Innovative Recycling Machine Set to Save 3000 Kg of Paper Waste from Landfills Monthly

Indic Initiatives' revolutionary end-to-end recycling technology tackles hard-to-process paper waste and transforms it into reusable resources, promoting sustainability at the source.

Indic Initiatives, founded by B G Seetharaman, Vinay Kumar, and Rajeeva Deekshit, has introduced a cutting-edge solution to tackle one of India’s growing environmental concerns—paper waste disposal. Their machine is designed to recycle difficult-to-process materials such as paper cups, tetra paks, and tissues, which are typically coated with plastic or aluminium and often contaminated with beverages. This innovation promises to divert over 3000 kg of waste from landfills each month, offering a sustainable and scalable solution to the waste crisis.

The technology was born during the COVID-19 pandemic when Seetharaman, founder of BG Boutique Paper Mills, faced the challenge of keeping his handmade paper business afloat. Teaming up with Kumar, a social entrepreneur, and Deekshit, a green chemical expert, they focused on developing a machine that could process waste at the source, eliminating the need for transportation to distant recycling plants. Their goal was to create an end-to-end recycling solution that would not only manage fibrous agricultural waste but also deal with complex, hard-to-recycle paper products.

The machine works through a multi-stage process where paper waste is separated into its component parts—plastic, aluminium, and paper pulp. The pulp is then transformed into high-quality pulp boards that can be reused to manufacture paper or molded products. The machine also efficiently handles hazardous silicone and plastic coatings, ensuring a clean separation of materials and producing no effluents. This eco-friendly design makes the machine a zero-waste solution.

In addition to handling paper waste, Indic Initiatives also aims to recycle agricultural waste. For instance, banana stems can be processed without releasing liquid waste, turning the sap into a liquid fertilizer. With capacities ranging from 50 kg to 1 tonne of waste per day, the machine is suitable for use in a variety of settings, including rural areas, malls, and airports. By allowing waste to be processed at the source, it significantly reduces the environmental and logistical costs associated with transporting waste to central recycling plants.

The startup has already received recognition for its innovative approach, winning awards such as ELEVATE Karnataka 2023 and Nidhi Prayas 2023, which provided the funding to set up a pilot plant in Chikkamagaluru. Now, with successful trials and a proof of concept, Indic Initiatives is in discussions with local governments and businesses to roll out their technology, bringing the vision of a sustainable, circular economy closer to reality.

Reference:

thebetterindia.com