Alstom Foundation helps set up a BioOrja Plant (Biowaste-to-energy solution) for the Akshaya Patra kitchen in Vadodara

Alstom Foundation today announced the inauguration of a BioOrja Plant (Biowaste-to-energy solution) for the kitchen run by Akshaya Patra[1] in Harinagar near Vadodara. This bio-waste management project aims to recycle kitchen waste to reduce and replace hydrocarbon usage to save energy.

The BioOrja plant has a capacity to recycle 1.5 tons of waste per day producing around 2,500kg of LPG equivalent per month. This alternate energy source is considered to be a safe and environment friendly way of waste disposal, which will help prevent accumulation of waste thereby preserving nature. Alternately, the bio-CNG (compressed natural gas) can also be used for generating electricity.

On the occasion, Mr. Rathin Basu, Country President, Alstom India & South Asia, said, Alstom Foundation has always been at the forefront in supporting projects that combine economic development, social progress and environmental protection. Particularly through this unique project, we at Alstom are happy to make a positive contribution to the less privileged sections of society and the community on a whole, while greatly reducing the carbon footprint by advocating the use of alternative sources of energy.

The Akshaya Patra kitchen on an average, delivers 100,000 meals to children per day, representing 5 tons of waste every day. This kitchen reaches out to 1.3 lakh children daily in 1000 schools in Vadodara city and the surrounding rural areas. 

About Alstom Foundation: 

Alstom has been actively involved in campaigning with local partners around the world to improve the quality of life in the local communities neighbouring its plants, sites and corporate offices. Alstoms philanthropic arm called Alstom Foundation was set up in November 2007 that embodies environmental protection as a crucial commitment to the future of the planet. It aims to support public interest initiatives designed to protect the environment. 

For more information, please visit the link - http://www.foundation.alstom.com/ 

About Akshaya Patra Kitchens: 

Reaching out to over 1.3 million children in 22 locations across 9 states of India, Akshaya Patra is now the worlds largest NGO-run school meal program. What distinguishes Akshaya Patra from other mid-day meal programmes is the centralized kitchen approach, backed by technology driven process. Akshaya Patra kitchens, especially designed by engineers, leverage technology to maintain efficient processes, cook large amounts of food in a short period of time and thus keeping costs low and maintain the quality and consistency of food. The food is cooked in state-of-the-art kitchen facilities that have been designed and engineered from scratch by the Akshaya Patra management to optimize quality and minimize cost. 

Mechanization has minimized human handling of food to ensure high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. Steam heating has accelerated the cooking process, enabling the Foundation to prepare meals in large scale in less than five hours. Akshaya Patra also adheres to high standards of quality, particularly in newer kitchens that are designed to meet International Standard Organization (ISO) guidelines. Due to the uniqueness of Akshaya Patras model, its success in various parts of India, and in both rural and urban areas, and its ability to provide high quality nutrition at a low cost, the organizations operations are highly scalable, as is indicated by the rapid growth of the organization. 

Press Contacts 

Sapna Lalwani (Alstom India) Tel +91 120 473 1676 
sapna.lalwani@alstom.com

Website www.alstom.com

[1] Akshaya Patra is the worlds largest NGO-run school meal program which reaches out to over 1.3 million children in 22 locations across 9 states of India.