by Suman Gupta
21st June 2019, Mumbai: ‘Bottles for Change’ conducted an event on 21st June 2019 at Trident, Mumbai, to announce the excellent work done under this initiative. The programme aims to educate citizens about the importance of recycling plastic in our lives; bringing about a habit change of not putting plastic in waste, but cleaning it, segregating it and sending it directly for recycling. The event was attended by prominent personalities, Ramesh Chauhan (Chairman – Bisleri International), Anjana Ghosh (Director Marketing and OSR- Bisleri International), Vijay Merchant (Member of Governing Council, ICPE), Aditya Dalmia (Owner- Dalmia Polypro Industries).
While the whole of India and the world is struggling to solve the problem of managing Plastic waste, there are massive projects being undertaken to clean the rivers and seas of plastic litter. Bottles for Change brings in a revolutionary perspective to the whole Plastic menace, IT SAYS STOP TREATING PLASTIC AS WASTE AS IT HAS VALUE EVEN AFTER USE. If plastic is cursed for being Non-Biodegradable, then Plastic’s biggest Virtue is that it is recyclable several times. If we have to tackle the problem of the Environment then engaging every citizen and creating awareness about the correct ways to dispose Plastic is a Must.
The Bottles for Change program has created a complete value chain. Plastic is picked up right from the doorstep of a citizen & sent to the Recycler without involving any Waste Bins or Dump yards. THE KEY MESSAGE IS TO CLEAN PLASTIC BEFORE DISPOSING AS CLEAN PLASTIC CAN DIRECTLY GO FOR RECYCLING.
The event began with a welcome speech, felicitation of guests and an introduction of the initiative by presentation of the report card of all the work done in the Past One year, a run-through of the film on “Bottles for Change” and testimonials in form of ‘Model Society’. It was followed by a panel discussion on the future plans for the initiative.
The team also launched a Bottles for Change ‘Mobile App’ which aims to bring the citizens of Mumbai and the Plastic Collecting Agents (Kabadiwallahs/NGOs) under one roof. The app provides a hassle-free option to the citizens to search & approach a nearby plastic agent to handover the clean plastic. The plastic agents will in turn sell the used clean plastic to the recyclers who will make products from the same. Bottles for Change has been receiving a tremendous response from the citizens and as a gesture of contributing to society, the team will be placing 25 BENCHES MADE FROM RECYCLED PLASTIC at prominent areas of Mumbai. Every bench requires around 50 kgs of used plastic to make it. The event concluded by a thank you speech from the spokesperson of Bottles for Change.
Since its inception, ‘Bottles for Change’ programme has conducted over 200 plastic recycling awareness and collection drives and workshops in corporate offices, housing societies, schools, colleges and other institutions, malls, festive & social gatherings, events, etc. With over, 4,800 Tonnes Of Plastic recycled by Bisleri, ‘Bottles For Change’ Programme has reached out and successfully Engaged 15,00,000 Citizens, 600 Housing Societies, 150 Corporates, 400 Hotels And Restaurants, 200 Schools : 3,00,000 Number Of Students who have actively supported and joined the initiative.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Anjana Ghosh, Director, Bisleri said, “The problem is not that of plastic, the problem is of the irresponsible human behaviour and their absolute lack of knowledge about Plastic. The Plastic Pollution problem can be easily tackled, it only requires a determined effort by every citizen and law makers of India. We are glad to announce the progress made by the programme in one year itself. We have successfully achieved our aim to engage a large number of stakeholders in Mumbai, introduce recycled benches as a testimonial that plastic is recyclable, and also a mobile app that is sure to help in spreading the awareness about plastic recycling. Our further plan includes reaching out to additional cities of India, aiming to bring about such habit change and introducing more such platforms for the citizens contributing to a cleaner environment”.
‘Bottles For Change’ Programme is all set to work towards changing the habit of communities in valuing plastic as an effective resource as plastic is recyclable. It also aims to create awareness for a positive response from individuals with changed mindset(s) about plastic, recycling of plastic items and best practices towards a cleaner environment.
Bottles for Change Website: https://bottlesforchange.in/
