Ocean Plastic Forum, Kabadiwalla Connect, Gleco, and Desmi RoClean are leading a Danish-Indian initiative to recycle on-land and ‘ocean-bound’ plastic waste into recycled polypropylene big bags for industrial use.
The From Beach to Big Bags (FBBB) initiative is funded by Danida Green Business Partnerships and seeks to develop a scalable recycling model for ocean-bound plastic gathered through barrier systems, as well as inland waste collected by the informal sector.
It will operate in coastal peri-urban communities around Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and hopes to drive economic empowerment in the local community, as well as tackle the plastic waste crisis and establish a ‘socially and economically sustainable’ supply chain.
Plastic waste is set to be captured by Desmi Ro-Clean’s trash barriers before it reaches the ocean. Meanwhile, Kabadiwalla Connect plans to mobilize informal waste collectors, ensure they are paid fairly, and help them access their entitled insurance benefits.
Both collection streams will be processed into recycled polypropylene pellets and supplied to Gleco, where industrial big bags containing 30% recycled plastic will be manufactured.
This maturation project will run from January 2025 to June 2026 and initially aims to produce over 20 tons of certified rPP. This is hoped to prove that recycled industrial packaging is commercially viable, and the partners hope to scale operations and establish a continuous supply chain in the long term.
FBBB is also anticipated to become a scalable, profitable, and ‘financially sustainable’ business model, wherein industry stakeholders can join the push to expand sustainability-minded supply chains.
“Kabadiwalla Connect is thrilled to be a part of the FBBB initiative,” says CEO Siddharth Hande. “This project aligns perfectly with our mission to empower informal waste collectors and integrate them into formal recycling systems.
“We believe that by providing fair wages, access to insurance, and improved working conditions, we can create a truly sustainable and inclusive circular economy that benefits both people and the planet.”
“This project is a great example of how international value chain collaborations can drive real change,” adds Thomas Alstrup, head of Secretariat at Ocean Plastic Forum. “By combining the expertise of each partner, we can ensure that significant amounts of plastic waste are recovered from coastal areas and integrated into scalable business models that support the circular economy.”
“At Gleco, we are very excited about the prospects of the project,” adds Anders Holm, COO of Gleco A/S. “By integrating recycled polypropylene into our supply chain, we are demonstrating that sustainability and high-quality production can go hand in hand.”
In a previous episode of the Packaging Europe podcast, we spoke to Vikas Chhajer, chief sustainability and strategy officer at Sustainability Awards 2024 winner Gemini Corporation, about its GemCorp Recycling initiative, which seeks improve collection, sorting, and livelihoods in India’s informal waste sector.
On a broader scale, the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has amended India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules. Now market operators must provide plastic packaging information via an on-pack barcode, QR code, or unique number; publicize the compliance of market operators; and introduce sanctions for broken rules.
In line with these revisions, Tetra Pak has also announced that its packaging materials are now available with ISCC PLUS certified recycled polymers on the Indian market. If food and beverage packaging industry players adopt these materials, Tetra Pak hopes that recycling will become more economically viable and recycling rates will increase.
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