There have been some successful waste management stories in Hyderabad that have been lauded even by the Prime Minister. Inspired by such success cases, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is gearing up to improve its recycling capabilities in the city.

Right now, efforts are on to set up two construction & demolition (C&D) waste recycling plants, one each in southern and northern parts of the city. These plants are in addition to the two plants in Jeedimetla and Fathullahguda. Hyderabad Mayor G Vijayalakshmi visited the Jeedimetla plant to have an overview of the project.

Presently, the preparation of proposals for setting up the plants is underway, and once they are drafted, the civic body will be inviting companies to set up the recycling plant on their own land. According to the proposal, the land parcel should be of 5 acres at least.

User charges will be collected by the company, and the charges will be higher for builders and less for people in slums. However, the civic body will set a minimum slab rate so the companies don’t exploit people. Incidentally, the responsibility of collecting debris from the localities allocated will also lie with the company. After recycling by-products from the construction and demolition debris, the other waste left will include metal, sand, and silt. These will then be used to make parking tiles, pavement tiles, kerbstones, pre-cast compound walls, and interlocking bricks.

At present, approximately 1500 metric tonne to 2000 metric tonne is generated daily within city limits, and it is recycled at Jeedimetla and Fatullahguda. To dispose of their debris, building owners or contractors can contact 1800 120 1159.

As a tipping fee, Rs 342 per metric tonne will be collected, and if the person transports it to the plant, Rs 85.50 per metric tonne would be charged.