Bhopal, Aug 14 (UNI) This City of Lakes is all set to be free from plastic hazards.
Non-biodegradable plastic, which poses a threat to the environment for decades, is going to be scrapped from here by burning it with coal as fuel in a cement factory.
''A truck loaded with 10 tonnes plastic has been sent to the Katni-based ACC Cement factory from here,'' Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board Chairman S P Gautam told reporters today.
He claimed that, for the first time in the country, a state is taking up the task of destroying plastic in a constructive way.
''Destroying plastic is a gigantic problem as on burning at normal temperature it produces toxic gases, after burying it takes 400 years to decompose and if disposed in water it creates blockages,'' said Mr Gautam, adding that burning plastic at 900 degrees Celcius made it serve as a fuel.
Mayor Sunil Sood flagged off the lorry and promised that the Municipal Corporation would pay the truck fare for this endeavour.
The voluntary organisation Sarthak Samudayik Jankalyan Sanstha took the task of picking up the plastic from the city.
''Of the total present plastic, 80 per cent is recyclable. Hence, the remainder will be burned in the factory,'' Mr Gautam added.
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