Kochi: The Navy has introduced a new project for plastic recycling. The entire plastic waste in the Naval Base will be recycled in the new project. Also plastic waste is collected from the households in Vathuruthy here. Plastic collection will be expanded to more places in the next phase.

Reducing plastic waste in the sea is another aim of the project. The plastic waste abandoned in the sea will be recycled first. The project, to be started at Kochi Naval Base which is the Southern Naval Command, will ensure public participation too. The concept was introduced by A K Chawla, the vice admiral of the Southern Naval command.

The project will be started as Segregated Plastic Waste Management System (SPWMS) with the aim to attain self sufficiency in waste management. There are five parts of the machine i.e dust remover, soft plastic grinder, hard plastic grinder, washing machine and drying machine. 

The machines required for the project were set up at the Katari Bagh centre of the Navy. The equipments worth Rs 46 lakh for the project was given by the Cochin Shipyard. The Navy is responsible for arranging the land, setting up the unit and managing its operation.

Commodore Anil J Joseph, INS Venduruthy commanding officer, stated that the new project is introduced as a major responsibility of the Navy which should stand for the national security. Plastic causes pollution and many problems in the country. The project will be inaugurated this week, he added.