Social Initiatives Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India - Kochi

Social Initiatives

---

CREDAI CLEAN CITY MOVEMENT

Kochi is fast becoming a burgeoning metropolis in the state, with various developmental projects in the pipeline. As a natural outcome of the rapid urbanization, the issue of waste disposal has fallen as a menace on the citizens of Kochi. The garbage menace has reached a point where it is no longer the sole responsibility of the Government to keep the city clean and healthy, but each one of us has a fair share to do.

CREDAI KOCHI has taken this cause one step further by launching a nodal agency called the “Credai Clean City Movement”, as part of the social responsibility in keeping the city clean and healthy. The implementation of the project is also linked with poverty alleviation programme, whereby women from economically weaker section of the society are given employment.

CREDAI KOCHI decided to implement the Eco friendly waste management system, the Aerobic Microbial composting system, a solid waste management successfully tested and approved by Clean Kerala mission vide Govt.order GO(RT)459/2005/LSGD dt.03.02.05.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

The idea of Solid Waste Management germinated in 2007, when the ‘Garbage Crisis’ of 2007 menaced Kochi. To tackle the peril, CREDAI Kochi came forward with a far-sighted solution – an eco-friendly solid waste management system in the high rise apartments with the focus on health, hygiene and safety measures. Raising necessary funds, CREDAI Kochi set up a committed team to execute the action plan. In 2007, a trail action was implemented in a few selected apartment complexes. The eco-friendly waste management technique uses the aerobic microbial composting system for solid waste Management.

AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

An awareness campaign with the aid of audio-visual presentations was initiated in the apartment complexes intending to enlighten the residents. Initial reluctance gradually subsided; and the success of the system provided wider acceptance for this unique social initiative. Today, 70% of apartments in the city of Kochi are covered by this scheme.

BIO-BIN System: -

The Clean City Movement uses Bio-Bins to process the Bio-Degradable Organic Waste. The Bio-Degradable Waste is deposited in 6 feet long, 3 feet wide and 2.5 feet high bio-bins and a solution of Micro Organism is sprinkled onto it.Consequently the natural bio-degradation occurs and the Aerobic Microbial composting system, based on the bio-trigger mechanism, scientifically combines the naturally occurring microbes and decomposes the waste within 15 to 20 days. The decomposed waste obtained makes an excellent organic fertilizer. Corporation of Kochi approved the system and made it mandatory in all apartment complexes during 2009. Encouraged by the recognition of this humble effort, CREDAI Kochi decided to enlarge the scope of its Corporate Social Responsibility activities. Now the Bio-Bin system has been set up in more than 200 apartment complexes covering 15,000 flats in the City of Kochi.

a) Solid Waste Management System for individual houses

CREDAI CLEAN CITY decided to spread the concept of solid waste management into the residences with an aim to adopt the system to the entire city. A suitable model has been identified and successfully tested in some gated colonies.

SOCIAL IMPACT

The implementation of the project is also linked with poverty alleviation, as more than 250 women from EWS families are given employment.

RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS

This initiative by CREDAI Kochi has attracted numerous and prestigious awards and accolades from the Government of Kerala, as given below:

1. Award for the best Environmental Programme.
2. Award for the best Technology.
3. Award for the best promoter of Hygiene Maintenance Programme.

PROJECT AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL

Hospital Development Committee met in the chairmanship of District Collector and decided to entrust Solid Waste Management of General Hospital to CREDAI Clean City Movement for the next five years.

THE FIRST PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTICIPATION:-

CREDAI Clean City Movement has been appointed as the participating agency in integrated Solid Waste Management programme organized by Corporation of Kochi, KSUDP and District Administration. Certificates are issued to all builders who have implemented bio-bin system for self contained solid waste management. The certificate of CREDAI Clean City Movement is accepted by Corporation as proof of implementing self contained Solid Waste Management system in building complexes while applying for completion certificate.

THE PLASTIC SHREDDING UNIT :

After having achieved the target of processing the bio-degradable waste, the next target was to address the plastic menace. A Plastic Shredding Unit was constructed by Corporation of Kochi and CREDAI Kochi at Ravipuram. CREDAI Kochi has donated a shredding machine for the project. Good plastic collected from the Apartments are shredded and stored for using it along with bitumen for polymerized tarring of the roads. The plastic when used for tarring helps in enhancing the life of roads. Shredded plastic was utilized for tarring the roads by Corporation of Cochin on Manappatti Parambu Road, Kaloor and Manimala road, Edappally etc.

CLEAN TOILETS

We have implemented the Clean Toilet in the Ernakulam Collectorate compound. The facility is successfully running.

Mundamveli Rehabilitation center

The Rehabilitation Centre was constructed by CREDAI KOCHI at Mundamveli and was handed over to Corporation of Kochi.

Mrs. Mercy Williams, the former Mayor of Kochi and Mr. Manishankar, the former Dy. Mayor of Kochi at the inaugural function. Mr. M.V. Antony, Hon. Sec. of CREDAI Kochi is also seen.

FUTURE PLANS

BIO-MEDICAL AND E-WASTE PROCESSING

To provide total solution in solid waste management, suitable arrangements are being made to handle bio-medical and E- waste. Thus, CREDAI Kochi is on the verge of achieving a holistic system of solid waste management in the apartment complexes.

LET US JOINTLY WORK FOR A CLEAN AND GREEN CITY