500+ tons of MLP waste is economically recycled while generating revenue for waste workers

• Plastic packaging and Multi-Layered Plastics (MLP) contribute to food safety by effectively addressing key issues like adulteration, contamination, and infestation. However, plastic pollution is a major contributor to landfill waste across India, with MLP waste being particularly difficult to recycle. In line with their vision for recyclable and zero net waste packaging, Mondelēz India wanted to identify and deliver a techno-commercially viable solution to recycle the MLP waste from their products. 

• Ubuntoo partnered with Mondelēz to identify a unique 3-way business model to pilot a revolutionary upcycling program in India with immense scaling potential. We created an MLP upcycling GreenHouse
  for Mondelēz and launched an exhaustive search of our database and network to find solutions spanning three categories: solid waste collection, sorting, and upcycling/recycling. We identified HasiruDala, a social impact NGO, and TrashCon, a waste recycling equipment manufacturer, as the lead solution partners. 
• Upcycling refers to the transformation of waste materials into products which are better in quality or function without altering its fundamental composition through physical or chemical treatment. MLP waste will be recovered by the HasiruDala team’s wide network of waste collection units, processed, and converted into “WoW Boards,” a highly durable and efficient plywood alternative that can be reintroduced into the market to help the community. These boards can then further be used to make planters, desks, and chairs for school children, or in the furniture industry. 

• Key results from this project included delivering a robust end-to-end solution from solution search, ideation, detailed business case development, contract facilitation, schedule management, and execution.
• This initiative enables 500+ tons of MLP waste from Mondelēz India to be economically upcycled while generating revenue for waste workers.