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The Melitta Group has founded a recycling company in Bangalore/India to process and recycle plastic waste. The profits are to benefit charitable organisations and improve the working conditions of waste pickers.
With this initiative, the Melitta Group Fair Recycled Plastic contribute to solving the plastic waste problem. Together with the Yunus Social Business Fund gGmbH and its subsidiary Cofresco, a recycling company was set up in the southern Indian city of Bangalore. At the plant, the employees around 2,000 tonnes of recycled plastic from LDPE annually. (low-density polyethylene) film waste, which is then used in the production of Swirl and handy bag brand bin liners. The company procures plastic waste from socially-orientated waste disposal companies that are responsible for appropriate working conditions for their waste pickers provide.
As part of the develoPPP programme Fair Recycled Plastic is financially supported by DEG - Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH as part of a programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
"Fair Recycled Plastic is a flagship initiative of the Melitta Group. A significant part of our product portfolio consists of plastic. That's why we see it as our duty to contribute to the fight against plastic pollution of the oceans and soil."
Katharina RoehrigManaging Director at the Melitta Group and Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability
Fair Recycled Plastic is intended to be an innovative example of Sustainable plastics production and recycling and inspire other companies and players to take new paths.
The initiative is based on the principle of the circular economy, whereby plastics that would otherwise end up in nature, in landfill or in a fire are collected, processed and returned to the recycling cycle. The aim is not only to the rubbish on the streets of Bangalore reduced but local production will also create new jobs. Initially, 20 employees will work at the plant. Fair Recycled Plastic is also creating the conditions for better working conditions for many waste pickers.
Profits flow into charitable organisations
Cofresco, a subsidiary of the Melitta Group and Europe's market leader in household foils, has been awarded the contract for the new production facility in Bangalore, founded the company "Vishuddh Recycle". This is designed as a social business. This means that all profits generated are channelled back into the business or invested in improvements for the local community.
"We want to provide holistic support to the poorest section of the population in Bangalore and are therefore working with two organisations that provide better healthcare and additional educational opportunities for the waste pickers and their children."
Oliver Strelecki, Managing Director of Cofresco
The organisation in question is the "Smile Foundation", which runs mobile clinics through the poor districts of Bangalore to help them Free initial medical care to offer. "Hasiru Dala Trust conducts educational activities such as community libraries and workshops to promote the social, emotional and cognitive growth of children and work with them towards a better school leaving certificate.
Source: Melitta Group
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