Shredding centres to reduce garbage going to landfills

According to a Chennai Corporation engineer, the first shredding centre was opened at Kilpauk near Gengu Reddy Subway nearly a month ago and the second centre was opened at Kodambakkam 10 days ago.

“We are collecting coconut husk and garden waste from several parts of the city and shred them into pellets. These pellets can be used as an alternative for firewood in industries,” he added.

Apart from shredding garden waste and coconut husk, the centres also shred wet waste (kitchen waste), which are being composed inside the facilities. The cost of one shredder machine is about Rs 11.75 Lakh and it could process around 2.25 tonnes of waste including 1 tonne of wet waste per shift.

“The civic body itself runs the shredding centres with Corporation employees. The shredding capacity of the machines can be increased if they run for additional shifts. Garden waste segregated at resource recovery centres (RRC) is also being shredded at the centres,” he said.

Meanwhile, a private company has taken more than 1 tonne of shredded coconut husk and garden waste to use as alternate for fuel.

“If they are satisfied with the result, they will procure the pellets for money. The shredding centres, apart from reducing the waste sent to dumping yard, will also earn us money. Our plan is to set up such centres in several parts of the city,” the engineer added.