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.