Musiri generates wealth from waste

Several innovative and eco-friendly measures are being adopted at the compost yard in Musiri.— Photo: B.Velankanni Raj
Several innovative and eco-friendly measures are being adopted at the compost yard in Musiri.— Photo: B.Velankanni Raj

60 to 70 tonnes of compost generated at yard every month

The Musiri town panchayat has adopted several innovative solid waste management measures at its compost yard in the town. Operation of eco-san toilet, planting thorn-less bamboo around the sprawling 4.17-acre yard, segregation of bio-degradable and non-degradable waste, and generation of vermicompost from waste are some of the salient features of the yard.

The town, with 18 wards, accounts for a daily collection of 10.75 tonnes of garbage of which nine tonnes is segregated as biodegradable waste. “We have mobilised the support of women self-help groups in collecting and segregating the garbage,” says B.Gunalan, executive officer of the town panchayat.

About 60 to 70 tonnes of compost is generated from the yard every month. There is good demand for the manure from the banana cultivators and betel vine growers of Musiri, he said.

The thorn-less bamboo planted on the yard serves to demarcate the boundary of the facility and acts as its compound.

Further, the plant species has the ability to absorb large volume of carbondioxide and hence helps in limiting the odour generated from the yard, he said.

The eco-san toilet at the yard helps in preparing compost, minimising use of water, and preventing pollution of groundwater, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Tiruchirapalli / by Special Corrrespondent / Tiruchirapalli – April 15th, 2015