A Facility Management Wake-Up Call
Guwahati’s new biomethanation plant, designed to convert food and market waste into electricity, is operating well below its 5 tonnes/day capacity. The shortfall is due to a lack of organic waste supply — an opportunity for FM professionals to bridge the gap through better waste segregation and vendor collaboration.
- The Paltan Bazar plant uses anaerobic digestion to produce methane-rich biogas for power generation, but currently runs underutilized due to insufficient feedstock
- Since its commissioning, the plant has received waste mainly from hotels/restaurants; municipal garbage collectors haven’t contributed enough .
- With the city generating ~550 tonnes of waste daily, the plant’s lack of uptake suggests missed opportunities in organic logistics
- Environmentalist voices urge stronger civic-market partnerships and incentive schemes to boost segregation and supply
🧠Why This Matters for FM Teams
- Waste-to-energy solutions rely on consistent waste streams — FM teams can coordinate waste logistics and vendor agreements.
- Segregation and collection systems need rigorous checks — scope for FM professionals to design SOPs and train teams.
- Sustainable operations reduce expenses and promote greener credentials — aligning with energy and ESG goals.
💡 MrFacility’s View
This issue highlights a common FM pitfall: technology is effective only with proper process and collaboration. Without segregation management, operations like biomethane plants underperform. FM professionals can play a crucial role by orchestrating logistics, auditing vendor commitments, and facilitating partnerships — turning waste into power, not missed potential.
“Waste isn’t a problem — it’s an untapped resource.”
