The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Plastic manufacturers urged to reclaim goods for recycling

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Sunday, Jun 29, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Plastic manufacturers urged to reclaim goods for recycling

Staff Reporter

Civic body chief holds preliminary meeting; modalities to be worked out later

— Photo: R. Ravindran

GREEN INITIATIVE: Pulianthope zone chairman M.Kanniappan distributes pamphlets on source segregation to members of SHGs and voluntary organisations on Saturday.

Chennai: The Chennai Corporation on Saturday held discussions with plastic manufacturers to encourage them to reclaim their used plastic goods for recycling.

Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni met representatives of the plastic and packaging industry to discuss ‘extended producer responsibility’, a system in which the producer is responsible for recycling or safe disposal of goods after use. The meeting was a preliminary one and modalities would be worked out later.

Extended producer responsibility is a concept that is popular in several countries. The system requires that producers either take back used products and manage them through reuse or recycling, or delegate the responsibility to a third party. Such ‘take back’ mechanisms create a strong incentive for producers to manufacture goods that are recyclable. For example, manufacturers of PET bottles could crush the containers and recycle the plastic to make other goods.

Representatives from Chennai Plastic Manufacturers and Merchants Association, Tamil Nadu Drinking Water Manufacturers Association, Aavin and ITC Limited participated in the meeting.

Awareness drive

The Corporation has been urging city residents to separate green waste from other household waste in order to reduce pressure on the city’s garbage dumps. Solid waste is cleared by the Corporation in six zones in the city while private firm Neel Metal Fanalca (NMF) handles waste in four zones.

NMF held an awareness programme on source segregation for members of self help groups and non-governmental organisations in Pulianthope zone. About 85 members participated. They would, in turn, spread the word among the general public. Pamphlets on source segregation were distributed. Chennai Corporation Deputy Commissioner (Health) R. Ananda Kumar and Pulianthope zone chairman M. Kanniappan also participated in the programme.

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