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FIELD WORK REPORT

On 13 th of June 2010 we ABHINAV RAMACHANDRAN, ADHNAN KP,
AGHIL MP, AKHIL RAFAEL & JINESH K B of fourth semester Electronics and Communication
Engineering of Vidya Academy of Science & Technology (VAST) visited the Malappuram
Municipality Waste Treatment Plant at Melmuri Malappuram as a part of our
environmental studies field work. This plant was started in 2004 at the Malappuram
Municipality; it is one of the efficient processes where the wastes are converted into bio
fertilizer. These fertilizers are used for the development of bio-culture in the Malappuram
Municipality. We studied their method of treating wastes and the conversion of wastes
into fertilizer.

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CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………..3
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE FIELD WORK…………………………………………………4
3. MALAPPURAM MUNICIPALITY……………………………………………………5
4. MALAPPURAM MUNICIPALITY WASTE TREATMENT PROJECT…….6
5. CLEAN KERALA GROUP………………………………………………………………..8
6. WASTE TREATMENT PLANT……………………………………………………………9
7. WASTE TREATMENT STAGES………………………………………………………….11
8. BLOCK DIAGRAM………………………………………………………………….………..15
9. TRANSFORMATION OF WASTES TO BIO-FERTILIZER.………….………….16
10. BIOLOGICAL CULTURE…………………………………………….………………………17
11. ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF BIO FERTILIZER….…..……………………18
12. PLASTIC WASTE TREATMENT……………………..….………….…………………..19
13. RECOGNITION…………………………………….…..………………….…………………21
14. ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS PROJECT……….………………22
15. FUTURE EXPANSION OF THE PROJECT………………….………….…………….23
16. CONCLUSION……………………………………………….………………….…………….24
17. APPENDIX…………………………………………..…………………………….……………25

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INTRODUCTION
Due to increase in population, expansion of township and change in life
style wastes from markets and industries are increased. Also with increase in population
number of houses in a given area got increased and hence waste disposal become one of
the main problem faced by the society. So the wastes from houses are discarding to the
roads and public places. This will increase the water, land, and air pollutions; also it will
increase pollution bone diseases. Hence waste management is an important problem
faced by municipalities and panchayath.

Malappuram Municipality is situated at the heart of Malappuram district.

It is a highly populated area in Malappuram. Hosing is one of the main problems in this
area. Most of agricultural lands are used for constructing houses hence number of houses
in a given area gets increased. So waste management was the main problem faced by the
municipality.

In 2004 the main problem faced by the municipality was waste

management. Due lack land for houses for the waste deposit, wastes are increased in
public places. The municipality decided to introduce a special project for waste
management in 2005. It is a clean Kerala project for waste treatment and encouragement
of biological culture. In 2010 the municipal areas become free from wastes and foul smell.
Clean Malappuram and Green Malappuram is another project of municipality in 2010.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE FIELD WORK

Waste management is one the main problem in many municipal areas. Hence
many waste management methods are implemented in several municipalities. Our main
objectives of this field are

 To study the waste treatment methods of Malappuram municipality

 To study their methods and procedure for treating the wastes
 To study about the clean Kerala group
 To study the transformation of biological wastes to bio fertilizer
 To study the advantages of biological culture

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MALAPPURAM MUNICIPALITY
Malappuram municipality is one of highly populated area in Malappuram district. It is
a crowded housing area. In 2004 there was
lack fecilities for waste management. The
wastes from houses were the main
problem. In 2005 a waste treatment
project was inaugurated. It helps to reduce
wastes in public places. The municipal
committee is mainly interested in waste
management. Their main aim of this
project was “clean Malappuram”. After the
completion of this project now in 2010 the
committee decided to start another
project “clean Malappuram and green
Malappuram”. Since plantation in municipal areas helps to reduce soil erosion and it is
helpful for ecological balance of the environment.

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MALAPPURAM MUNICIPALITY WASTE TREATMENT

PROJECT

In 2004 one of the main problems faced by Malappuram was wastes and waste
dumping. The public areas were of foul smell due to these wastes. The municipality
decided to introduce a project for waste management. This worth Rs 68 lac, started with
the cooperation of Kerala government. The main objectives of this project are
 Cleaning of public places
 Solution for waste management in houses
 Participation of public in waste management
 Transformation of wastes to fertilizer
 Biological culture
 Clean Malappuram green Malappuram

It is a “clean Kerala” project for waste management. A special advisory committee

was formed with health inspector as chairman. The studied the problems and conduct
awareness camps in all wards of municipality and decided to start the Malappuram
municipality waste treatment project.

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In 2005 of August 1 the project was inaugurated. This is one of the best
projects for waste management in Kerala municipality level.

