Mobile Resource Recovery Centers launched to propel dry waste management in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, February 16: Incited by the response to dry waste collection drives, the city corporation in Thiruvananthapuram will launch five mobile resource recovery centres (RRCs) modelled on mobile ATMs. This is a first of its kind initiative in the city.

The civic body has allotted over five trucks, which had not been in frequent use since the closure of centralized waste treatment facility at Vilappilsala, will be used for the project. These trucks, which were used for daily transportation of bio-degradable waste to Vilappilsala, will be redesigned to suit the purpose.

As per the design, it will have a counter, a collection cabin and a storage space. There will be seats affixed in the vehicle for the corporation staff. Five such trucks will be launched as mobile RRCs.

The main objective is to cover a major number of wards where people had remained inaccessible to collection drives. At present special collection drives are organized in 10 major points and often residents from less than 15 wards have been able to participate in the drives.

This Mobile RRC will enable the authorities to reach out to a larger section of the public who do not participate in dry waste collection drives. As per the plan, advance notice will be issued on the location where vehicle would be stationed for a day. The idea is to collect four kinds of dry waste on that day and this would be transported to our permanent RRC.

Propelling to the dry waste issues in the cities the authorities have taken various measures so that the people can segregate the waste. The initiative taken by the city corporation has created an environment where people are compelled to do things the civic body has ordered. The proposal, which was presented by the health committee, was approved in the council meeting on Thursday.

With the closure of waste treatment plant, corporation was forced to auction many trucks which had been used for waste collection. The new proposal to redesign the vehicles would also enable corporation to make sure that the remaining vehicles are not wasted away. The health wing has proposed Rs 6 lakh to be spent on redesigning each vehicle.