BMC ropes in firm to collect, recycle thermocol used in festive decorations

Upon processing, the thermocol will find a fresh leash of life in the form of photo frames, jewellery and other interior decorative materials.

While the civic bylaws call for segregation of all dry waste and maximum recycling, the BMC has no facility to recycle thermocol, which is a key component of dry waste, particularly during Ganeshotsav. It was with the objective of treating this waste during the ongoing festive season that the BMC roped in 5RCYCLE Foundation, an agency which carries out thermocol recycling.

Having roped in the agency, the civic body is now set to identify suitable locations across each ward, wherein citizens, housing societies as well as pandal committees can deposit their thermocol waste. From these locations, the agency 5RCYCLE will then collect the thermocol waste after the festival and then transport the generated waste to their recycling unit in Malad.

Tasked with the collection of thermocol waste until September 30, 5RCYCLE will recycle and process the thermocol at their treatment facility situated in Malad, following which it will furnish a report detailing the process with the civic body.

Ahead of the festivities, the agency has been directed to conduct volunteer staff training as well as coordinate with Ganpati pandals and housing societies to maximize awareness about the recycling drive.

A senior BMC official told The Indian Express that while the initiative is active in P/North ward in surrounding areas, the civic body is now preparing a list of designated spots across the wards where thermocol will be collected.

Smita Birkar, founder and director of 5NRECYCLE, said that following collection, the thermocol waste will be taken to their treatment plant in Malad for processing.

Explaining the mechanism, Birkar said, “Nearly 80 per cent of thermocol consists of air. Our facility in Malad has a melter compacting machine which removes the air and reduces the volume of thermocol by 90%. What is left behind is called ‘lump’, which we send to other units where they use it to make photo frames. Besides this, the recycled material is also used to make jewellery and other decorative household items.”

According to estimates, the city generates nearly 100 tonnes of thermocol waste monthly, while 5RECYCLE treats eight tonnes of thermocol each month.

“Alongside treatment, we are also aiming to create awareness among people that thermocol waste from packages, fish containers etc, which is generally discarded and considered useless, can be recycled,” added Birkar. Smita Birkar, founder and director of 5RCYCLE Foundation, said that following collection, the thermocol waste will be taken to their treatment plant in Malad for processing.