Multi-layered plastic collected from Vellingiri hills to turn value-added products

Plastic waste collected from Vellingiri hills ready for transportation near Poondi temple.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRAGEMENT

Multi-layered plastics (MLP) such as biscuit packets and chocolate covers discarded by people trekking the Vellingiri hills this season would be turned into value-added products like roofing sheets, covering sheets and paver blocks.

Coimbatore-based Recompose Recycling Private Limited has partnered with the Forest Department to collect and convert the MLP waste, which are very difficult to be recycled.

“MLP is the biggest threat in terms of pollution caused by plastics. They are hard to be recycled due to various factors, including poor source segregation. Hence, we convert them into value-added products like roofing sheets, covering sheets and paver blocks, after various processes,” said C. Prashanth, one of the founders of Recompose Recycling Private Limited.

According to him, a total of 2.25 tonnes of plastic waste collected from Vellingiri hills, since the beginning of this year’s pilgrimage season starting from February 1, has been moved to the company’s facilities for processing.

Mr. Prashanth and co-founder D. Saran Raj have planned to convert the MLP waste that are collected from the Vellingiri hills to be converted into value-added products that could be used to improve the facilities for pilgrims at the foothills, Poondi.

The company has already tied up with local bodies, apartments and industries for the collection of plastic wastes, including MLP. It also built bus waiting shelters made of MLP waste in Kittampalayam and Kaniyur village panchayats.

“Large quantities of plastic collected from Vellingiri hills are packaged drinking bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that are discarded by pilgrims. PET bottles can be recycled,” added Mr. Prashanth.

District Forest Officer N. Jayaraj said the Forest Department has taken various steps to reduce littering of plastic products on the Vellingiri hills. Pilgrims are allowed to carry packaged drinking water after paying a refundable sum of ₹20. They are not allowed to carry other single-use plastic products, including polythene bags.