Greens Dump Waste-to-Energy Plan

Chennai: It’s a simple choice, really, say environmentalists: Either spend as much as . 150 crore on a waste-to-energy plant that does not work and currently is being phased out in developed countries or use a fraction of the money to recycle and compost waste while providing employment to thousands of poor people.

Environmentalists and solid waste management researchers across the country are urging the Corporation of Chennai to immediately cancel its decision to install garbage incinerators at the Kodungaiyur and Perungudi dump yards.

Residents of Kodungaiyur will form a human chain on Monday as part of their protest against the plan. “This is to highlight the plight of those who live near the dumping yard and to appeal against the decision to set up incinerators,” said Dr P Nagarathinam, a resident of the locality. They hope the AIADMK government, which has been known for implementing grassroot solutions like rainwater harvesting, will consider other options.

Environmentalists say the waste-to-energy plant is not an ideal option. “The incinerators are very expensive and use outdated technology. Any attempt to cut costs is likely to result in more pollution in the future,” said Dharmesh Shah, who works with Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives.

A corporation resolution, passed on November 19 last year, claimed that waste would soon be segregated. Recyclable and biodegradable waste would be sent to certain industries, and residue would be shredded, converted into brick bats or pellets, which would be burnt in the incinerators. The heat derived would be converted into electricity.

Environmentalists say the system has not proved to be viable in India. “Most household waste like paper and plastics can be recycled. All organic waste (like food) can be composted. Only electronic, metallic waste and building debris will go into the incinerator. They have calorific values too low to burn on their own and will need to be incinerated with organic waste,” said environmental researcher Rajesh Rangarajan.

Activists say incinerators have been known to emit gases containing dioxins and hazardous nanoparticles into the atmosphere. Incinerator companies have even been dragged to court and shut down in the US and across Europe, they say.

“Waste pickers could sell the recyclable garbage to industries and compost the organic waste either in residential compounds or parks. They will earn an income and reduce the garbage being dumped at landfills by more than 40%,” said Nalini Shekhar, who runs Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat, an NGO of waste pickers in Pune.

Corporation officials say the proposal, though passed, has now only been sent to the government for approval, and add that they are open to new. “We have invited people to present their options and opinions,” said corporation commissioner P W C Davidar.