The Kochi corporation is planning to implement the Zero Waste Project in west Kochi. The project will cover flats, hotels and restaurants in the area. The project is similar to the eco–friendly garbage management system being implemented by the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (Credai) in the city. The association has successfully treated organic waste produced in flats constructed by its members at the site itself. The corporation has sought the assistance of Credai for the project. Besides helping west Kochi residents treat organic waste, the civic body will also appoint people to collect plastic waste, which will be taken to the plastic shredding facility in Ravipuram. “We are busy collecting details of hotels and restaurants in the area,” said P P Alosious, health officer incharge, Kochi corporation. Currently, there is no proper system to collect waste collection from hotels in the west Kochi area. Though Kudumbasree workers collect waste, it is mostly dumped by restaurants in open areas. For the Zero Waste Project, hotels and restaurants will be charged, based on the quantity of waste generated. They will be asked to remit the money with the corporation in advance every month. The civic will also buy three vehicles to collect waste from hotels. Before executing the project, a meeting will be held with hotel and restaurant owners, Kudumbasree workers and merchants seeking their views on the project. The Credai project, part of its Clean City Movement, relies on aerobic microbes and anaerobic composting facilities to process waste in flats. “We have implemented the project in 166 building complexes in the corporation area. We will complete another 122 buildings soon,” said Jose Joseph Moonjely, executive director, Credai Clean City Movement. Currently, the corporation employs around 800 people to collect waste in eastern and western zones. Thirty-eight vehicles, including 28 rented ones, are used for waste collection.