Goa to set up first plastic recycling plant

PANAJI: Burdened by the massive problem of plastic waste in the state, the Government of Goa is planning to set up a plastic waste recycling plant that could convert plastic waste into value added byproducts. The Government of Goa has asked an agency which approached the state government with the solution to submit a detailed proposal for the government’s consideration.

At the Saligao solid waste treatment plant, hard plastics from various products like television sets, remotes and food storage boxes and PET bottles are sent to units located outside the state that powders the plastic waste and use it for various purposes.

According to Nilesh Cabral, Environment Minister, Government of Goa, the state produces about 400 tonnes of waste daily. Out of this, nearly half of it is plastic or non-recyclable. Since Goa currently has no plastic waste recycling plant, all this waste goes outside the state for processing. He further said, “The waste management ministry will see if there is a possibility of setting up such a plant which will produce value added products from plastic waste.”