Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay directs Greater Chennai Corporation to utilize plastic waste in road works and expand scientific waste management across urban local bodies.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has directed the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to utilize plastic and other non-biodegradable waste in road construction as part of a comprehensive scientific waste management strategy. The directive aims to promote the productive use of difficult-to-recycle materials while reducing landfill disposal and strengthening circular economy practices.
The instruction was issued during a review of the bio-CNG plant at Chetpet, which operates under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The facility has the capacity to process 140 metric tonnes of wet waste per day, converting biodegradable waste into bio-CNG that is supplied to restaurants and commercial establishments.
During the review, the Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure source segregation of waste at the household level. Under the proposed approach, biodegradable waste will be processed into bio-CNG, while plastic and other non-biodegradable waste will be diverted for applications such as bitumen-based road construction and cement manufacturing, reducing the volume of waste sent to disposal sites.
The initiative is expected to provide a significant boost to the plastic recycling and polymer industries by creating additional demand for processed plastic waste in infrastructure projects. The use of shredded waste plastics in asphalt mixtures has been shown to improve road durability, enhance resistance to water damage, and reduce maintenance requirements while promoting sustainable waste utilization.
Tamil Nadu has been a pioneer in plastic road technology, building on innovations developed by Indian researchers to incorporate waste plastics into bituminous road construction. The latest directive reinforces the state’s commitment to integrating sustainable materials into public infrastructure while improving urban waste management.
By combining waste segregation, bio-CNG production, plastic recycling, and infrastructure development, the state aims to create a more resource-efficient urban waste management system. The initiative is expected to support cleaner cities, reduce environmental impact, and expand the use of recycled polymer materials in road construction across Tamil Nadu.