Over 500 kg plastic covers collected from pilgrims visiting Maruthamalai temple in 45 days

Over 500 kg of plastic covers collected from pilgrims at Maruthamalai temple, promoting sustainability with cloth bag distribution.

More than 500 kg of plastic covers have been collected from pilgrims visiting the Maruthamalai hill temple in Coimbatore over the past 45 days.

The initiative began in February this year with the establishment of a plastic waste collection centre at the foothills by the Somayampalayam panchayat at a cost of ₹36 lakh. The panchayat engaged ‘Recompose Recycling’ to oversee the collection of single-use plastic covers from pilgrims before they proceed up the hill.

Twelve workers have been deployed in shifts to collect plastic covers at three entry points — pilgrims on foot using the steps, those arriving by car and two-wheeler, and those using the Devasthanam bus.

“At present, we are collecting only plastic covers. Around 10 kg to 20 kg is collected every day and stored at the centre. The multi-layered plastic needs to reach one tonne to make processing into products feasible,” said C. Prashanth of Recompose Recycling.

Cloth bags are being distributed to pilgrims in need under the Meendum Manjappai initiative, with around 4,500 bags provided so far.

Officials said pilgrims earlier carried flowers and pooja items in plastic covers, but the initiative has led many regular visitors to shift to cloth bags.