Friday, 28 March 2014 00:00
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An organisation could improve its profitability by controlling wastage. Some of wastages are listed below:
1.Production wastage (Lack of modern techniques)
2.Storage wastage (Bad storage)
3.Transport wastage (Poor packing)
4.Selling wastage (not selling before expiry dates)
Now there are methods whereby even some waste products could be converted into valuable bi-products, which have a good demand.
Chicken legs
About 15 years ago it was stated that chicken legs could be cleaned and be used to prepare pickles which have a good market in China, Hong Kong etc. One may collect thousands of chicken legs from slaughter houses, chicken stalls etc. Whether cattle horns and hooves may be another bi-product needs to be verified. In China and Canada ostrich skin and feathers have a good market.
Kitchen wastage
Bio gas could be produced from kitchen waste and the residue can be used as manure for plants. In India bio gas production has been started and several restaurants are following this process. Sri Lanka also may follow this process.
Lime skins
Lime skins have the same food value (Flavones Glysocides) and could be used as a suitable bi-product. At present it is used for pickles which are not considered healthy due to its excess salt content. Lime skins could be used for cleaning purposes. Similarly skins of other fruits also could be considered.
Cocoa fruits
It is said that oil could be extracted from cocoa (after removing the seeds) and the residue could be used as animal food. Whether this is being taken up by any industry is not known.
Plastic recycling
It is not possible to destroy plastic products. They could be collected and recycled. In addition, a substitute for tar could be produced, for construction and repairing roads. Plastic bottles (1 litre) filled with water could be inserted in the roof for lighting purposes (in slum areas). This method is popular in India, Brazil etc.
Water
Rainwater could be collected on a mass scale without allowing it to seep into the earth. This method has been introduced in India.
These are only few examples. We could invent new methods and experiment them successfully. It is always better to light a candle than blame the dark forever.
S.R. Balachandran BSc.FCA, FCMA
