Comments
Karnataka, which took the lead in adopting co-processing of waste, is now lagging behind many states in implementing it.
Speaking at a workshop on ‘Co-processing of waste in cement kilns, power plants and integrated iron and steel industry', Mr A.S. Sadashivaiah, Chairman Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), said “Karnataka was the first State to give permission to undertake co-processing in the country in 2003 by giving Grasim Cements (now Rajashree Cements) in Malkhed, Gulbarga. However, after that many states like Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan forged ahead in full scale implementation and we are somehow lagging behind.”
“We have realised this fact and now we need to catch up and forge ahead. May be we adopted the ‘slow and steady wins the race' case but it is high time we do it well with innovative and technology-led way,” he added.
The workshop is jointly organised by the KSPCB and GIZ-Germany with an aim of creating a forum for exchange of information among all the stakeholders involved in implementing the co-processing of waste, which will lead to better management of waste.
Industries
Karnataka has 11 cement industries, 10 coal-based power industries and one integrated steel industry which have potential to co-process waste.
“The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board initially issued authorisation to four cement companies to co-process hazardous waste and also non-hazardous waste such as old tyre and plastic waste. Now as on June 30, we have issued authorisation to 3,035 units,” said Mr Sadashivaiah.
Quantity
Based on the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board's authorisation issued, the estimated quantity of hazardous waste is as follows:
Recyclable/re-processable waste: 91,000 tonnes; incinerable waste: 33,000 tonnes; land-fillable waste: 35,000 tonnes.
Mr Sadashivaiah said “We have undertaken a need-based assessment study from the generators and from the cement kilns that undertake co-processing and found that there are some issues with regard to fees being charged for co-processing.”
“The cement kilns feel that they are doing a service and so they charge exorbitantly, the industries feel that they are helping the cement kilns by providing fuel and raw materials, so they do not want to pay and sometimes they feel they have to get paid for the service instead,” he added.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.