FOOD has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited, (IL&FS), promoted by Public sector Financial Institutions and Banks of India including UTI, Central Bank of India and HDFC among others, with an objective of implementing socially oriented projects in the Infrastructure sector.

FOOD India and IL&FS share a common objective to develop and implement project(s) to utilize municipal solid waste being generated by Municipalities for producing and marketing organic manure thus clear space for future dumping.

The social objective of this MOU is to develop solutions for disposal of MSW through appropriate technologies such as, design site layout, design and establish plant and machinery for composting, marketing of produce etc.

Under the arrangement:

FOOD would undertake the following activities:

• Local support and coordination with ULB’s
• Provide local staff for the running of the projects. (Operation and maintenance)
• Identify potential buyers of organic manure and arranging for off-take agreements
• Identification of institutions which can certify the manure
• Identification of ULB’s for SWM and obtain necessary permits for processing MSW.

IL & FS would undertake the following:

• Prepare a business plan for the project. (Based on the concept paper) objectives, problems, solutions, how it is innovative, how it will be sustainable etc., and model replicability
• Arrange for grants for FOODs projects on solid waste management,
• Help in marketing of manure in the upcountry markets. (Developing the channels, contacts, branding, packaging)
• Provide technical assistance in terms of technology, site layout, plant design, civil structures etc.,
• Provide for managerial and administrative support (as required)

Phase one of the activity involves establishment of Infrastructure to process 2 million tons of existing garbage piled up and 165 tons of garbage generated every day in six municipalities.