Community Collection and Recycling of PET in New Delhi, India (PPRS)

 This project partner recycles plastic collected by rag pickers from landfills, households, commercial buildings, and streets into plastic flakes, pellets and powders that are sold for use in a range of products, including water storage tanks, pipes and crates. 

Like many emerging markets, India lacks adequate waste management infrastructure. Landfills, which often burn waste in India, emit cancer causing greenhouse gases. Many rivers are clogged with unmanaged plastic waste, which ultimately ends up in the ocean. 

The project works with a network of aggregators who collect and segregate plastic waste across the Indian subcontinent, including LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PE waste, film waste, packaging waste, bottles, crates, pallets and more.  This project recycles the waste at its facility, which produces pellets, flakes and granules that are sold to companies for use in other products. 

A pioneer of India’s recycling industry, this project provides indirect employment to hundreds of collectors in the country’s large, informal waste collection sector. They aim to help eradicate poverty by providing regular, dignified work in an inclusive environment, empowering people to support themselves and their families, while working to eradicate plastic pollution.  

Additional financing gained through credit sales goes towards expanding collection and ensuring participants at every part of the chain earn more, motivating them to collect more plastic waste.