Pollution Control Board cracks down; Thamarassery waste treatment plant ordered shut

KOZHIKODE: The Kerala State Pollution Control Board has ordered the closure of Fresh Cut Organic Products Pvt. Ltd., a waste treatment plant in Thamarassery, following persistent complaints from local residents alleging that it was causing serious environmental pollution. In a closure order issued on August 5, 2025, the Board Chairperson directed the company to immediately suspend all operations.

The action was taken against the unit functioning near Silver Sand Crusher at Ambayathode in Karimpalakunnu, Thamarassery. Residents had repeatedly complained that large quantities of waste from the plant were flowing into nearby residential areas, causing health problems.

The Pollution Control Board had earlier imposed a penalty on the company after finding similar violations. However, the pollution reportedly continued despite the action. The Board has now ordered the closure, citing the continued pollution, the company's failure to address the environmental issues and the difficulties faced by local residents.

Fresh Cut Organic Products was established to process slaughterhouse and poultry waste collected from various parts of Kozhikode district. However, the plant had previously faced allegations that it was processing waste far in excess of its permitted capacity. According to the complaints, the facility, which has a processing capacity of 20 tonnes a day, was receiving around 200 tonnes of waste daily.