Tamil Nadu leads the charge against plastic pollution, joining forces with Dutch non-profit, The Ocean Cleanup, to deploy innovative plastic trash interceptors along its coastline as part of the Rs 1,675 crore Coastal Restoration Mission.
Tamil Nadu is taking a significant step in the battle against plastic pollution. The state government is teaming up with The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch non-profit organization, to introduce advanced plastic trash interceptors in 14 coastal districts, including Chennai. This move is part of the Rs 1,675 crore Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission, a comprehensive five-year initiative aiming to rejuvenate the state’s 1,076 km coastline, as reported by Business Insider.
The plastic trash interceptors are no ordinary devices. Picture two booms strategically positioned in a river—one upstream and one downstream. The upstream boom acts as a barrier, capturing the majority of plastic debris carried by the current. The downstream boom takes advantage of pressure to trap any remaining plastic, even during extreme floods. This smart design ensures swift accumulation of plastic waste, facilitating easy collection.
Excavators come into play once the plastic accumulates, swiftly scooping up the captured trash and transporting it to the shore for proper disposal and recycling. This closed-loop system not only promises to clean up the rivers but also offers a chance to give plastic a new life by transforming it into valuable resources.
State environment secretary Supriya Sahu expresses optimism about the technology’s potential. In a recent social media statement, she noted that plastic trash interceptors could be a highly effective intervention to prevent plastic from entering rivers and oceans. The Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission aims not only to tackle plastic pollution but also to enhance coastal biodiversity, strengthen coastal protection, and improve the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Article Credit: outlookindia