Responsible Solid Waste Management Initiatives
Thermal power plants produce two types of ash: Fly Ash (85%) and Bottom Ash (15%). While Fly Ash is widely used in cement and other products, Bottom Ash disposal is costly. Currently, it is disposed of in landfills and construction. To address this, CESC Limited, Kolkata, and SDG Consultants partnered with Jadavpur University on a patented project to use Bottom Ash in industrial-grade concrete production, offering an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution.
In-House Utilization of Bottom Ash – DIL innovatively replaces river sand with bottom ash in the concrete mix for internal roads and drains. This approach, patented by the organization, effectively utilizes bottom ash and maintains concrete quality.
Dhariwal, Chandrapur, has found a sustainable use for its plant's bottom ash waste. It converted an unused barren area within the plant premises into a turmeric cultivation site by mixing 70% bottom ash with 30% local soil. The turmeric growth rate is 30% higher compared to regular soil, thanks to the properties of bottom ash, and the turmeric is found to be edible. They are now encouraging nearby villagers to follow suit through their CSR program, aiming to expand this sustainable approach to other crops suitable for local conditions, creating a lasting avenue for bottom ash utilization.
Grass paver and kerb stones
DIL Chandrapur creatively employs bottom ash instead of yellow sand to produce paver blocks (M25 to M30 grade) for plant area footpaths and roads. Additionally, DIL has pioneered the use of ash in grass pavers and kerb stones. The attached image illustrates a pathway constructed with locally produced grass pavers (M25 grade), utilizing 50% ash and geopolymers. These eco-friendly solutions are cost-effective and visually appealing.