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Recycled paper bags distributed

Thursday, 27 August 2009 04:40
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The Hindu 27.08.2009

Recycled paper bags distributed

Staff Reporter

“Plastics not bio-degradable and hit groundwater table”

— Photo: S. Thanthoni

Eco-Friendly: Mayor M.Subramanian distributes paper bags made of recycled paper to shopkeepers on the Marina beach in Chennai on Wednesday.

CHENNAI: Close to 1,500 paper bags made from recycled paper were distributed by Mayor M. Subramanian at the Marina beach to spread awareness about the ‘plastics-free beach’ campaign on Wednesday.

The event was organised by Exnora International as part of its ‘99999 Lights out campaign’ which aims to generate public awareness about the causes, consequences and solutions of global warming.

Talking about the need for the plastic ban, Mr. Subramanian said “Plastics are not bio-degradable and also have the potential to seep into the ground water table. Banning plastics is essential because we owe the responsibility to leave a cleaner environment for the future generation.”

He said a meeting was organised after the ban, which came into force on August 15, in which hundreds of shopkeepers participated and gave assurances that they will do their bit to keep the beach a plastic free zone.

“The amount of plastic waste generated at the beach has dropped by close to 50 per cent. People who come to the beach still carry plastic bags and other items. There is need for more sensitisation,” he said.

According to him, the Rs. 17 crore beach beautification program which was coming to a close required responsible participation from the public also to maintain a clean environment.

Later briefing reporters, he said that a sand cleaning machine will soon be procured to keep the beach sands clean. The machine which costs Rs. 42 lakh will be used to remove cigarette butts, plastic cups, paper and other such waste from the sand, he said.

A spokesperson of Exnora said that about 40 per cent of landfill waste is composed of paper waste and it attributes to 1/4th of greenhouse gas emissions.

Hence using recycled paper has wider benefits beyond the reduction of plastic waste.

Last Updated on Thursday, 27 August 2009 04:41
 

Incineration system soon at Gummidipoondi

Thursday, 27 August 2009 04:23
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The Hindu 27.08.2009

Incineration system soon at Gummidipoondi

Special Correspondent

It will be introduced at the secured landfill site

— Photo: V. Ganesan

TACKLING HAZARDOUS WASTE: T.P.M. Mohideen Khan, Minister for Environment, with Debendranath Sarangi, Principal Secretary, Environment and Forests, at a workshop in Chennai on Wednesday.

CHENNAI: Incineration system will be introduced soon at the secured landfill site at Gummidipoondi, said R. Balakrishnan, Chairman, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), here on Wednesday.

Addressing a workshop on ‘Co-processing of hazardous wastes in cement kilns,’ organised by the TNPCB, Mr. Balakrishnan said the Rs.10-crore incineration facility would be ready in a month.

The secured landfill on a 20-acre plot was the first of its kind to treat, store and dispose of hazardous waste collected from various industries.

The facility inaugurated in January last year could handle up to one lakh tonnes of hazardous waste a year.

It was created mainly to avoid handling of hazardous waste by individuals and serve as a common facility to help industry.

Debendranath Sarangi, Principal Secretary, Environment and Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu, said the Centre was taking steps to strengthen Central and State pollution control boards by givin them more powers. Efforts were on to create regional environmental protection authorities.

T.P.M. Mohideen Khan, Minister for Environment, said the TNPCB had identified 2,655 industries generating hazardous waste to the tune of 3.14 lakh tonnes a year. Instead of dumping hazardous waste on the ground, the TNPCB was taking steps to identify ways to use them as fuel in the cement industry.

The Minister expressed concern over the increased generation of plastic waste. One of the cement manufacturers had agreed to use plastic waste as fuel. Such an effort by the cement industry would help in checking environmental pollution as well reduce fuel cost for industry.

Rajesh Lakhoni, Chennai Corporation Commissioner, and H.C. Sharatchandra, Chairman, Karnataka Pollution Control Board, participated.

Last Updated on Thursday, 27 August 2009 04:37
 

Notices for lifts without licence in city

Thursday, 27 August 2009 04:21
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The Hindu 27.08.2009

Notices for lifts without licence in city

K. Lakshmi

— Photo: S.S. Kumar

An official pasting a notice on a building.

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Electrical Inspectorate is serving notices on buildings in the city where lifts are being operated without licence.

An official of the Electrical Inspectorate said, “We have identified about 1,000 lifts, whose licences have not been renewed, and 500 that are being operated without licence. It is for the first time that such a drive is being conducted. Earlier, we placed advertisements in the media cautioning owners of such buildings,” the official said.

Nearly 40 notices have been put up in buildings, including residential structures, at K.K.Nagar, Virugambakkam, Kodambakkam and Ashok Nagar since Tuesday. According to the notice, lift owners are advised to operate the facility after obtaining licence under the Tamil Nadu Lifts Act 1997 within two months.

According to the official, there are nearly 7,000 licensed lifts in the city. Licences of only 30-40 per cent of lifts had been renewed. “We also carry out inspection of lifts in use for which permission have not been obtained based on petitions received by the department,” the official said.

As per the Tamil Nadu Lifts Act 1997, the defaulters would be levied a penalty up to Rs.1,000 and those who continue to flout the rules would have to pay Rs.50 for every additional day of use, another official said.

Last Updated on Thursday, 27 August 2009 04:22
 
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