In an effort to reduce thin plastic waste in the city, the
Corporation of Chennai has announced a new initiative, in which the
public and conservancy workers will be given prizes for segregating thin
plastic wastes in their day to day garbage cleansing. The announcement
was made by Chennai Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy during a recent Corporation
council meeting.

During the question hour, one of the councillors
raised a question about the measures taken by the civic body prevent
the use of thin plastic waste as banning plastic products less than 40
microns seemed to have no effect on the population.

Responding to
the question, the Mayor said, “In order to segregate plastic waste less
than 40 microns, the Corporation has set up separate garbage bins in all
the wards. These thin plastic waste will be used to lay plastic roads”.

He
also added that the civic body had stated the importance of segregating
thin plastic waste in its budget report, as per the guidance of the
Chief Minister. “As a shot in the arm to the effort of segregating such
wastes, the general public and conservancy workers will be given prizes
on the basis of drawing of lots,” he said.

As a pilot process, the system will be implemented for first three months at a cost of `18 lakh.

A
total of 4,800 metric ton of waste is generated every day in the city.
According to the Solid Waste Management guide, plastic waste makes up 
for about six per cent of the total waste. Of this, thin plastic waste,
that is less than 40 microns makes up for two per cent. “So a total of
96 metric tons of thin plastic waste needs to be separated from the
overall waste generated in the city,” said the Corporation’s agenda.

Presently, 12 metric tons of shredded plastic is generated every week.