Visakhapatnam:

For the first time in South India, plastic waste will be recycled to manufacture tiles in Vizag.  The National Research Development Corporation’s Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre at Visakhapatnam and National Physical Laboratory of New Delhi has transferred the technology to the Vizag-based Vyzag Bio-Energy Fuel Private Limited, according to the centre’s Vizag head B.K Sahu.

Scientists believe that the plastic tiles could be commercially viable as they are unbreakable and water-proof. Promoting them would help combat the threat posed by plastic waste.  The technology was developed by scientist S.K. Dhawan and his team at the NPL, The technology was selected in the Smart Fifty innovations by the department of science and technology and IIM-Kolkata.   Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Dhawan said: “The idea was to evolve a solution to the huge threat looming on the environment due to plastic waste. Only 20 per cent of plastic waste is recycled and the rest is dumped, causing a huge impact all over including marine life. There is a huge scope to recycle these wastes.”

About 600 plastic bags are used to manufacture one tile and 42,000 plastic bags for a slab measuring seven foot by four foot. The plastic tiles cost Rs 50-60 per sq feet and could be used for pavements, jogger paths. Tiles are being manufactured with different designs and are commercially viable. “When plastic wastes are being recycled to lay roads, why we should not use them for tiles,” Mr Dhawan asked. “Plastic recycling is growing in India and the market is huge. We should focus more on how to get wealth from wastes,” said the scientist.

Waste plastic bags and bottles are shredded into small pieces. This is mixed with fillers and moulded into water-proof decorative colourful tiles. 600 plastic bags are used to make one standard size tile 42,000 plastic bags are used for a slab measuring seven foot by four foot. Plastic tiles cost Rs 50-60 per sq feet and could be used for pavements, jogger paths.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Viral & Trending / by Sumit Onka, Deccan Chronicle / June 29th, 2018