Nation-wide collection of plastics
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has embarked upon a mission for utilising waste plastic in a big way in highway construction and have mobilized nearly 26,000 people across the country for spreading awareness on plastic waste management.
Over 61 thousand hours of shramdaan (charity) has been given to collect plastic waste. This has resulted in collection of nearly 18,000 kilograms of waste plastic throughout the country, said the Ministry on 1 Oct 2019.
Under the ‘Swachhta Hi Sewa’ (Cleaning Service) programme of the Government, it has undertaken awareness generation against use of plastic, through Swachhata Awareness Programme through rallies, putting up posters, banners, slogans, distribution of pamphlets at Toll Plazas and nearby Dhabas, and organizing painting, essay writing competitions in schools.
Awareness Programmes are being organised at Camp site, local community centres, publicity through FM Radio, cleaning of National Highways and collection of plastic waste, polythene bags, plastic bottles, cleaning up Toll Plazas, and organizing Swacchata Workshops for truck drivers and toll employees.
The ministry is discouraging the use of plastic water bottles, installing dustbins for collection of segregated waste, and is distributing clot and jute bags.
The Ministry is encouraging the use of waste plastic in highway construction, especially on National Highways within 50 km periphery of urban areas that have a population of 5 lakh or more.
A stretch of road has recently been constructed using waste plastic on NH-48 near Dhaula Kuan. A portion of Delhi- Meerut expressway and Gurugram- Sohna road have also been planned for construction, using plastic waste.
Plastic waste has already been used in wearing courses of National Highways construction on the pilot basis in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The technology used is in compliance with the guidelines of Indian Roads Congress for the use of waste plastic in Hot Bituminous Mixes in wearing courses.
Construction of 1 km of 4-lane highway can help in disposal of approximately 7 tonnes of waste plastic, said the Ministry. fiinews.com
