Kerala government will set up 17 new waste processing plants within a year to address gaps in biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste management, Minister for Local Self-Governments MB Rajesh announced.

The Local Self-Government (LSG) department and allied agencies will build six refuse-derived fuel (RDF) plants for non-recyclable waste, four sanitary waste plants, and seven compressed biogas (CBG) plants for biodegradable waste. Sanitary waste plants, with a capacity of 100 tonne daily, will address disposal issues for such items. Two will come up in north Kerala, and one each in central and south Kerala.

The CBG plants, supported by BPCL and private partners, will have 150-tonne capacities to serve households and bulk waste generators. Currently, only 26.5 percent of households treat waste at source. The government may offer a five percent property tax reduction to those adopting home composting.

Projects in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are underway, with e-waste collection expanding statewide from September. Haritha Karma Sena will increase plastic waste collection frequency, and scholarships of Rs 1,500 each for 50,000 students involved in waste management are being considered. Currently, only 26.5 percent of households treat waste at source.