Recycling Habba planned for municipal wastes

BANGALORE: Speaking at a workshop on ‘Co-processing of Wastes’ jointly organised by the Central Pollution Control Board and SINTEF, an independent research body located in Norway, A S Sadashivaiah, Chairman of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) announced plans to conduct a ‘Recycling Habba’ in the state from November 1 to 13 this year.This drive will aim at creating awareness on municipal waste management among the people and industries in the state.He accepted the fact that though Karnataka is one of the first states to start co-processing of waste, it has somehow fallen behind other states. “It is time for us to catch up. We must deliberate on all issues today,” he said while announcing that KSPCB will also start looking into the possibility of recycling municipal solid waste and would talk to cement manufacturers about the issue.The one-day workshop included three technical sessions, which discussed experiences, case studies and co-processing practices with regard to specific industries like cement, iron and steel and thermal power plants.Speaking after inaugurating the workshop, S P Gautam, Chairman, CPCB, stressed on the need for scientific classification of waste material in order to encourage co-processing. He also asked the state pollution control boards to create awareness about waste management among the people.Dr Kare Helge Karstensen, SINTEF, Norway, was also present.