Formed in 1997, the voluntary organisation 'Thozhilali Karshaka Sangham' started with road blocks and other such modes of agitations to get their demand of a clean environment. However, E.O.Varghese, the Working President of the 7000-member organisation, had a Gandhian outlook to solve their problems. And thus under his leadership, the workers themselves took on the role of removing the heaps of waste. The Sangham did this by converting the waste into good quality organic manure that is being sold wholesale and in the organisation's brand name.

Based on the quantum of manure, the Sangham is able to give employment to 100 women. However, on an average, 50 workers find regular employment by this venture.

The coir pith is converted into manure by composting with leaves and cowdung. After 90 days, the compost layers are mixed, sieved and packed. Besides being a favourite with vanilla cultivators, the compost is used by plantations to retain moisture in the soil.

If the waste from coir industry had to be composted before being sold as manure, the waste from prawns peeling units do not require even that processing. Mere drying and packing are sufficient to make fish manure that too has many customers.

The members of the Sangham, only get nominal profit from this venture. However, the organisation is growing and if there were more working capital, the speed of growth could have been accelerated, feels Varghese.