Bisleri launches India’s first clean plastic segregation and collection center to fight plastic pollution
Mumbai: India’s plastic pollution is a formidable challenge. Consider this: The country generated 26,000 tons of plastic waste during 2019-2020, out of which only 60 of per cent was recycled. The remaining 40 per cent ended up in landfills or as pollutants in streams or ground water (Source: Central Pollution Control Board) only because plastic disposed in filthy condition does not get picked up for recycling and lies around as litter.
This World Environment Day, Bisleri, industry leader and India’s most trusted brand of bottled water, which has been actively working towards the cause of a cleaner and greener environment has launched India’s first clean plastic segregation and collection center at Marol, Mumbai. The Bisleri Showcase Centre is a part of the company’s ‘Bottles for Change’ programme, initiated in 2017 and aimed at creating awareness among consumers about plastic pollution and proper methods of plastic waste disposal. Since its inception, Bisleri has been able to recycle more than 6,500 tons of plastic while working alongside with local government bodies to create awareness as a part of ‘Bottles for Change’. The municipal authorities in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai, who have been a part of ‘Bottles for Change’ for over two years now have observed positive changes and a gradual perception shift in terms of plastic segregation and disposal.
Taking a step forward to reaffirm its commitment to a cleaner environment, the center in Marol is conceptualized on the future of segregation. With a capacity to process 25 tons of used plastic per month, the plant is built across 2,400 square feet on a plot provided by MCGM’s (Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai) K-East ward. What sets this facility apart is that it showcases how the right method of segregating and disposing plastic can help tackle the pollution problem. The interiors have been created using 1,50,000 MLP (Multi-layer plastic) recycled bags (biscuits, chips and chocolate wrappers) as partitions. For 100 sq. ft. area, 100 kgs of recycled hard plastic blocks (hard plastic like juice containers, food containers, toys, shampoo, conditioner bottles, etc.) have been used to build the entrance ramp, which is strong enough to bear load equal to 30 tons of vehicles.
The company is actively working with Mumbai Municipal Corporation, South Delhi Municipal Corporation, East Delhi Municipal Corporation, North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Panvel Municipal Corporation, Thane Municipal Corporation, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation. Bisleri has also worked with corporates such as Indian Oil, Western Railways, NSS Wing of Mumbai University, Bombay Stock Exchange, Godrej, JP Morgan, and Tata Consultancy Services amongst others. Currently in Chennai, Bisleri is working with Power Grid Corporation of India, Sundaram Medical Foundation amongst others.