Kerala’s First Sanitary Waste-to-Energy Plant Begins Operations in Varkala

News Desk

02 September 2025 11:05 AM

Varkala has taken a creative step in Kerala’s waste management journey with the launch of the state’s first-ever plant for the scientific processing of household sanitary waste. The facility, designed to handle items such as sanitary pads, diapers, non-recyclable fabrics, and even hair, not only addresses one of society’s most pressing waste problems but also generates clean energy in the process.

The plant, which has the capacity to process five tonnes of waste per day, can produce 60 kilowatts of electricity daily. Built at a cost of ₹1.5 crore and approved by the State Pollution Control Board, it is the first such initiative in Kerala to transform biomedical sanitary waste into electricity.

This futuristic project is just the beginning. Over the next six months, nearly a dozen similar plants are set to be established across the state, making it possible to scientifically process the entirety of Kerala’s daily sanitary waste.

For Varkala, the initiative is a proud milestone. The municipality, which leapt from 1370th to 158th place in the Central Government’s cleanliness rankings, has now become a model for sustainable waste management.

Beyond infrastructure, the new plant represents something larger, a societal shift towards responsibility, sustainability, and innovation. By addressing a long-neglected waste challenge, Kerala inches closer to its vision of a waste-free future.