The BBMP may go slow on implementing segregation of waste at source
which was made mandatory. It is now planning a mixed-waste garbage
processing plant for Bangalore.

Addressing a press conference
after visiting the Hanjer Biotech Energies Pvt Ltd plant at Salem, Tamil
Nadu, Mayor B S Sathyanarayana said the plant in Salem took mixed waste
to generate compost as well as other byproducts like refuse-derived
fuel (RDF). The same technology will be put to use in the plant that
will be set up by the company in Bangalore in the next one-and-a-half
years.  “We will bring it to the notice of the Karnataka High Court. The
technology will help BBMP save money on setting up dry waste collection
centres and other segregation units,” he said.

The Mayor was
accompanied by District in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy, BBMP
Commissioner M Lakshminarayana as well as BBMP councillors and
officials. 

But Lakshminarayana seemed keen on implementing the
waste segregation rule. According to him, “Segregation at source will be
a long-term solution to the garbage crisis.”

The unit at Salem
converts waste into RDF (45 per cent), plastic ingots or granules (25-30
per cent), compost (6 per cent) and inerts (15 percent). The inerts are
dumped in landfills.

The company sells compost to fertilizer
dealers at Rs 120 per bag containing 50 kilo of compost, RDF to  power
manufacturing companies, plastic granules to cement and plastic
manufacturing companies.

BBMP has awarded a tender to this company
to set up a unit to process 800 tonnes of waste in Rajajinagar. Company
director Nadeem Furniturewala said they had already submitted plans and
were awaiting an approval from the civic agency.

“BBMP has to
build a compound wall around the land. It will take 12 months for us to
start the processing work and another six months to run it on trial,” he
said.