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CLEAN KERALA GROUP

It is a special group for collecting the wastes from houses and markets. The
committee of project selected 40 female
volunteers who were interested for
waste treatment from “Ayalkootam”
and “Kudumbasree” units. And the
municipality provided training for these
volunteers at Trivandrum.
After their training the
members were divided in ward wise.
They kept two buckets in each house,
one for biological waste and other for
plastic wastes. For collecting the wastes
from houses each home pay 30 rupees
per month. They also kept buckets in
shops and hotels and used to get rupees
150 per month to clean Kerala group.
The group has a uniform and has got 3
vehicles for collecting the wastes. This
also provides a platform for getting jobs
to females.
Now in 2010 there are 70
members in clean Kerala group. Their
work time is from 7am to 12pm. The
municipality also conducts awareness
camps for the waste treatment. This will
provide awareness to public about the
evil effects of wastes, water and soil
pollution problem and also encourage
the public to participate in waste
management.

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WASTE TREATMENT PLANT

Malappuram municipality waste treatment plant is situated in Melmuri,
15km away from Malappuram town. It is a place with low population. The municipality
bought this land for the waste treatment plant. This plant contains 14 workers of which 11
of them are female.

The sitemap is given below

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The plant contains areas for treatment of wastes for 60 days, special machines
for separating the wastes, filtering the powdered wastes, a special burner for plastic
wastes. The wastes collected by the clean Kerala group from houses and markets are
given to the plant through their vehicles. The process of waste treatment is carried out in
the plant. The municipality provides 1.14 lac per year to the plant contractor for better
working of the plant. The area is free from houses, so the plant doesn’t make problems to
public.

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WASTE TREATMENT STAGES

The wastes collected by the plant are treated to get biological fertilizer. The
different stages of waste treatment are described below. The collected wastes are
randomly separated, so that the plastic and biological wastes are separated. Most of the
wastes from houses are in separated form. The clean Kerala group provides separate
buckets for plastic and other wastes.

Now the wastes areRandomly

passed through a conveyer
separate the wastes belt, hence the volunteers can
very easily separate the plastic and biological wastes. Plastic wastes are treated in a special
incinerator.

Conveyor belt

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The biological wastes are deposited in the plant for 60 days. After 60 days the
water content of the wastes are reduced, then the wastes become drier. Within 60 days
biological activities occurs in the wastes in the presence of bacteria. The dried wastes are
ready for crushing.

Waste disposal area

Next stage of treatment is crushing the dried wastes through a special crusher.
After crushing the wastes are in the powdered form.

Crusher for powdered wastes

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The powdered wastes are now filtered out through a special filter. Municipality
provides 30 lac for these machines.

Filter for powdered wastes

The
filtered wastes are bio fertilizer. These fertilizer is packed from the plant. About 10 tons of
fertilizer is packed per year. These are used for agricultural purpose.

Bio fertilizer ready for packing

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The municipality also encourages biological culture; the fertilizer from the waste
treatment plant is used for this purpose. These fertilizers are eco- friendly in nature. They
do not cause any pollution in soil and water.

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BLOCK DIAGRAM
The block diagram of the waste treatment by Malapuram municipality is shown
below.

Wastes from houses Wastes from market Wastes from public

areas

Collected by Clean Kerala group

Given to waste treatment plant

Separate plastic & biological wastes by

passing through a conveyer belt

Biological wastes are treated for 60 days

Crushed in a special crusher for dried

wastes

Filtered out and give powdered wastes

Biological fertilizer

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TRANSFORMATION OF WASTS TO BIO FERTILIZER

In Malapuram municipality the wastes are transformed into bio fertilizer.
It’s a method with 100% efficiency. The unwanted garbage, market, hotel and house
wastes are transformed into biological fertilizer. The municipality practicalizes their duties
and forms the clean Kerala group. The wastes are treated and transformed to bio-fertilizer.

Biological culture is healthy to human beings and soil. Bio-fertilizer

maintains the soil fertility. Also the biologically cultured food products are healthy.

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BIOLOGICAL CULTURE

Bio Fertilizer are natural and organic fertilizer that helps to keep in the soil
with all the nutrients and live microorganisms required for the benefits of the plants. The
soil is alive and contains a lot of microorganism that produce natural N-K-P and other
nutrients required for agriculture and plants. Using chemical products eventually will kill all
this micro live and transform productive soils in sand in few years.
Bio-fertilizer is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, when
applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizophere or the interior of the plant
and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the
host plant. Bio fertilizers add nutrients through the natural processes of nitrogen fixation,
solubilizing phosphorus, and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growth
promoting substances. Bio-fertilizers can be expected to reduce the use of chemical
fertilizers and pesticides .One of the efficient of producing bio-fertilizer is the conversion of
biological wastes into fertilizer. This method has two benefits one is it reduce the waste
deposition in public places and second one the produced fertilizer is good for vegetable
culture.

The microorganisms in bio-fertilizers restore the soil's natural nutrient cycle and
build soil organic matter. Through the use of bio-fertilizers, healthy plants can be grown
while enhancing the sustainability and the health of soil. Since they play several roles, a
preferred scientific term for such beneficial bacteria is plant-growth promoting
rhizobacteria   (PGPR]. Therefore, they are extremely advantageous in enriching the soil
fertility and fulfilling the plant nutrient requirements by supplying the organic nutrients
through microorganism and their byproduct. Hence, bio-fertilizers do not contain any
chemicals which are harmful to the living soil. Bio-fertilizers are Eco-friendly organic agro-
input and more cost effective than chemical fertilizers.

