Goa's remote municipality shows way for plastic waste disposal

The non-recyclable plastic waste in Goa will now become a source to generate fuel, thanks to an initiative of state's one of the most rural municipal councils at Pernem.
Pernem Municipal Council has entered into an agreement with a Tamil Nadu based firm, M K Aeromatics, to set up a plant that will generate furnace oil, met coke and wax from the non-recyclable plastic that is usually strewn on the roads.
"The municipal council has entered into revenue sharing agreement with the company. The plant would be set up in the garbage disposal dump of Pernem municipal council," said council chairman Vasudev Deshprabhu.

He said the plant, which costs around Rs 23 crore, would be spread across 8,000 square metres.
With the capacity to treat 10 tons of plastic daily, it will generate 6.7 tons of furnace oil, three tons of met coke and 500 kgs of wax, he said.
Goa State Pollution Control board (GSPCB) yesterday gave its nod for setting up the plant, while it is awaiting approval from the state Town and Country Planning department.

GSPCB Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha said the state generates 23 tons of plastic waste, of which 30 per cent is non-recyclable and can be sent for the plant in Pernem.

"This will help us to keep Goa clean at least from the plastic garbage," he said.
Located in North Goa, the plant is also expected to cater to neighbouring Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra.