In Phuentshogling, a recycling project aimed at keeping plastic waste out of the city’s landfill by turning it into useful locally made products remains stalled months after the production machines were installed. Production has yet to begin as the waste management firm is still awaiting approval from Druk Holding and Investments. The facility falls under the Phuentshogling Township Development Project, which is being executed by DHI.
For 52-year-old Jamtsho Drukpa, CEO of Druk Trash Solution, waste is not a problem but an opportunity.
Phuentshogling Thromde outsourced the town’s waste management services to the company in 2021 to improve waste collection, segregation, and recycling. The company began operating the facility in January this year.
At the Material Recovery Facility in Phuentshogling, organic waste is turned into compost while recyclable dry waste is carefully sorted. The facility is expected to use plastic and glass waste as raw materials to manufacture products such as paver blocks, bricks, garden pipes, tarpaulins and black PVC pipes.
However, despite installing the production machines several months ago and preparing raw materials, the plant remains idle as it awaits approval from DHI.
Jamtsho Drukpa said, “The machines were installed a long time ago. I already have the raw materials ready, including shredded plastic. The Thromde has been asking me when production will begin, but I still haven’t received the approval. Once I get it, I can start production immediately. I have also requested vehicle workshops not to throw away broken glass and windshields because they will be used as raw materials. They keep calling me now, asking when I can collect them.”
According to Thromde, the office cannot do anything until the facility is officially handed over. Thromde officials said they have written to DHI twice concerning the matter but have yet to receive a response.
BBS also reached out to DHI for comments. The company said the Construction Development Corporation Limited, which is carrying out construction works in the Phuentshogling Township Development Project, could give the correct and updated information. However, when contacted, CDCL referred the matter back to DHI. When BBS approached DHI again, it directed the queries back to CDCL.
When contacted for a second time, CDCL said it would respond to BBS’s queries but needed to follow internal protocols, which would take some time.
Beyond the pending approval, waste segregation at the source and labour shortages remain major challenges. Even so, he says he has no intention of giving up.
Jamtsho Drukpa said, “Many people still consider waste work undesirable and feel ashamed to take it up. But there is nothing to be ashamed of. I stay here until 10 at night. When the garbage trucks arrive and unload waste, I feel happy because I see opportunity.”
The facility currently processes around 110 metric tons of kitchen waste every month, producing approximately 40 metric tons of compost.
It also handles about 15 metric tons of dry waste every day, which is expected to become the primary raw material for the planned recycling products once production begins.
Kinley Dem/Anita
Edited by Phub Gyem
