“We’re not just building a waste supply chain — we’re building a connected ecosystem that turns plastic waste into opportunity.”
— Aditya Pareek, Business Development Head, Race Eco Chain Ltd.

Why Plastic Waste Needs a System, Not Just a Solution

India generates over 3.4 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. Most of it either ends up in landfills or leaks into oceans and urban ecosystems. The problem isn’t just the volume — it’s the disconnect between the waste sellers and buyers who can actually make the change.

Today, recyclers are actively searching for clean, sorted plastic waste. Meanwhile, brands are under pressure to meet their EPR and ESG compliance targets. However, the informal waste workers, who handle nearly 90% of all plastic waste collection, remain invisible in the system, with no formal support, recognition, or data to back their contribution.

Understanding the Plastic Waste Supply Chain (and Why It’s Broken)

A typical plastic waste supply chain involves:

• Collection (mostly by informal waste pickers)
  
• Aggregation (mostly done by scrap dealers)
  
• Processing or recycling (mostly done by authorized recyclers)
  
• Brand reporting (mostly done by producers or obligated entities under EPR)
  

But here’s the thing: there’s no standard flow of verified data, which means:

• Brands can’t always prove they met their sustainability targets
  
• Recyclers receive inconsistent or contaminated inputs.
  
• Waste workers are excluded from formal benefits.
  
• ESG reporting is built on weak or unverifiable data
  

This isn’t just inefficient. It’s a lost opportunity.

How a Connected Ecosystem Changes the Game

When we talk about a connected supply chain, we mean one where:

• Every actor is digitally linked and verified
  
• Every transaction is traceable and transparent.
  
• Every kilogram of waste is accountable.
  
• Every stakeholder—from the waste picker to the ESG auditor—has real-time data access.
  

This kind of system ensures:

• Organizations confidently meet EPR mandates.
  
• Material flows are verified for quality and origin.
  
• Recyclers get better inputs, faster.
  
• Informal collectors are integrated into formal systems, gaining access to stable income and recognition.
  
• Brands and stakeholders get auditable ESG and sustainability data.
  

What Does It Take to Build This?

1. Technology: App-based collection, traceability systems, smart tagging, blockchain for audit trails
   
2. On-ground Networks: Waste collectors, aggregators, and recyclers working in sync
   
3. Policy Alignment: Mapping systems to EPR and CPCB guidelines
   
4. Incentives: Rewarding accountability across every layer — from picker to processor
   

This isn’t just about compliance. It’s about building a system that works for India.

So, Where Do We Fit In?

Today, recyclers are actively searching for clean, sorted plastic waste. Meanwhile, brands are under pressure to meet their EPR and ESG compliance targets. However, the informal waste workers, who handle nearly 90% of all plastic waste collection, remain invisible in the system, with no formal support, recognition, or data to back their contribution.

More than that, we’re not just providing a service — we’re also building infrastructure for traceability, access for recyclers, and opportunity for every stakeholder in the plastic waste lifecycle.

So, if you’re a brand, a recycler, or even a policy observer curious about building future-ready systems in India, let’s connect — we’d love to share how we’re making it happen.

Let’s Rethink Waste — Together.

FAQs

1. What does Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mean for managing plastic waste?
EPR makes producers responsible for managing the plastic waste their products generate. This includes collecting, recycling, or co-processing waste after consumer use.

2. Why are informal waste workers critical to the supply chain?
They collect and sort the majority of India’s plastic waste. Without their efforts, the system collapses. And yet, they remain unrecognized, unpaid, and unsupported in many places.

3. How can companies track their plastic waste responsibly?
We make this possible by partnering with verified aggregators and using digital traceability tools to record collection, material type, and recycler engagement.

4. Is ESG reporting dependent on waste traceability?
Global brands operating in India increasingly require accurate, auditable waste data for their sustainability and ESG disclosures.