Date:24/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/24/stories/2008112458650400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

‘Zero Waste Management Centre’ to be opened soon

Staff Reporter

It will convert solid waste into manure

— Photo: V.Ganesan

ECO-FRIENDLY: Residents at the training session on solid waste management by Exnora Innovators Club Nungambakkam on Sunday.

CHENNAI: Exnora Innovators Club with the support of the Corporation of Chennai will put into operation a ‘Zero Waste Management Centre’ in the city. The structure being built on the premises of the Independence Day Park in Nungambakkam at the cost of Rs.7 lakhs will be inaugurated soon.

This ‘Zero Waste Management Centre’ to convert the solid waste into manure will use earthworms from Africa.

Workers of Exnora Innovators Club will collect the residential waste from the houses directly after segregation. The dumping of garbage on 20 roads in the vicinity will be prevented if the initiative becomes successful.

The club has started creating awareness among residents of the locality as their support is crucial. There was a demonstration on solid waste management in Nungambakkam on Sunday.

“The centre was created in response to the need to process urban solid waste quickly and inexpensively,” M.Chidambaram, General Secretary, Exnora International.

“Our initiative is unique because we employ a low tech, efficient sorting system,” G.Palani, General Secretary, Exnora Innovators Club, Nungambakkam.

The system installed in the park will produce nutrient rich organic compost without creating offensive odours. The composting process involves Vermiculture.

The structure will have the capacity to handle residential waste of 999 houses in the vicinity. This is expected to provide manure to the park and compliment the natural assets and resources of the park.

“This is a proven process to reduce the total quantity of garbage generated in the city,” said G.Vijayalakshmi, President, Exnora Innovators Club, Nungambakkam.

Through composting and organic conversion with the installation of more zero waste management centres in other parts of the city, Exnora is planning to convert solid waste materials into by-products that support and promote sustainable development.