Allianz joins hands with German company to remove plastic from water bodies in TVM city

Thiruvananthapuram: Allianz Technology and Allianz Services, two operating entities of the Allianz Group in Technopark are supporting an innovative plastic waste collection and management system in Thiruvananthapuram. Allianz has engaged experts at the German social enterprise Plastic Fischer to remove and manage the plastic waste in canals, rivers and tributaries in the city.

Aiming to clean the city's water bodies, a three-year plan has been devised to scale the project to multiple canals, rivers and tributaries in and around Thiruvananthapuram. Reducing clogging that results in flooding and taking plastic out of the ecosystem and opening up opportunities for full-time jobs for local people are the core objectives.

Allianz Group with the partnership with Plastic Fischer, the enterprise which is globally recognized for its plastic waste management and river cleanup initiatives, plan to collect 550 metric tons of plastic waste while laying the groundwork for long-term waste management infrastructure. This initiative aims to reduce marine plastic pollution in the region as well as to unclog the water networks.

“Thiruvananthapuram is at the core of our journey in India, as it is home to over 5500 Allianz employees. So, I am proud that together with Plastic Fischer and the state of Kerala we can remove the plastic in the city’s rivers, tributaries and canals,” said Barbara Karuth-Zelle, Member of the Board of Management and COO of Allianz SE.

According to Karsten Hirsch, CEO & Co-Founder, Plastic Fischer, they are proud to partner with Allianz to prevent hundreds of tons of plastic waste from being flushed through drains and rivers into the ocean in Thiruvananthapuram.”

Permissions have been obtained for eight sites. Three systems have been installed, two in Thampanoor canal and one in Ulloor canal. K T Balabhaskaran, Executive Director of Suchitwa Mission pointed out that it looking forward to replicating the system in other areas in the state if the pilot project here turns successful.