Bio Nest Challenge

BioNest is jointly run by Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) [under the aegis of Department of Biotechnology, Government of India] and Kerala Start up Mission (KSUM) [the implementing agency of Government of Kerala for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities]. Bionest will provide the platform to synergise the expertise & knowledge power of RGCB with KSUM's infrastructure and facility at Kochi.

Problem Statement

Development of Effective Waste Management Practices by The Application of Biotechnology

Waste management is one of the major issues to be discussed seriously in this highly polluted environmental era. Proper, safe and effective waste treatment is an inevitable mission for all over the world to ensure healthy life. The new generations are really aware of it, but proper guidance and supports are found to be insufficient.

Now, Kerala startup mission assist the younger mind to make God’s own country, a zero polluted state. There is a lot of job or business opportunities are hidden in this area but has to be dig out. Some the possibilities are discussing below.

Various steps of waste management

• Collection of domestic wastes or collection and segregation of wastes from municipality landfill site
• Processing of wastes according to its degradability
• Study the possibilities of
• Conversion of processed wastes to commercially viable products
• Market study for comparing the products for its quality as well as its economic viability

Biodegradable waste

Use of available or cheap methods of decomposing biodegradable ( food wastes, wastes from butcher, poultry waste, garbage) wastes to produce beneficial products.

1. Use of microbes to decompose the biodegradable wastes
2. Use of earthworms to produce manure (vermicompost) from biodegradable wastes
3. Production of methane gas from bacterial decomposition of biodegradable wastes can be used as fuel for electricity production. Methane gas can also be used as cooking gas
4. Septic tank waste management also possible using bacterial strains (development of bacterial strains for marketing)
5. Possibilities of microbial genetic engineering to develop effective strains for waste management

Non biodegradable wastes are now degradable

Development of plastic degrading bacterial strain to decompose plastics in safe mode( Eco friendly). Petroleum products like grease, petrol wax etc. can also be decomposed by bacterial strains (leakage of petroleum products in the sea, wastes from automobile workshop etc. can be subjected for effective treatments using micro-organisms).

Plants and microbes have significant role in the accumulation of heavy metals.

Employment of available source of plastic recycling and manufacturing plastic products in commercial level

Eligibility criteria / T & C, if any :

B.Tech, M.Tech, M.Sc Biotech, MSc. Biochemistry, M.Sc.Microbiology, MSc. Environmental Science. MSc. Zoology and M.Sc Botany.

Number of teams that will be shortlisted : 3

Rewards

Direct entry into the Idea Fest finals and a chance to win grant upto 7 lakhs depending on the stage of your idea, subject to the review and selection by the KSUM internal panel of judges.