In Post-Lockdown World, Recycling Will Be Key If We Have To Avoid Our Mistakes From The Past

The over two-month lockdown that began on March 25 was something unlike we have experienced in the past. But as India is opening up after the lockdown, there is a growing awareness about human actions that have led us to where we are now and the need to be more careful not to repeat something like this in the future.

One of the key changes many predict will happen is how people will become more serious about sustainability.

In the two months of lockdown, where almost all shops and other establishments were shut, a lot more people have depended on e-commerce platforms for everything from groceries to food. But these orders come wrapped in multiple layers of plastic and paper covers, which adds to our existing garbage crisis.

BCCL

But the recycling industry is gearing up for the challenge in the coming days.

"I think a lot more people have become overall conscious like the lockdown has taught a sure lesson to everybody. It's a question of 'survival.' What do you need when you can meet? Life, work? Right? And we have seen, I mean, everybody is conscious and the quality is better or the environment is purer, So, definitely like I think it's been a blessing in a way because People have been at reset, but considering the environment, they are more conscious," Monisha Narke, Founder and CEO, RUR Greenlife, a socio-environmental NGO said.

Like any other sector, the recycling industry too had suffered massively due to the two months of lockdown, which saw the breakdown of their supply chain from the ragpickers to processing and distribution came to a standstill.

BCCL

"The industry has come to halt right now, no doubt due to the complete lockdown. However, we have started operations within the government norms. Also, because of the scale at which we collect waste and cartons is not picking up very much, but we are operating at a possible level," Jignesh Shah, Founder, Deluxe Recycling said.

In the coming days when the lockdown is lifted, the industry expects an increase in the outflow of recyclable goods, including those people were holding on to as they did not want outsiders like ragpickers to enter their society.

"I think, people are a little concerned with some of the people coming from outside into the building like a Kabadiwala or anyone coming and taking the waste or picking. So, they will hold on to it being a red zone," Monisha said adding that "It is too early to say in terms of quantum of waste or measure because you know, nobody has a measure, normally we do the numbers like how much waste we will get on a monthly basis. But since we've not been able to collect directly yet we don't know the numbers or not in terms of numbers."

Mumbai-based Deluxe Recycling processes the garbage and makes them into usable furniture like table, chair, benches, and other items while RUR Greenlife focuses on making home composters and 'waste-to-waste' solutions.

Indiatimes

"We are looking at more at R&D right now, with the new product we can make during this time to develop products that we can launch over time. We are currently working on decentralisation technology, one of our core products being 'home composters' which turn kitchen-home waste into compost. So, through that composting is done. So, we have adopted a system which is a mechanical system which can handle from one kilogram to about 200 kg, a complex of 100-150g," she said.

She also felt that making the product more appealing will encourage people to buy more recycled products.

INDIATIMES

"We are developing a little better in terms of design and aesthetic appeal on that. And I mean we're using this time right now to come up with more options so that when things are all normalized, we'll be ready for some creative stuff."

INDIATIMES

"People need to be more conscious about what they are purchasing and make sure that it is sustainable, eco-friendly and recyclable. You know, the quality of food they are buying, the products, must be safer and healthier for them. So, they must take that extra step forward for themselves and the environment. Also, not just common consumers, but also the industries and others also step in, and contribute for achieving the same goal. We must spread this word as much as we can, for people in the post- COVID world must be more and more self-reliant, observant and conscious in each step," Monisha siad.