Solid answer: Enzymes to blow out stench

KOCHI: If all goes well, you won’t have to cover your nose when a garbage truck passes by, a few months from now. In an innovative venture, the Corporation plans to join hands with G J International (Kochi) and Caringfornature.com (UK), to use enzymes to eliminate the odour of bio-degradable waste in the city.A trial version of the project was inaugurated by health standing committee chairman T K Ashraf at the Padiyathukulam Automobile Workshop at Convent Junction here on Wednesday.The project is part of ‘Sanctify Cochin’ drive, an initiative of the Corporation to fix the perennial problems of waste management, canal stagnation and clogging contamination.“The enzymes used in the project are different formulations of plant enzymes.Therefore, they are completely biodegradable and won’t cause any environmental problems even if they get washed off in the rain.There are different enzyme combinations for different purposes, ranging from improving the quality of coal to purifying water,” said Abhilash Abel of C J International.“The project is the firstof- its-kind using patented enzyme formulations of ‘Caring for Nature’, dedicated to restoring eco-systems naturally,” he said.Ashraf noted that if the project is found to be a hit, the same will be implemented at the Brahmapuram waste treatment plant.There is also a proposal to use enzymes that speed up the decaying process to treat bio-degradable waste at Brahmapuram and produce electricity out of it.Steve John from the UK and France Warren from the US, both experts in the field, will also be assisting the Corporation in initial stages of the project.