Tiruchi Corporation is likely to face significant hurdles in managing waste disposal and improving sanitary conditions, as plans to commission a meat waste recycling unit at the reclaimed land at Ariyamangalam dump yard have encountered strong opposition from a section of Councillors and residents.

According to Corporation officials, the proposed facility was expected to play a vital role in processing meat waste generated by slaughterhouses and meat shops across the city. It aimed to prevent vendors from disposing of the waste in waterbodies and on vacant land.

With the project now stalled, officials warn that the absence of a dedicated recycling mechanism could lead to unsanitary conditions and increased health risks. “Without the recycling unit, the collected wet waste would be dumped at the Ariyamangalam dump yard, since meat waste cannot be processed at the micro-composting centres. This would attract cows, birds, and stray dogs, causing a menace,” said M. Vijay Chandran, City Health Officer.

On July 31, a section of Councillors staged a walkout from the Tiruchi Corporation Council meeting demanding to stop construction of the recycling unit. They expressed concerns over foul odour and severe pollution in the neighbouring residential colonies. Many have demanded that the Corporation explore alternative locations for the facility.

With the increase in restaurants and eateries in the city, the consumption of meat and seafood has also increased significantly. On an average, the city generates around 20 to 25 tonnes of poultry, meat, and seafood waste every day, and the figure rises to 40 tonnes on weekends. At present, the waste is transported to remote dumping sites.

Corporation officials have requested the district administration to convene a peace committee meeting with the public and Councillors to educate them on the functioning and benefits of the recycling unit.

The project was awarded to a private recycling firm that previously collected and processed poultry and seafood waste at its unit in Tirunelveli. The new unit has been established on 8,000 square feet of reclaimed land at the Ariyamangalam dump yard.

The firm has invested ₹2 crore in the facility, and the civic body has fixed a monthly rent of ₹56,000. The unit will operate on a three-year contract and can process up to 50 tonnes of waste daily. Five vehicles, one for each zone, have been allocated to collect waste from meat shops and transport it to the unit. The agency will also bear the electricity costs.

The collected waste will be processed scientifically into pellets, which will be used as feed in fish farms, officials said.