BSWML identifies 100+ acres for major waste project; Boosts RDF processing and earns ₹1.80 crore through EPR credits

Land in Doddaballapur and Bengaluru South cleared for acquisition at ₹1.57 crore per acre as city ramps up plastic waste diversion to cement plants

With landfill space becoming a growing concern in Bengaluru, the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) has moved ahead with plans to set up a large-scale solid waste management project by identifying more than 100 acres of land.

BSWML Chief Executive Officer Karee Gowda announced on Monday that key locations have already been finalised. These include the Terra Farm area in Gundalahalli village in Doddaballapur taluk, as well as government-owned land in Gollahalli in Bengaluru South. The land will be acquired at a compensation rate of ₹1.57 crore per acre, subject to government approval.

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The development comes at a time when the city is generating nearly 6,000 tonnes of solid waste every day. Out of this, around 520 tonnes consists of low-value plastic waste. BSWML has been actively increasing the segregation and collection of such plastic for conversion into refuse-derived fuel (RDF).

From October 9 last year to February 26 this year, the agency collected 19,470 tonnes of RDF through systematic waste segregation. Officials have now set a target to scale up the daily processing of low-value plastic from 520 tonnes to 1,000 tonnes.

The segregated RDF is being transported to cement manufacturing units for co-processing. Between December 15 last year and February 26 this year, a total of 18,625 tonnes of RDF was sent to the Dalmia Cements plant under a formal tender agreement. This step has helped divert large volumes of plastic waste away from landfills.

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Under this arrangement, cement companies issue Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) credits to BSWML. Between December 15 and February 26, the agency sold 3,600 EPR credits to producers, importers and brand owners (PIBOs) in accordance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2024. These transactions generated revenue of ₹1.80 crore.

According to Karee Gowda, the income from EPR credits is strengthening BSWML financially while also supporting long-term, sustainable waste management practices in the city.