MUMBAI, July 2 -- In pursuance with directions of the Bombay High Court to the state government last year to constitute an expert committee and suggest methods for scientific recycling of Plaster-of-Paris (PoP) idols, the government on Wednesday proposed before the court a two-step recycling method which would make the PoP material fit for reuse. According to the report of the expert committee submitted in court on Wednesday, PoP idols must first be immersed in artificial tanks for at least three weeks to allow proper dissolution of paint, softening and partial disintegration of the PoP material, so that less energy is consumed during the subsequent grinding and calcination process. Urban local bodies (ULB) must collect the idols after three weeks and transport them to dedicated processing units, the report said. The high court had, in July 2025, directed the state government to constitute an expert scientific committee (ESC) to suggest methods for scientific recycling and reuse of PoP material. Accordingly, an eight-member committee was constituted on August 22 last year. In its meetings over the past year, the eight-member discussed the option of biological disintegration of PoP waste, but concluded that it was very slow and not technically feasible. It suggested a two-step method for PoP recycling - involving disintegration of the material using chemicals and calcination, to be carried out in a furnace at temperatures ranging 110-160 degC. The committee's report said though accelerated dissolution of PoP material requires a chemical addition in immersion water, further research was required on the chemical required. AFter immersion, the PoP material must undergo pre-drying, followed by coarse grinding and calcination to restore it to its original composition, and fine grinding to make it suitable for reuse. This recycled PoP can then be reused for making idols, plasterboards, medical plaster, ceramic sanitaryware and for construction work, depending on quality, the committee said in its report....