By Bipin Sharma
TEN NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi (29/12/2023): India, a Nation of 1.4 billion, produces approximately 5 Lacs Tonnes of Plastic Waste every year. Of this, less than 10% of it is actually recycled. Since Plastic Waste is not Biodegradable, it is bound to stay in Landfills and Soil for more than 500 years, thereby making the Land barren. It’s a well known fact that Burning of Plastic releases Toxic gases which lead to rampant Air Pollution. This, in such a scenario, what are we really doing about it..
Well Visionaries like Siddharth Jain, Founder of Unplastik India seems to have some answers for this ageless problem.
As a Pioneer in Door to Door collection of Plastic Waste and Recycling it FREE OF COST, his organization “Unplastik India” has been collaborating with various RWAs, and aiding them to process & recycle maximum Plastic Waste.
Senior Journalist Bipin Sharma (BS) catches up with Founder of Unplastik India Siddharth Jain (SJ) to learn more about his ambitious plans and his long term vision for helping India achieve its “Net zero emission targets”.
BS- What is Unplastik India all about?
SJ- Unplastik India is a Self Funded organisation with in-house reprocessing plant in Gurgaon.
We are currently reprocessing around 1000 kgs of Plastic Milk Bags & Plastic packaging Film on a Daily Basis. I will urge all the like minded volunteers to join us in our endeavour to help India achieve its “Net Zero Emission Targets”. The key thrust is on Collecting and Recycling Plastic.
Citizens from all walks of life can come forward and become an “Unplastik Green Avenger”.
BS- How did the genesis of Unplastik India happen?
SJ- Looking at the Plastic waste being generated in our house on a daily basis, and I, myself being an ex-plastic manufacturer, the idea of recycling household single use plastic waste came into being.
BS- What is the basic concept of Unplastik India?
SJ- Door to Door collection of single use plastic waste so that it does not reach the Landfills.
BS- What are the ambitious plans in the pipeline for Unplastik India?
SJ- Manufacturing Innovative, Sustainable products from Waste, we are already in discussions with IIT, MIT & Michigan University to make Fabric / Shoes / Glue and Leather out of Plastic, and other waste that goes into the landfill.
BS- How do you aspire to make Unplastik India a mass movement?
SJ- We already have a recycling centre in Gurgaon (NCR). We hope to open one recycling centre in each district of India.
BS- Who are the key stakeholders that you will be engaging with, in your endeavour?
SJ- We will be engaging with the Government, Corporate segment, eminent Personalities as well as members of the civil society.
BS- What is the support that you seek from the government?
SJ- We will feel grateful to the government if they could help us propagate our ideas to a larger segment of the society, thus helping us create mass level awareness.
BS- How has the response of the society been so far towards your mission?
SJ- The response of the citizens has so far been overwhelming, and this in turn, has motivated us to work even more harder in helping our great nation achieve the “net zero emission targets”.
BS- What is the key objective of Unplastik India and how realistic are your plans?
SJ- Our key aim has been on reducing the burden on landfills and on creating “Circular Economy” with the waste being generated. The same is already being done in some western countries.
BS- What are the challenges that lie ahead for Unplastik India?
SJ- Frankly speaking, most of the problems stem due to the nonchalant approach of the local government agencies, and this poses a big challenge for us.
BS- What makes you believe that your concept will inspire a large segment of the society in times to come?
SJ- Our concept is already inspiring a substantive chunk of the society as many passionate volunteers are taking out time from their busy schedule for helping us.
BS- What is the USP of Unplastik India that sets you apart from others in the fray?
SJ- Our vast experience of Logistics and of Plastics, is what gives us an enviable edge over others in the race.
BS- What are the plans to tie up with Global players in order to expand the outreach of Unplastik India?
SJ- We are already in discussions with Top Scientists of the world, as well as with some International corporates. We are planning strategic tie-ups for use of technology that they have already developed.
BS- How will you motivate the common man to become an integral part of Unplastik India?
SJ- Our first step in this direction will be by distributing some of our products to the BPL citizens free of cost. This will be ensued by undertaking other key initiatives.
BS- How can Unplastik India collaborate with the Central and the State governments in its Mission of reducing the carbon footprints?
SJ- We will achieve this by initiating to pick waste in totality and ensuring 100% recycling of the same. For this Project, we will need the infrastructural support from the government.
BS- What are the various activities that you have planned and conceptualized for spreading widespread awareness amongst masses towards mitigating the use of plastic in their day to day lives considering its myriad hazards?
SJ- We have planned numerous activities and campaigns in creating mass level awareness towards mitigating the use of plastic from our day to day lives. Besides, Citizens need to pledge themselves towards ‘environment’.
It is imperative on the part of the citizens to keep a tight vigil on those polluting the environment. Citizens have to inform the concerned authorities in case they witness illegal factories causing hazardous pollution. Citizens across
the length and breadth of the country should be motivated to pledge themselves for germane causes such as environment protection and safeguarding the Planet Earth from the perils of Global Warming.
Collective, sincere efforts by government and citizens will undoubtedly help improve the overall air quality, thereby
ensuring a healthy lifestyle for one and all.”
BS- Do you intend to involve the youth brigade in achieving your targets?
SJ- Unplastik India has already started spreading awareness amongst different Schools and Colleges, and are encouraging students to be part of our Movement. We are initially also offering them some Incentives in order to motivate them.
