Amid efforts to promote sustainable travel practices, plastic pollution remains challenging, especially in beach destinations and hilly terrains. Recognising plastic waste as a valuable resource, Recykal, a Hyderabad-based tech startup, believes that diverting ocean-bound plastic to recycling centres is crucial and has launched 'Samudramanthan,' inspired by the Indian myth of churning the ocean for nectar, aiming to tackle ocean plastic pollution.
It gathered 70 thousand metric tons of plastic from 207 districts in 19 Indian states through the 'Samudramanthan' initiative. Among them, 33 neighbourhoods border the coast, while 173 are near significant rivers. They cover a 10 km radius from these coasts. On National Pollution Control Day, Recykal announced plans to expand 'Samudramanthan' to include all 66 coastal districts in India.
Recykal's Samudramanthan initiative merges technology and sustainable methods to tackle ocean plastic pollution. It empowers local ragpickers by linking them to a vast network of recyclers across India. This provides financial stability and broadens their earning opportunities by training them to handle various plastic waste categories. As a result, their income rises significantly.
The initiative focuses on prevention and reduction by advocating for less single-use plastics, better waste management, recycling, and raising awareness. It underscores corporate responsibility and collaboration to preserve marine biodiversity and aid coastal communities.
After collection, the plastic gathered through the Samudramanthan Initiative undergoes recycling processes. Recykal ensures proper management and recycling of the collected plastic, enabling its transformation into new products.
Abhishek Deshpande, co-founder and COO of Recykal said, "The broader objective of this initiative goes beyond simply removing plastic debris from the environment. It aims to regenerate and sustain the natural balance of marine ecosystems by preventing further damage caused by plastic pollution. By collecting ocean-bound plastic, Recykal aims to restore the integrity of marine environments, protect biodiversity, and safeguard the well-being of marine life and humans dependent on healthy oceans. With this initiative, we are giving back to nature by reducing the negative impact of plastic pollution and promoting a more sustainable and resilient ecosystem for future generations."
When plastic enters the ocean, it degrades very slowly, posing severe risks to marine life, ecosystems, and human health. Plastic debris acts as a carrier for harmful substances, absorbing toxins from the water. These toxins build up in the food chain, impacting coastal communities, particularly those dependent on tourism and fishing.
