CREDAI on a cleaning spree

KOCHI: In order to give a thrust to the Clean City Project, Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI), Kochi, is planning to implement an array of projects in the city. The agency has also plans to start a second plastic shredding unit in Kakkanad. At present, the recycling of plastic is done at the existing  plastic shredding unit in Ravipuram. The recycled plastic pellets from the plant are used for tarring roads. So far, more than 22 tonnes of plastic has been recycled and stacked for further use. “However, due to lack of co-operation from the PWD and Kochi Corporation, the endeavour has not been utilised fully,” said Joby Jacob, project executive, CREDAI.The project has already resulted in the successful re-tarring of four roads in the city - in Brahmapuram, Edapally, Manapattiparambu and Rajagiri campus. “The roads will be more durable because the plastic coating, called bitumen, fills air gaps and prevents damage to a considerable extent,” said Joby. Apart from enabling efficient recycling of plastic waste, this also helps in reducing maintenance cost. “Disputes with the PWD and conflicting interests of private players have become a major hindrance to the project.  A request has been made to the Corporation to include the provision to use plastic for the tarring of roads in the existing PWD manual but the decision is pending.”He said that after setting up a new unit, the agency is hopeful of taking the project to the next level. Joby said that the ‘Clean City Project’ became an authorised movement of the Corporation in 2009 and today, it helps recycle over 30 tonnes of waste per day. “Over 250 flats under this project use the bio-bin system launched by CREDAI. More than 3,000 houses fall under the purview of this project. Recognised as an NGO in 2011, CREDAI also extends its services for waste management in major spots in the city such as Marine Drive, Naval Base, Infopark and the Collectorate,” he said. “We plan to introduce an e-toilet system soon. We are also making efforts to create a suitable technique to manage e-waste in the city,” Joby said.