KOZHIKODE: Kozhikode collectorate has set a model for the remaining civil stations in the state by becoming the first one to adopt the zero-waste management initiative 'Mr Clean project' on its premises to put an end to the existing waste menace in the collectorate compound.
Considered to be first-of-its-kind venture in the entire state, the district administration with the help of Niravu Vengeri has set up zero-waste disposal mechanism utilizing the MLA fund allotted by A Pradeep Kumar MLA. A sum of Rs 5.38 lakh has been spent to set up the waste disposal system at the compound. Of the Rs 5.38 lakh, the MLA already allotted Rs 5 lakh fund Vadakara-based Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society has constructed a yard for the storage, segregation of degradable and non-degradable waste and disposal of waste. Four aero bins, each having the capacity to dispose one tonne of waste, have been set up on the yard for the disposal of generated food waste at the collectorate . The generated manure will be used for the organic farming and gardening at the collectorate.
Under the scheme, two waste bins each will be placed in the office premises of various government departments spread on the civil station compound. The officials and public needs to put the degradable waste into green bins and plastic and paper into the red bins. The cleaning staff will collect the waste bins on daily basis in the afternoon for the disposal. Around 40 part-time cleaning workers are already there at the collectorate and two workers were exclusively appointed at the yard for the segregation and disposal of waste. Littering in public places is also banned at the collectorate. Monthly monitoring will be held to assess the review of the project. The district administration will also provide prizes to departments and individuals who keep their department clean.
M M Suresh, secretary, Revenue Recreation Club, collectorate said that the staff working at the various government departments and public approaching for various works will be asked to put plastic, food waste and papers into the separate bins kept at each departments.
Babu Parambath, Niravu Zero waste project coordinator, said that the project has become a reality due to the keen interest shown by the collector during the series of discussions held with collector. "The NSS volunteers of Providence women's college along with collectorate staff commenced the cleaning drive three months ago in a phased manner as part of the project execution. Niravu will run the project for a year and will be handed over to the district administration after that Nirvau already imparted training to staff in segregating degradable and non-degradable. The food waste will be converted into manure. The produced manure will be used to cultivate banana and vegetables on the civil station compound,'' he said. "The collected plastic being transported to recycling plant in the neighboring states for recycling. Around a load of plastic waste collected by the staff is transported to recycling plant on Friday,'' he said.
Author: The Times of India
