GHMC’s rubber waste gets new life
Wondering what the GHMC is doing with the tyre or rubber waste generated in the city? Here’s how. The corporation is handing over discarded rubber waste to a private agency, which converts them into furniture — chairs, centre tables, flower pots and dustbins etc.
Prashant Lingam, proprietor of Bamboo House India, shared, “We came across an instance of tyres being burnt. When we enquired, the shop owner said he had no other way to dispose scrap tyres. Hence came the idea of utilising scrap tyres for furniture. We began collecting waste tyres, which also addressed the issue of tyres entering streams and landfills.”
Municipal wastes that consist of tyres and drums are collected and converted into furniture and planters which can be used in offices and parks. Furniture made of recycled tyres are allweather-proof, and hence can be used both indoors and outdoors. The indoor furniture can be made with either rexine or cushions, while for outdoor furniture, water-proof boards and rexine can be used, he shares.
GHMC has placed furniture made of rubber at a few of its parks in Secunderabad zone and the park near Railway Kalyan, while Mettug-uda has chairs made of tyres. GHMC has been looking at all ways to dispose of the increasing quantum of discarded tyres. And the waste is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects.With no easy disposal options, discarded tyres are burnt openly, spewing toxic smoke in the air.
The private agency says it also picks up discarded drums which are turned into furniture, dustbins and even flower pots.
“Apart from furniture, we are working on ways to develop bags, slippers, pots, baskets, trunks, mirrors, planters, belts, buckets and what else we can make with scrap tyres. We are targeting the garden furniture segment and the outdoor segment, as the furniture are all-whether proof, there will be no rusting, no termite and can withstand sun and rain, and last a lifetime,” added another co – founder Aruna Kappagantula of Bamboo house India.