In a significant leap toward environmental sustainability, Indore is set to become the first city in India to establish a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model-based green waste processing plant under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban. This initiative aims to revolutionize waste management by converting green waste into valuable, eco-friendly resources.
The plant, built on 55,000 square feet of land in Bicholi Hapsi, will process green waste like wood, branches, leaves, and flowers, and generate revenue for the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), which will earn approximately Rs 3,000 per tonne in royalty for supplying wood and branches. The facility will recycle this green waste into wooden pellets, serving as a sustainable alternative to coal and contributing to energy conservation efforts.
Each day, the city of Indore generates around 30 tons of green waste, a figure that can rise to 60-70 tons during peak seasons like autumn. As part of the project, large tree branches will be redirected to the Green Waste Processing Plant at City Forest for repurposing into valuable products. Additionally, green waste from major institutions will be collected and sent to the facility, under a fixed fee structure.
Astronomical Industries Private Limited has partnered with the IMC to process this waste into sawdust, which will undergo a drying process over 3-4 months, reducing its moisture content by 90%. Once dried, the material will be processed into fine dust particles using cutting-edge machinery, transforming it into a resource for various industries.
The sawdust produced will serve multiple eco-friendly purposes, including being used as a cleaner alternative to traditional fuel sources, crafting durable packing materials to replace plastic, enhancing furniture manufacturing, and even producing biodegradable disposable plates for the food industry. Additionally, the sawdust will be used to create fertilizers that help enrich soil and promote healthier crops for farmers.
The IMC will play a critical role by providing land and transporting green waste to the facility, while Astronomical Industries will manage the installation, operation, and maintenance of the plant. Other private companies have also contributed to waste management in the city by setting up plants like Meghdoot and sub-grade facilities to process garden waste, as well as composting in municipal gardens.
The initiative is set to contribute significantly to improving waste management practices, reducing pollution, and controlling the Air Quality Index (AQI) by offering a sustainable alternative to coal.
