Farmer and Community Collection and Recycling of Flexible Plastics in Navdapanth, Madhya Pradesh, India (PPRS)

This project partner, which aims to create a circular economy to reduce pollution and improve livelihoods of local communities, collects and recycles plastic waste in Madhya Pradesh.

Like the rest of India this large landlocked state, a major agriculture producer, lacks waste management and recycling infrastructure. Littering is widespread and plastic is often openly burned in public spaces.

This project pays a premium for plastic waste from informal sector ‘rag pickers’ who collect plastic near the Narmada River, one of India's longest rivers, preventing pollution and preserving this vital water source. Waste pickers deliver the plastic to collection agents, who sort, bale and transport it to the project partner’s recycling facility, which produces plastic granules and pellets that are sold to companies as an alternative to virgin plastic.

This project not only collects and recycles plastic waste but also transforms it into PVC pipes, which they provide to farmers at subsidized rates as part of a buy back scheme that encourages circularity. This has increased the living conditions of the farmers and also lifted the growth of their crops with substantial irrigation measures

By recycling plastic waste, this project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize air pollution from plastic burning, and create valuable employment opportunities. This initiative provides full time employment to over 60 people, of which 40% are women, who were previously living below the poverty line. 

These credits, which fund the collection and recycling of flexible plastic, such as LLDPE and mixed layer plastic, will enable the project partner to pay more to supply chain partners and enhance the capacity of recycling plants, as well as invest into research and development for non-recyclable waste.