RECYCLER SAATHI

Past Project

Start Date: Jan 09, 2019

Bagmati | Madhesh

ANNUALLY, 15000 TONS OF WASTE PET BOTTLES ARE PRODUCED IN NEPAL OUT OF WHICH ONLY 12000 TONS OF WASTE PET BOTTLES ARE RECOLLECTED AND 10000 TONS OF THEM ARE EXPORTED ILLEGALLY.

Plastic pollution is one of the leading sources of environmental pollution, which causes a great challenge in maintaining a more sustainable environment. Amidst the challenges, even the smallest efforts to refrain plastic from entering the landfill can be a huge help for the environment and the community. Although there are a lot of challenges in plastic issues the environmental impact of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottles and its phenomenal capacity-to-weight makes it the best quality recyclable plastics with a low carbon footprint.

Recycler Saathi, initiated in 2019 and aligns with the vision of The Coca-Cola Foundation’s ‘World Without Waste’ and aims to create a self-sustainable waste PET bottle recycling mechanism in Nepal. The broader goal of the project has been to formalize the waste management sector of Nepal and create a reliable and sustainable recycling mechanism in Nepal.

In alignment with Recycler Saathi’s goals to establish a proper recycling system within Nepal and enhance the waste management sector, it has focused on recollection and recycling of waste PET bottles, capacity development, and livelihood improvement of waste workers followed by prioritization of attitude shift among households and institutions towards recycling.

To know more, visit: www.recyclersaathi.org

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WHAT LED TO THE START OF RECYCLER SAATHI?

Recycler Saathi is a waste PET recollection and recycling project initiated by CREASION with the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation and Bottlers Nepal Terai Limited. The project has been implemented across various districts of Nepal to streamline the collection of waste PET bottles divert their haphazard disposal from the landfill. The project aims to achieve this through the formalization of the waste management sector of Nepal which eventually also covers the upliftment of the socio-economic status of waste workers. Since its initiation in 2019, Recycler Saathi has already set a foundation for the attainment of increased recycling rates of waste PET bottles and has accelerated the project’s objectives as well as diversified interventions for the betterment of waste worker and mass awareness in youth and children.

HOW IS RECYCLER SAATHI ADDRESSING THE WASTE PLASTIC PROBLEM IN NEPAL?

When 1 ton of clean recycled PET is used instead of virgin PET, it results in a reduction of 2 tons of carbon emissions and conserves 48 million BTUs of energy. Since its establishment in 2019, Recycler Saathi has collected and recycled a total of 6,297 tons of PET bottles. This translates to a reduction of 12,594 tons of carbon emissions. This demonstrates Recycler Saathi's commitment as an environmental ally, significantly mitigating the carbon footprint associated with waste PET bottles.

WHAT IS THE COLLECTION AND RECYCLING PROCESS OF THE WASTE PET BOTTLES?

Recycler Saathi employs a dual-pronged approach for collecting waste PET bottles. The primary source of these bottles is direct collection from waste workers, while the secondary source involves obtaining them from various small Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) scattered across Nepal.

Once gathered, these waste PET bottles are transported to Recycler Saathi's own Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where they are meticulously compacted into bales for the recycling process. Subsequently, these baled PET bottles are forwarded to recycling facilities, where they are transformed into granules. These granules serve as the raw material for producing a range of items, including new bottles and various other products, contributing to the recycling and sustainable utilization of PET materials. This integrated process underscores Recycler Saathi's dedication to environmental preservation and waste reduction.

ARE THERE OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT RECYCLER SAATHI HAS VENTURED INTO?

Recycler Saathi has a number of activities addressed to different range of stakeholders. For the waste workers, Recycler Saathi has been initiating Occupational Safety Trainings, Health Camps, Accidental Insurance distribution, Capacity building training and many others. Likewise, for youths, many awareness programs are tailored for capacitating them in terms of environmental conservation and plastic waste management. Also, with the help of Waste Smart increases, knowledge base of young students about recycling, encourage and influence their actions for the good of the environment.

HOW HAVE WASTE WORKERS BEEN INTEGRATED INTO THE PROJECT?

We recognize waste workers as the primary agents of change for the environment. They are important players in the recycling industry and we acknowledge their hard work and contribution. Through Recycler Saathi, we provide them with health insurance, awareness, medical consultations as well as trainings to enhance their level of skills. Not just waste workers, workers but their families are also major beneficiaries of the programs.

HOW DO THESE PROJECTS RUN?

Most of our projects run in collaboration and partnership with different stakeholders such as the government, corporations, schools, colleges, and local communities. We love to connect with new institutions and build ideas for better activities and their impacts.