Kerala Minister says ‘plastic recycling park’ being planned at Brahmapuram

The Kerala government is assessing the feasibility of setting up a dedicated plastic recycling park at Brahmapuram in Kochi to address the growing challenge of plastic waste management across the state. Industries Minister P. Rajeev announced the proposal while speaking at the Kerala Petrochemical Conclave in Kochi.

Highlighting the persistent difficulties faced by local bodies and recycling entrepreneurs, the minister mentioned the state is exploring the creation of an industrial park exclusively for plastic recycling units.

P. Rajeev held that nearly 25 acres of land have been identified at Brahmapuram area for the recycling project. The proposed park is planned in collaboration with the local self-government department, and the initiative is currently at a preliminary stage. Further steps will be taken after detailed feasibility assessments.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, citing acute space constraints as a major obstacle for plastic recycling operations in Kerala. Kerala has nearly 150 plastic recycling units, many of which struggle to operate efficiently due to space limitations. Recycling processes require large areas for storing collected plastic waste and sorting it into different categories, making it impractical to run such units in residential zones.

Experts believe that Brahmapuram area is well suited for the project as it is already designated for waste management activities.

The State pollution control board (PCB) held last year that plastic waste generation in Kerala was 71,000 tonnes in 2023-24. Although, the environmentalists say that the figure could be higher. Today, discarded plastic waste is being dumped in the verdant hills, water bodies and ecologically sound open spaces in Kerala.

According to one estimate, there is daily plastic waste generation of over 11,000 tonnes which is straining the current collection and recycling infrastructure.