Saturday, 02 December 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
With an aim to improve the disposal of plastic waste, the plastic recycling plant located in Haridwar will start operating in two weeks. Principal assistant in the directorate of Panchayati Raj, Yogesh Negi said that plastic waste is a significant contributor to environmental degradation in the State. In order to address this issue, the Panchayati ministry instructed the Panchayati Raj department to establish a common waste plastic recycling facility in Haridwar in 2017, he said.
He further informed that the department began construction work for the plant in December 2020, following the ministry’s directives. However, due to various reasons and the need for additional time to install the machinery, the plant’s operation has been delayed. He emphasised that the plant will commence its functioning in two weeks after thorough testing and verification of its operations.
“The government has allocated a sum of Rs 2.95 crore for the installation of a recycling plant. Plastic compactors have been installed in various villages of the state. These compactors will collect plastic waste, which will then be sent to the recycling plant to be processed into Plastwud. The government has provided the department with Rs 2.95 crore for the installation of the recycling plant, which has been constructed on a 0.3193 hectare land,” said Negi.
Negi further added that the facility is fully operational, it will have the capacity to recycle three tonnes of plastic waste per day. After undergoing a 30 per cent degradation process, 70 per cent of the plastic will be recycled with the help of additional chemicals. As a result, a production capacity of two tonnes of Plastwud will be achieved, from which an average of 80 cubic feet of Plastwud can be produced. The recycling plant aims to create employment opportunities and intends to sell the Plastwud to the general public, he said
