Trial begins to convert invasive water hyacinth into mulching material, value added products
A Coimbatore-based recycling firm has launched a trial project to convert invasive water hyacinth into mulching material and organic manure. The initiative aims to address the environmental threat posed by the plant while reducing irrigation costs for farmers.
Why it matters
It demonstrates a sustainable, circular-economy approach to managing invasive species that currently burden local government budgets.
A Coimbatore-based company that specialised in waste management and recycling has launched a trial project to convert the invasive water hyacinths found in water bodies into mulching material by shredding them with a machine.
Recompose Recycling Private Limited, WWF-India and Noyyalaaru Trust joined hands for the initiative, by conducting a trial at Sulur Big Tank on Saturday (August 8, 2026).
They collected water hyacinths from the tank and shredded them with a machine at the spot in the presence of Sulur MLA N.M. Sukumar.
“Water hyacinth poses a huge threat to most of the water bodies. The government and local bodies are spending crores to remove the invasive species. The conventional method is to remove them using excavators and dump them on vacant land. Our attempt is to convert the invasive plant into various value added products,” said C. Prashanth, one of the founders of Recompose Recycling Private Limited.
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