In a significant move towards sustainable waste management, the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) has announced plans to set up a styrofoam treatment and recycling plant, the first of its kind in the region, to tackle the growing issue of thermocol waste in city markets, particularly the Siliguri regulated market.
Mayor Goutam Deb held a meeting on Monday with representatives from the Siliguri regulated market committee, traders, and key SMC officials, including those from the conservancy department, to discuss the proposed initiative.
“There is only one styrofoam recycling plant in the state, located in Kolkata. Our team has already visited the facility to study its operations. We now plan to introduce a similar setup in Siliguri to ensure proper disposal and treatment of thermocol, which poses serious environmental hazards,” Mayor Deb told reporters.
Highlighting efforts to improve infrastructure at the regulated market, mayor Deb added that he recently met with state agriculture marketing minister Becharam Manna. The minister has asked to submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) covering drainage, electricity, and other civic issues. “Once the DPR is submitted, the department will consider sanctioning funds for overall development,” he said.
The move is expected to bolster Siliguri’s environmental management efforts and set a model for thermocol waste treatment in other urban areas of north Bengal.