City-based youth organisation using microplastics to develop roads with GVMC’s help

  • | Monday | 18th March, 2019

Around 4 tonnes of chits can be generated from 5.5 tonnes of microplastics. After the collection and segregation of microplastics these are processed in the machines for cleaning and made into small chits. We have only managed to collect 5.5 tonnes of microplastic since we started the recycling unit in August 2018. “The chits in turn are sold at Rs 20/kg to GVMC or National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for laying roads. We have set a target of collecting six tonnes of microplastic in April, 2019.

Visakhapatnam: In order to raise awareness about segregating harmful microplastics, a city-based youth organisation is collecting microplastics from households and recycling those to be used for laying roads with the help of GVMC While there is some level of awareness about macroplastics such as bottles of water and aerated drinks made from plastic or packets, glasses and containers, microplastics go unchecked in the soil or waterbodies and have a harmful impact on the environment. Awareness among public about small plastic sachets or pieces is very low and waste segregation needs to be implemented at the household level.Y Appala Reddy, president of India Youth for Society (IYFS), the organisation recycling microplastics at the Kapuluppada dumping yard said, “We are trying to raise awareness among the public to segregate and handover household microplastics such as chocolate wrappers or shampoo sachets. Our volunteers visit households every Tuesday and Friday to collect these. Unfortunately, the response is not adequate. We have only managed to collect 5.5 tonnes of microplastic since we started the recycling unit in August 2018. We have set a target of collecting six tonnes of microplastic in April, 2019. The GVMC should make a sustained effort to ensure that microplastics are segregated at the household level and handed over to sanitary workers who come to collect the waste.”The microplastic recycling unit at the dumping yard has three machines, two of which had been provided by GVMC. After the collection and segregation of microplastics these are processed in the machines for cleaning and made into small chits. “The chits in turn are sold at Rs 20/kg to GVMC or National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for laying roads. Around 4 tonnes of chits can be generated from 5.5 tonnes of microplastics. NHAI has shown an interest in buying the chits for construction of the Pendurthy-Anakapalle road,” said treasurer, IYFS M Jagdish.He added that the public can call 9491419797 and handover microplastics to IYFS volunteers.

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