The brands making the most progress towards their recycling goals are those that integrate sustainability into their core business strategies. Rather than treating it as a standalone initiative, they weave it into the fabric of their operations.
These companies are working closely with organisations that help plug into their existing supply chains, leveraging the principles of the circular economy to secure raw materials in a sustainable way. This approach goes beyond merely setting targets—it involves creating the infrastructure and partnerships essential to achieving those goals.
In recent years, there’s been growing attention on the circular economy—a production model that involves businesses and consumers working together to minimise waste through sharing, lending, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling materials and products. This model offers a stark contrast to the linear model by promoting resource efficiency and sustainable use. The circular model not only eliminates waste but also regenerates resources, turning what is waste for one process into a valuable input for another.
Plastic waste has increased at an alarming rate in India, fueled by rapid urbanisation, population growth, and economic development. In urban areas, the demand for single-use plastics and packaging materials has risen drastically. India’s per capita plastic consumption has grown to approximately 11 kg per year, and this number is expected to rise further with increasing industrialization and consumerism.
Let’s talk about something a little more sustainable. We all love our fashion products, but it’s time to think about how they’re made and where they end up. In the ever-evolving fashion industry, packaging plays a crucial role in shaping a brand’s environmental and economic impact. For brands committed to sustainability, making informed, strategic decisions about packaging is not just a trend—it’s a necessity.
Plastic offset schemes offer a promising solution, allowing businesses to compensate for their plastic use by supporting initiatives that remove or prevent plastic waste. While offsetting shouldn't replace efforts to reduce plastic consumption, it can be a valuable part of a comprehensive sustainability strategy. Here are ten innovative approaches companies can consider in offsetting their plastics.
The Circular Economy offers a transformative approach to our plastic problem. Unlike the linear “take-make-dispose” model, a circular economy aims to design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems.
It all starts with you. When you place your plastic items in the recycling bin, you're setting off a chain of events. In India, however, the formal waste collection system often falls short. According to a 2021 report by the Centre for Science and Environment, only 60% of India's plastic waste is collected. The informal sector, including waste pickers, plays a crucial role, collecting up to 60% of plastic waste in some cities.
The “Namma Mane” Project is a dual-intervention initiative that combines environmental sustainability with social impact. This innovative method employed by us involves recycling MLP into housing panels, which serve as a sustainable replacement for cement. This not only diverts plastic waste from landfills and oceans but also provides affordable and durable housing solutions for those in need.
The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including the marine environment, took place from 23rd to 29th April 2024 at the Shaw Center in Ottawa, Canada. Despite some progress made, the issue with the reduction of plastic production remained unaddressed with various environmental groups expressing their concern about it.
We took them to scrap shops where they met female entrepreneurs. We met Ranjini, a female businesswoman who had used the support from M.A.C to transform her life. When we arrived, she was so grateful that she had brought us coconuts and flowers. She showed the team the shed M.A.C and helped build for her. She was brimming with pride.
The world grapples with a growing plastic pollution crisis. Millions of tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year, harming marine life and ecosystems. To address this pressing issue, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC).
Explore The Body Shop's transformative partnership with Plastics For Change, pioneering the use of recycled PET from India. Witness their impactful journey from 2016 to 2024, championing fair trade, sustainable packaging, and empowering waste pickers. Join the movement towards a greener future with purpose-driven initiatives and a commitment to positive change.
Explore the choice between Virgin and Recycled Plastics. Discover the benefits of Fair Trade rPET, from food-grade applications to ethical sourcing. Future-proof your business with innovation and ethical practices. Join the revolution with Plastics For Change.
Explore the economics behind combating plastic pollution. Learn how INC3 negotiations tackle subsidies, boost recycling, and shape a sustainable future. Uncover the proposed elements for the Plastics Treaty.
Unlock the potential of EU regulations as a competitive edge for your brand with Plastics for Change. Explore sustainable solutions to elevate your brand's impact and success
Each year millions of tonnes of recycled plastic is imported from the global south to the global north. In fact, 58% of all plastic collected comes from the informal sector in emerging economies, while 50% of all the recycled plastic consumed in packaging happens in Europe.
Here are 6 questions to ask when sourcing plastics from plastic traders!
There are a ton of rules when it comes to what can and can't be recycled, and all those different symbols on products don't always make it clearer! So which choice should we follow? Here are some items that CANNOT be recycled
Following the principles of carbon emission taxes, Extended Producer Responsibility is a concept where manufacturers and importers of products bear a significant degree of responsibility for the environmental impacts of their products throughout the product life-cycle.
