District to convert plastic waste into furnace oil
Published: 05th November 2012 09:24 AM | Last Updated: 05th November 2012 09:24 AM | A+A A-
The district panchayat has come up with a solution for the waste disposal woes of every household, especially plastic waste. It aims to set up a plant on 90 cents of land and convert the plastic waste into furnace oil. The project will be implemented with private participation.
“We hope to resolve the plastic waste disposal issue by setting up a plant in 90 cents of land. We are planning to implement project with Browns n Whites, a Kakkanad-based firm. We have submitted the project to the government and have sought the required land for the purpose,” said district panchayat president Eldhose Kunnappillil.
The plastic waste which poses a threat to environment is hardly being disposed of in scientific ways. Both plastic and rubber waste can be processed in the plant. Browns n Whites aims to use the pyrolysis technology to convert the waste into furnace oil.
“The plant will have a capacity to process 10 tonnes of waste per day, both rubber and plastic. We can generate 5000 litres of furnace oil from 10 tonnes of rubber waste and about 6000 litres of oil from the same quantity of plastic waste,” said Philip Kunnath of Browns n Whites.
The other residues are hydrocarbon gas and carbon ash powder. “About 2000 kg of hydrocarbon gas that is generated will be used for enegry needs of the plant and the carbon ash will be sold to brick and cement industries,” he said.
The German technology is being used across the globe to dispose of plastic waste and has been found to be effective in Hyderabad and Chennai as it is very green-friendly. It will cost about Rs 3.5 crore for building and installation.
“If 90 cents of land is given on lease for 10 years and power as per MSME norms we can set up the plant in five months’ time,” said Philip.
The waste will be collected from each household and other areas through Kudumbashree and dumped into the dumping yard of the respective municipality. Whites n Browns will collect the waste from the municipality and pay them if required. It will be cleaned and processed.
The firm has agreed to pay a nominal amount of Rs 1.5 per kg of waste. Some municipalities have agreed to give it free of cost.
“This is our first venture. When we saw plastic waste strewn all over we thought of taking up the project and have submitted it to the District Collector,” said Philip.
District Collector Sheik Pareeth said that he was waiting for environmental clearance.
“The project has been submitted for environmental impact assessment to the Pollution Control Board. As soon as it is approved, the land will be earmarked for the project,” said the Collector.