Chennai
The women, from Naganakulam Panchayat in Madurai district, claimed that they have been running a plant to recycle plastic covers since 2012 and the plant has the capacity to produce about 100 tonnes of recycled plastic waste every year. If there is a demand, the production could be stepped up further, they said.
Valarmathi, Coordinator of the women’s group, claimed that using the recycled plastic, Madurai Corporation can lay quality roads for 20 km every year. The main use of the recycled plastic waste is that they could be used in laying roads, as is being done in some foreign countries, like the Netherlands. If the roads are laid with recycled plastic, they would be strong and their life would be extended. However, regular contractors may not be too keen on using recycled plastic to lay roads, they said.
Though they have submitted applications repeatedly to DRDA, demanding that officials use plastic in laying roads, their applications have not been processed and officials failed to give due attention to their demands., they alleged.
They are recycling plastics with the aim to protect the environment. When plastic is dumped in the ground, it would be harmful to the environment as plastic takes years to degrade. Today, use of plastic in one form or the other is common in everyone’s life. To reduce their impact, the government and dis trict administration should encourage people who are involved in the business of recycling plastic, the women said.
The district administration too should direct the road contractors to procure recycled plastic from them, said Valarmathi.
Ten women from self- help groups and Pavalamalli group are involved in the recycling process. At present, they have eight tonnes of plastic waste accumulated in their workshed, hampering their recycling process. Moreover, snakes and insects had taken refuge in the waste and hence it should be cleared at the earliest, said the women. Pointing out that while their income had stagnated, they still had to pay the electricity bill, rent for the building and wages to the women employees, the women appealed to the district administration to direct the road contractors to procure the plastic.. “If the roads are laid using plastic, the need of both—society and the women—would be met,” claimed Valarmathi.
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