India has evinced interest in the ‘‘Recycling Centre Concept‘‘ offered by The Netherlands-based World Wide Recycling that focusses on reusing waste fractions for new products and electricity generation. The Hindu newspaper reports that when fully developed, this waste management concept turns more than 80 per cent of existing waste streams into raw materials for new products and ‘‘offers new opportunities for economic and social development.‘‘

Talking to a group of visiting journalists, G.J. Eenhoorn, business developer, World Wide Recycling, said the company had received offers from India and for them "India seemed to be an interesting market."

He said the company was running a project in Bangladesh and since the conditions in the two countries were similar, it would be interesting to work there [India].

Moreover, sorting was already done at the household level in the cities where people sell paper, metal and even glass. The remaining waste was pretty clean, he added.

However, Mr. Eenhoorn clarified that they did not want to push away those dependent on sorting but work "with them" by giving them better working conditions and protection. On child labour, he said it was an issue that could be sorted out. Practical opportunities

The company assists organisations in identifying practical waste management opportunities and in taking necessary steps towards sustainable waste management solutions, renewable energy solutions and the production of bio fuels from waste. In The Netherlands, it operates with VAR and runs a multi-installation recycling centre where 1,100,000 tonnes of waste is processed every year, of which 80 per cent is recycled. Existing mechanisms

It has experience with 2 of the 3 existing mechanisms of the Clean Development Mechanisms (CDMs) and Joint Implementation under the Kyoto Protocol which offer local organisations the opportunity to earn extra income by receiving carbon credits through greenhouse gas emission reduction.

The company developed the AM 0025 - the CDM approved method of avoiding emissions from organic waste through alternative waste treatment processes.

The process is being implemented in Dhaka city where, once fully functional, the plant will convert 700 tonnes a day of municipal waste into compost that will be sold to the local farmers.

Besides, the project will also receive carbon credits as an additional income