City firm makes stronger-than-concrete interlock tiles from single-use plastic waste

In spite of taking multiple steps to address the plastic waste problem, residents and civic authorities know for sure that there is still a long way to go. Over 20 to 25 percent (over 80 tonnes) of the total municipal solid waste generated in Mysuru comprises plastic and the volume is growing by the day.

Though the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and the District Administration have issued a blanket ban on the manufacturing, storing and distribution of single-use plastics such as carry bags, flex banners, plates, etc., the menace has not been curtailed and has now grown into a gargantuan problem.

To solve the problem permanently, a city-based firm has found an innovative solution to use plastic waste to make interlock tiles or pavers that are stronger than cement. Moreover, these pavers are affordable, have longevity and are environment friendly.

Jagruth Tech has come up with an innovative, eco-friendly, scientific, feasible solution for upcycling low-value plastic waste and converting them into less carbon footprint products like construction materials (interlock pavers) and plywood alternative sheets.

The firm is the authorised single-use plastic waste recycler and collector approved by the MCC that is carrying out the recycling process at the Solid Waste Management Unit (Excel Plant) at Sewage Farm premises in Vidyaranyapuram.

Low-Value Plastic

All the plastic manufactured can be recycled. But Low-Value Plastic (LVP) or single-use plastic or non-recyclable plastic waste are meant to be used only once. These are also referred to as disposable plastic. Single-use plastics include Multi-Layered Plastic (MLP), grocery bags, food packaging, straws, containers, cups and cutlery.

Even rag pickers do not show interest to pick these plastics and there is no practice or technology to recycle these, and they are invariably dumped in landfills or burnt. These result in many diseases as they release noxious gases.

“Proper and formal recycling is the ultimate solution for this critical problem. Continuous thinking and working on the same made us invent interlock pavers from single-use waste plastics. The finished products have advantages like end-of-life disposal of LVPs, they are fully recyclable, they reduce fossil fuel, carbon footprint and prevent plastic pollution,” Dinesh Bopanna, one of the Directors of Jagruth Tech, told Star of Mysore.

These interlocks can bear loads up to 60 tonnes and are more durable than cement bricks. They can resist temperatures up to 60 degrees Celsius. Also, they are fully recyclable and can be reused many times.

Prevents harmful emissions

In fact, one interlock tile prevents 2.5 kgs of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions from entering the atmosphere. Even the plywood alternative sheets manufactured by the firm using single-use plastic are eco-friendly and are much stronger than plywood, he added.

“Eco Pro sheets are a creative transformation of the waste plastics obtained from MLPs and single-use plastics into a better replacement for plywood. It is a redefined product that is eco-friendly, fire and water-resistant, durable for lifetime, rust and termite-free,” Dinesh explained.

Dinesh said that his company also provides end of life to products as per the requirements of the Central Pollution Control Board and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.

As for the process of converting the plastic to interlock pavement and plywood-alternative sheets, he said that once they receive used plastic waste from vendors and from other sources, the plastic is shredded and mixed with fillers and then compressed to make tiles with a hydraulic machine at the production unit in Vidyaranyapuram.

Jagruth Tech has three Directors — K. Dasharath, C. Darshan and Dinesh Bopanna. Very recently, they demonstrated their technology and processes at the two-day training-cum-conference of Commissioners from various City Corporations on Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 held in Mysuru. Impressed with the demonstration, the Commissioners visited the Jagruth plant to see the processes of wealth from waste.