Disposal of Plastic Waste in Kerala

Project Abstract / Summary : We reside in an age which faces scarcity as one of the most immense problems. With our prolonged and magnified use of vehicles and contraptions which consume a lot of fossil fuels, that is where we face the largest of problems. As environment loyalists, we come to a point where recycling and reuse seem to be the only options to curtail our use and contribute to our cause of saving scarce crude oil for the future. But, there is also a problem in both of the above points as recycling becomes ineffective and inefficient after being performed more than 2-3 times, and reuse cannot be done due to the nature of the articles.
Most countries resort to burning or landfilling as means to disposal of plastic waste. But these methods contribute in large to pollution particularly air and land. Landfilling induces chemical leaching that affects the ecosystem. While burning results in release of carcinogenic fumes that affects the ecosystem again. Moreover both these methods also requires the need for energy investment. In the current scenario where we face energy crisis, any additional dispense of energy is extremely expensive, hence current waste disposal techniques only hinder human advancement and healthcare.
This is the project that solves the issues of disposal of plastic and a source of energy simultaneously. This project involves the catalytic degradation of waste plastic at thermal conditions. The vapours so produced are collected and processed thereby obtaining paraffin grade hydrocarbon. The paraffin composition may be analysed by testing at distilleries or at refineries. This project is a humanitarian cause project enhancing our environment and providing a new source of energy.

Why did you choose to work on this project topic : As per a Govt. report, the amount of plastic waste generated in Kerala is 109500 tons per annum. The sadder part is that no effective solution has been device for its disposal. Kerala, particularly Trivandrum region has been subject to waste disposal issues, mainly plastic wastes. Though kitchen wastes have found solace in the various initiatives such as pipe compost and biogas brought by the government, no solution on a societal level has been sought for the disposal of plastics. Due to this factor, plastics started stagnating on roadsides and empty plots causing social and other ill hazards. Due to the monsoon climatic conditions prevailing in the city through the year, water stagnates posing as breeding grounds to mosquitos acting as carriers to various diseases. The public intervened in this issue, resorting to burning of plastic as an attempt to reduce the space consumption and the volume mass. But open burning facilitates the formation of dioxins and furans that are carcinogenic in nature. Other existent solutions include landfilling and incineration that have their due hazards. Hence an effective way of plastic waste is to be implemented in a social view point.
The project was incepted with the concept of clean environment. With depleting resources, an adequate check to energy is to be maintained. But this is converse to the growing population. At the given moment plastic is an indispensable commodity. But plastics find their way out of purpose which results in widespread accumulation of plastic waste. This abundance is the reason why it finds its place as a source of energy. For a nation to be productive the people should have adequate environment that enhances their morale. A clean environment freshens attitude promoting goodwill which in turn promotes national development.

Project Highlights : As mentioned earlier, The project was incepted with the concept of clean environment. This particular project was accepted internationally and won IEEE Award for best humanitarian project. For public acceptance something beyond that is required. They need to be convinced that this is not just something on paper and can be actually applied to our lifestyle here. For that purpose i consider winning this contest which has already made the reputation and also built the credibility. In terms of Kerala this is a grave matter and is given prime importance. The govt. has already approached us in regards to its commercialisation. Several private parties have also expressed their interests which indirectly implies its prominence in the daily lives of the people. Being a solution to most issues indirectly, i hence believe is very much the prime requirement for any project- impact on human society. The project also possesses adaptability, innovative and is also sustainable. The project has been worked on since early 2014. Much time and effort has been put on to this project and surely has got the upper hand than almost all projects due to its immense social relevance.


Project Category : Mechanical / Automobile / Aeronautical
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Institute/College Name: Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology
City: Trivandrum
State: Kerala
Participating Team From: Final Year