Snack manufacturing company, Mondelez India has awarded a grant to Bengaluru-based NGO Hasiru Dala that will pilot a project to recycle multi-layered plastic (MLP) waste to build alternatives to plywood that can have both commercial as well as consumer usages.
The pilot, set to commence next month, will initially convert 600 tonnes of MLP waste per annum into WoW boards—that can be used to make furniture and even be applied for construction and building purposes.
The project was facilitated by Ubuntoo—a global environment solutions company set-up by former Cola-Cola India president Venkatesh Kinni. As part of this initiative, MLP waste will be collected by Hasiru Dala’s network of waste collection units and then processed and converted into recyclable material at a special unit set up in Bengaluru, Mondelez said.
The technology solution is provided by waste recycling equipment manufacturer TrashCon. “We have made a grant to Hasiru Dala that will convert waste to wealth, generate employment and create a viable business model while addressing the challenges of MLP in a sustainable manner. The success of this project and its learnings will create a model for companies in India to replicate for MLP recycling at scale,” Deepak Iyer, President, India, Mondelēz International, said.
“Hasiru Dala has been working with local government in Bengaluru to manage inorganic waste for several years by creating entrepreneurs out of waste pickers. We have always been looking for solutions to multi-layered and low value plastic. A study in 2018 has shown more than 80 percent of plastic waste collected is low value but bring almost nothing in terms of income to the centres. They typically end up at landfills or in co-processing in cement kilns. The WoW boards will help bring income to the waste pickers and will have applications particularly in replacing wood- based sheets in construction and furnishings.”, said Nalini Shekar, Co-founder, Hasiru Dala.
“At TrashCon, we have invented patented technology to convert MLP coming from houses, streets and even landfills into an alternative to plywood thus solving not only the plastic issue but also preventing incessant cutting of trees. We’re really pleased that Mondelez India is supporting Hasiru Dala in adopting TrashCon’s technology.”, said Nivedha RM, Founder, TrashCon.
The 600 tonnes of waste represent 10% of plastic generated by the sale of the company’s products in India. Globally, the maker of Cadbury chocolates and Oreo cookies has committed to reducing its environmental impact—over 97% of Mondelez India’s packaging is currently designed to be recyclable. In 2019- 2020 and in 2020-21, the company achieved 100% Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets in India, it said in a statement.