The Alappuzha municipality in Kerala is set to launch Aero Fert, an enriched organic fertiliser produced from processed organic waste.

At present, the civic body operates 400 Thumboormuzhi-model aerobic composting units at 36 locations across the municipal area. Organic waste dumped at these units transforms into organic fertiliser within 45 days. “It will be sieved before being packed in 2 kg and 5 kg bags. Aero Fert will be priced at ₹15 per kg,” said an official.

The organic fertiliser will be officially launched in a function to be held at Alissery on March 17. The municipality also plans to set up outlets near aerobic composting units to facilitate sales. The fertiliser, tested at a certified lab, was found to be suitable for farming. “We have already supplied the fertiliser to farmers on an experimental basis and received a good response. We hope Aero Fert gains widespread acceptance and becomes a popular brand,” said K.K. Jayamma, chairperson, Alappuzha municipality.

The civic body set up aerobic composting units as part of implementing a decentralised waste management system after mass protests led to the closure of the landfill site at Sarvodayapuram more than a decade ago.

Meanwhile, though the municipality decided to carry out the second phase of bio-mining at the Sarvodayapuram landfill site, the process has not been commenced yet. In August 2024, the municipal council selected Kozhikode-based M.C.K. Kutty Engineering Project Private Limited to carry out the next phase of bio-mining.

Through bio-mining, the municipality aims to clear the mounds of legacy waste dumped at Sarvodayapuram. A total station survey conducted by the civic body estimated that the site has 30,101.690 cubic metres of legacy waste. Until 2012, the municipality used to dump truckloads of unsegregated waste at the landfill, spread over 12 acres, daily. Though it shut the plant several years ago following protests, no concrete measures were taken to remove the accumulated waste until recently.

Officials said that scientific waste disposal through bio-mining would resolve a long-standing issue and allow the site to be repurposed for other uses.