Hyderabad: A few years ago, generating electricity from vegetable waste would have been a far-fetched idea, but not anymore. Hyderabad’s Bowenpally Vegetable Market has turned this into reality. Nearly 10 tons of waste is collected every day in the market, which earlier used to end up in landfills, but is now the major source of electricity for the vegetable market.
Srinivas, Secretary, Bowenpally’s vegetable market, highlighted that every ounce of vegetable and fruit waste collected from this market is used to generate around 500 units of electricity and 30 kg of biofuel. The electricity generated provides electricity to streetlights, 170 stalls, an administration building, and the water supply network. Meanwhile, the biofuel produced is pumped to the market’s commercial kitchen. The Biogas plant is now called the “path to a sustainable future”. The canteen in the market is being run by the electricity generated through the plant established. The market yard requires 650-700 units of power and about 7-8 tons of vegetable waste generated to produce 400 units of electricity on average. As a result, the marketplace is also kept clean and pollution free. Various international delegates have also visited the plant and appreciated our efforts.”
Bowenpally’s waste-to-energy plant generates employment for women by providing opportunities for them to work in various roles such as sorting and segregating waste, operating machinery, and managing administrative tasks. This plant offers women workers a steady income along with an opportunity for skill development.