to K. Thirupathi, project head of the initiative.

The plant located at Pazhathottam near Sigaganga Road, which will will start functioning soon, uses high-tech accelerated composting technology. An organic shredder will break down biodegradable waste into smaller particles. A composting machine, with a conveyor belt, where finer plastic particles can be removed manually and an ‘organic slurry machine’ form part of the plant.

The waste will be loaded onto the conveyor belt and workers will segregate small plastic items. The approved junk will be converted into fine black particles and released into a long composting pit and nature will take its course.

Every 21 days, 15 to 18 % of biodegradable waste will become fine organically enriched manure that can be used to grow vegetables and fruits on 5.5 acres of land. Twelve varieties of vegetables and 15 varieties of fruits, along with greens, have been planned on this plot. The aim is to collect 10 tonnes of garbage from hotels and marriage halls everyday. “We make use of the largely wasted coconut water as a micro-nutrient, a medium for micro-organisms and as a source of potash,” says Mr. Thirupathi.

The cost of the machinery, Rs. 55 lakh, has been borne by the Corporation and Mr. Thirupathi’s KT Greens India. Workers will be deputed to pick up segregated garbage from hotels and bring the waste to the yard so that hoteliers can be at ease. The project aims to provide employment to at least 14 people. It is set to roll out in two weeks.

Other organisations are stepping in to be part of the initiative. GRT Regency has a composting machine that processes over 100 kg of waste a day. According to the Chief Engineer Gopal, 70 kg of manure is produced at the end of the week and sold to local farmers.

According to an official, bulk waste generators producing over 100 kg of waste a day can use different composting methods.

Those wanting to sell the manure can register with ‘Mobile Fertiliser Management System.’This is open to housing associations and residential apartments with over 5,000 square feet of land too.

For details regarding the composting process, call Madurai Corporation or Mr. Thirupathi at 98942 33331.