• STOP PUTTING PLASTIC IN WASTE BINS. SEGREGATE CLEAN AND SEND FOR RECYCLING.

Mumbai, January 5, 2022 (GPN): Bottles for Change, a model designed under Bisleri Trust, has been actively working towards the cause of a cleaner and greener environment by creating awareness about the importance of plastic recycling. Bottles for Change has partnered with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to set up an installation to create awareness about the right ways of disposing used plastic. This first of its kind installation, located at MCGM K East Ward, was inaugurated on January 5, 2022 and is made from 320 kgs of recycled plastic. This was held in the presence of Shri. Parag R. Masurkar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Zone 3 (MCGM).  Mr. Prashant Sakpale, Assistant Commissioner K East Ward; Dr. Urmila Patil, Medical Officer of Health, K East Ward and Nikhil Kirtane, Assistant Engineer, Solid Waste Management. 

The K East Ward which includes Andheri East, Jogeshwari East, and Vile Parle East has 15 sub-wards and covers approximately 28 km.  The installation, which comprises a garden bench, school bench, flower pot, t-shirt, bag, floor tiles and dustbins, are made entirely of recycled plastic and are aimed at educating the public about how recycled plastic can be intelligently used in a manner that is sustainable. These recycled products are created and crafted by The Shakti Plastic Industries. 

Bottles for Change Program spreads awareness that plastic should not be considered as waste, it can be recycled if disposed responsibly. This model is easy to implement, all one has to do is clean their plastic after use, keep them separate in bags, give these clean plastic bags to their Cleaner who comes to the doorstep every day. The cleaner then can call the Bottles for Change Van or his nearest Kabadiwala, sell the clean plastic for a better value. The kabadiwala then sells this plastic to the Recycler and the chain is complete. There are various types of plastic which is segregated and then recycled to make useful products. The recycler converts MLP wrappers (Multi layered plastic) into MLP sheets to build products like Garden bench, school bench, fencing, tiles and many more. The HDP (High-Definition Plastic) gets converted to paver blocks and granules to produce products like flower pots, dustbins etc. The PET bottles are crushed into fiber flakes to create products like T-shirts, bags and many more. 

The display is also strategically positioned among more than 6,000 housing societies, 850 corporate offices, 70 schools, and 12 colleges. Visitors at the installation can also enrol for Bottles for Change program to pledge their commitment to reduce plastic, save the environment and be a part of the change. 

Speaking about this impactful initiative, Ms. Anjana Ghosh, Director – Corporate Social Responsibility, Bottles for Change, said, “We have always believed in mindful use of resources. Sustainability is here to stay. Plastic is a versatile material and disposing it in the right manner can help create immense value. Our Bottles for Change programme aims to create value to each of the stakeholder who are part of this circular economy chain. We are honoured to associate with the MCGM’s K East Ward for an opportunity to showcase to the people how recycled plastic can be used in multiple ways. Nearly 2000 people visit the K East ward municipal office daily, this installation will give them a real-life experience on different use cases of recycled plastic.” 

Plastic is perceived as a threat to the environment. However, if used and disposed responsibly, it can help to achieve sustainability goals. A crucial step in this direction is to clean the plastic after its use, segregate it separately and send it for recycling. This small but significant step has tremendous potential. If India could manage plastic waste better, the country has an opportunity to recycle 100% of its plastic produced and conserve the environment for generations to come.