In Malappuram municipality the wastes are converted into bio-fertilizer, which is

used for vegetable culture. So that soil fertility increases and usage of chemical fertilizers
can be reduced.

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ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF BIO FERTILIZERS

Cost effective relative to chemical fertilizer and reduces the costs towards
fertilizers use, especially regarding nitrogen and phosphorus. It is environmentally friendly
fertilizer that not only prevents damaging the natural source but helps to some extend
clean the nature from precipitated chemical fertilizer.

As it is living thing, it can symbiotically associate with plant root. Involved

microorganisms could readily and safely convert complex organic material in simple
compound, so that plant easily taken up. Microorganism function is in long duration causing
Improvement of the soil fertility. It maintains the natural habitat of the soil. It Increase crop
yield by 20-30%. Replace chemical nitrogen and phosphorus by 25% in addition to
Stimulating of the plant growth. Finally it can provide protection against drought and some
soil borne diseases.

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PLASTIC WASTE TREATMENT

The plastic wastes separated from the entire wastes by passing through
the conveyer belt are incinerated in a special incinerator.

Incinerator for plastic wastes

This incinerator contains special adsorbents that adsorb the harmful gases
when the plastic burns.

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The area where the plant is situated is free from houses, so that this burning
is does not cause any harmful effects to the public.

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RECOGNITION

In 2006 Malappuram municipality got swaraj Trophy for stat’s second best
municipality in Kerala. The reflected project of the municipality was the municipal waste
treatment plant. The next project of the municipality is “Clean Malappuram & Green
Malappuram”. The waste treatment project completes its objectives. Now the public areas
are free from wastes and agricultural lands are free from chemicals.

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ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS PROJECT

This project has many advantages and some limitations, they are described
below.

ADVANTAGES

 Helpful to reduce wastes in public places

 Solve the problem of wastes from houses
 Transform wastes to bio fertilizer
 Encouragement of bio-culture
 Maintenance of soil texture and quality
 Reduce the usage of chemical fertilizer
 Reduce pollution borne diseases

LIMITATIONS

 Plastic wastes are not managed efficiently

 Biological fertilizers are not so efficient

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FUTURE EXPANSION OF THE PROJECT

 The biological wastes are used for the preparation of earth worm compost
 Plastic wastes are transformed to useful products
 Expansion of the use of bio-fertilizer
 Special method for treatment of plastic wastes
 Clean Malappuram Green Malappuram

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CONCLUSION
Malappuram Municipality Waste Treatment Project is one of the
best projects in Kerala municipality level. The wastes from houses, market and public places
are converted into bio-fertilizer. The municipality also encourages bio-vegetable culture.
This is an efficient project were wastes are transformed into fertilizer. Municipality now
decided to start another project “Clean Malappuram Green Malappuram”.

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APPENDIX
National Newspaper report from THE HINDU
Monday, Oct 30, 2006

Malappuram celebrates recognition

Staff Reporter

MALAPPURAM: The Municipal

Council here on Sunday
conducted the Malappuram
town festival, celebrating the
award it won from the Government
for its people- friendly efforts.
Malappuram had won the Swaraj
Trophy for the State's second
best municipality last year.
Honoured Minister for Local
Administration Paloli
Mohammed Kutty honoured
former municipal chairpersons on
the occasion. The Minister draped
M. Aboobacker, P.K. Kunhu,
Sadhu Razak, K. Badarunnisa
and C.H. Jameela with ponnada.
The former municipal chairman and Indian Union Muslim League leader P.K. Kunhalikutty
did not attend the function. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mohammed Kutty called upon the
civic body chiefs to compete with one another so that people's planning could be
implemented more meaningfully. M. Ummer, MLA, inaugurated the festivities. He honoured
the former municipal chairperson C.H. Jameela, who won the award, and the former
municipal Opposition leader Paloli Kunhimohammed on the occasion. Municipal Chairman
Kiliyamannil Yakoob presided over the function. Vice-chairman Veekshanam Mohammed
welcomed the gathering. K.N. Noushad, Kudumbasree district coordinator, led a seminar on
`the role of women in poverty eradication'. P.K. Kunhu, district panchayat vice-president;
C.P. Hameed, chairman of municipal standing committee for development; Nanath Moosa
Haji, chairman of municipal standing committee for health; Ayoob Areekath, chairman of
municipal standing committee for public works; and K.P. Anil, municipal Opposition leader
were among those who offered felicitation. K. Girija, municipal secretary, proposed a vote of
thanks. A cultural procession was taken out through Malappuram town in the evening. A
large number of people, including school children, Kudumbasree members, people's
representatives and political party workers, took part in the cultural procession. A musical
orchestra led by Golden Melodies from Palakkad held on the municipal bus stand premises
entertained the large holiday crowd. The musical evening brought an end to the day-long
festivities.

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