Mondelez India announced a grant to Hasiru Dala, a Bangalore-based NGO for recycling Multi-Layered Plastic (MLP) waste to create sustainable furniture boards for creating tables, benches and for other uses. The pilot project will use the technology purchased from start-up TrashCon, to convert ~600 tonnes of MLP waste per annum into ‘WoW Boards’. The project was facilitated by Ubuntoo, a global environment solutions company.
WoW Boards are known to be highly durable and a sustainable plywood alterative for building, construction, furniture, and other end uses. Deepak Iyer, President, India, Mondelēz International said, “The success of this project and its learnings will create a model for companies in India to replicate for MLP recycling at scale. We are very excited to pilot this initiative.”
Venkatesh Kini, Co- Founder of Ubuntoo noted, “Ubuntoo works with thousands of innovators and entrepreneurs around the world to address some of the planet’s biggest environmental challenges. This pilot project is especially exciting because it has global potential to help solve not just plastic waste, but also reduce the huge environmental footprint of the building and construction industry.”,
As part of this initiative, MLP waste will be collected by Hasiru Dala’s wide network of waste collection units and then processed and converted at a special unit set up in Bangalore into recycled ‘WoW Boards’, which is a highly durable and efficient alternative to plywood. The technology solution, provided by TrashCon, a start-up waste recycling equipment manufacturer, will create highly durable WoW Boards that can be used for a variety of purposes – both industrial and consumer. The initiative through funding by Mondelez India and in partnership with its impact investing arm, Sustainable Futures, is expected to begin commercial production in July 2021.
“Hasiru Dala has been working with local government in Bengaluru to manage inorganic waste for several years by creating entrepreneurs out of waste pickers. We have always been looking for solutions to multi-layered and low value plastic. A study in 2018 has shown more than 80 percent of plastic waste collected is low value but bring almost nothing in terms of income to the centres. They typically end up at landfills or in co-processing in cement kilns. The WoW boards will help bring income to the waste pickers and will have applications particularly in replacing wood- based sheets in construction and furnishings.”, said Nalini Shekar, Co-founder, Hasiru Dala.
“At TrashCon, we have invented patented technology to convert MLP coming from houses, streets and even landfills into an alternative to plywood thus solving not only the plastic issue but also preventing incessant cutting of trees. We’re really pleased that Mondelez India is supporting Hasiru Dala in adopting TrashCon’s technology.”, said Nivedha RM, Founder, TrashCon.
Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) is based in over 150 countries around the world. With 2020 net revenues of approximately $27 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as OREO, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milk and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Trident gum.
Mondelēz International is a member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Mondelez India Foods Private Limited (formerly Cadbury India Ltd.) has been present in India for over 70 years.
