GUWAHATI, Oct 12: Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) Commissioner Chinmoy Prakash Phookan visited the EcoGram Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Belortol, Boragaon, on October 7 to review its operations, plastic waste recovery process and the welfare of workers involved in waste management.
The facility operates through a partnership between GMC, Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), Centre for Environment Education (CEE) and Shrishti Environment and Livelihood Foundation (SELF).
Phookan was accompanied by GMC Executive Engineer (MSW) Chittaranjan Dutta, HMIF CSR Head Saurabh Sharma, HMIF Senior Manager Rahul Punga and CEE Senior Programme Director Prabhjot Sodhi.
During the visit, Sodhi explained the waste management process, from segregation and recovery to processing and the onward movement of recyclable materials. The team observed machinery, including flat and inclined conveyor belts, a plastic grinder, dust air blower and baling machine.
The facility has a processing capacity of five tonnes per day and currently receives around two tonnes of dry and plastic waste daily.
Phookan interacted with the SafaiSaathis working at the facility, appreciating their contribution to keeping Guwahati clean. He stressed the need to ensure dignity, recognition and social security for these frontline workers.
Sodhi highlighted the importance of facilitating government benefits for the workers, including travel passes, enrolment under the NAMASTE scheme and Ayushman cards. Phookan expressed support for helping them access these benefits.
Vijay of Shrishti explained the facility’s practice of purchasing recyclable materials from those who bring them in and subsequently sending them to recyclers. Phookan said he would advise NGOs working in Guwahati to sell their recyclable materials to the facility so that they could reach registered recyclers.
The project has received Rs 3.3 crore in support from HMIF. According to the project information, recycling one tonne of plastic saves approximately Rs 90,000 worth of crude oil used in producing virgin plastic.
The initiative aims to strengthen plastic waste management, reduce pressure on landfills and promote resource recovery while improving recognition and social support for the workers who sustain the system.
