FY 2023-24 1
FY 2023-24 2
FY 2023-24 We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it. Barak Obama 3
RECIRCLE IMPACT REPORT 2023-24 TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword 4 Founders’ Note 6 1. Executive Summary 8 1.1 Transforming Waste, Lives, and Landscapes 1.2 ReCircle’s Accomplishments In 2023-2024 1.3 Contributing To Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 1.4 Contribution To Sustainable Development Goals 1.5 ReCircle’s Commitment To Ethical Circularity 2. About ReCircle 2.1 Driving Value Through Services 2.2 The People 2.3 Partners 3. Key Milestones 3.1 Award & Recognitions 3.2 Conferences 3.3 Media Spotlight 2 9 11 14 16 18 20 22 26 30 32 32 33 34
2023-24 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4. Paving The Path To Ethical Circularity 36 4.1 Recover & Recycle- The 2Rs For The Organisations 4.1.1 Extended Producer Responsibility 4.1.1.1 ClimaOne 4.1.2 Plastic Neutral Program 4.1.3 Zero Waste Initiatives 38 40 42 44 46 4.2. Rethink- The 1R For The Individuals 4.2.1. Community Engagement And Awareness 4.2.2. Collection Drives 50 51 52 5. Way Forward 54 5.1. Entering Into New Supply Chains 5.1.1 Textile Recovery Facility 5.1.2 Footwear Waste Recovery 55 55 56 5.2. Circularity: A Complete End-To-End Solution 5.3 Partnerships: Building Capacity And Accountability 5.4 Technology: Driving Efficiency And Transparency 5.5 People And Community: Empowering The Backbone Of Circularity 57 57 57 57 6. Case Studies 58 3
RECIRCLE IMPACT REPORT 2023-24 FOREWORD T he first time I learned about Rahul Nainani and Gurashish Singh Sahni’s organisation, ReCircle (formerly RaddiConnect), was while I was working as the Head of Circular Economy at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in India. At the time, I was interested in connecting with waste segregators in the plastic waste management sector, and found the name “RaddiConnect” intriguing, passionate and catchy. Eight years later, I continue to serve on ReCircle’s Board of Advisors and support the Founders. Over the years, I have witnessed the team’s commitment to learning, growth, and adapting to industry changes. ReCircle’s inclusive model, which successfully combines processes and profit with purpose, has helped the organisation become a category leader. What sets ReCircle apart is their focus on involving people in innovative initiatives, such as Diwali collections, empowering Safai Saathis (waste pickers), and digitizing India’s waste supply chain. They achieve this by collaborating with 4 all key stakeholders—corporates, waste collectors, processors, and informal waste workers (Safai Saathis). This inclusive and community approach ensures a more efficient and sustainable waste management system. ReCircle’s nimble execution strategy has fostered a unified and passionate team, positioning the organisation for future growth in today’s triple planetary crises to three interrelated global environmental challenges that threaten human well-being and the health of the planet. Addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. ReCircle has made impressive strides by diverting nearly one lakh cubic meters of waste from landfills, reducing the need for virgin material production, and achieving significant milestones detailed in this report. We are currently facing a global dilemma and growing insecurity around waste management. In this context, organisations like ReCircle offer a significant opportunity, ideas and modernizations for the country. Their success underscores the potential of innovative solutions in waste management and sustainability,
2023-24 FOREWORD particularly in the face of industry challenges. Although waste is inevitable, ReCircle’s long-term vision, strong value systems, consultative, and participatory approach will enable them to overcome obstacles into opportunities and drive meaningful changes in the ecosystem. I’m excited to see them lead the way in waste management and ethical circularity. It’s been more than a joy to be a part of their journey. Wishing one and all in ReCircle to be more passionate, sensitive of what they are doing to propel the movement towards VIKSIT BHARAT. Prabhjot Sodhi, MBE Sr. Program Director ( Circular Economy) & Director MRAI(Hon.) For Jal Shakti Ministry GOI, Thematic Partner-Plastics & Dry waste (Pan India) and State Lead for Goa, Gujarat and Odisha, Center For Environmental Education (CEE) 5 7 7.
2023-24 FOUNDERS’ NOTE FOUNDERS’ NOTE I n 2016, NASA’s image of a fire at Mumbai’s Deonar landfill highlighted India’s escalating waste crisis, with the site receiving over 3,700 tons of waste daily and a life expectancy of just 38 years for nearby residents. This stark reality drove us to start ReCircle with a mission to transform India’s waste management and promote a world where no resources are wasted. As a data and supply chain company, our focus is on digitizing India’s waste supply chain by collaborating with stakeholders from brands and collectors to processors and informal waste workers (Safai Saathis). To support this, we created ClimaOne, an innovative climate-tech platform offering realtime plastic credit tracking and endto-end traceability, strengthening our leadership in advancing the circular economy. After driving circularity in plastic waste, expanding into textiles seemed like a natural progression. In 2023, we researched the textile waste ecosystem in India and identified how we could contribute to addressing another growing environmental challenge. We measure success by the impact 8 6 we create: diverting over 161,858 MT of waste from landfills and oceans across 310 cities, benefiting 3,590+ Safai Saathis. Beyond our societal and environmental impact, we made strides in other core focus areas. We launched Mumbai’s first semi-automated Material Recovery Facility and partnered with 60+ progressive brands. We showcased our vision at the Clinton Global Initiative, GSMA MWC (Barcelona), and GSMA M360 APAC Summit (Seoul), while raising our pre-Series A round from Flipkart Ventures, 3i Partners, and Acumen Fund Inc., highlighting growing investor confidence in India’s clean-tech ecosystem. Looking ahead, we aim for end-toend circularity in plastics, expand textile waste recovery, and build more partnerships, while increasing capacity for our Safai Saathis and collection partners. We understand that building something truly meaningful takes time. From the very beginning, our goal has been to give our very best—every step of the way. We’re here to inspire millions of Indians, and to create something even more incredible than we ever imagined back in 2016.
2023-24 FOUNDERS’ NOTE Is our trash someone else’s problem? - this is the mindset we set out to change when we launched in 2016. Today, our mission is to transform India’s waste management ecosystem and promote a world where no resources are wasted by focusing on ethical circularity. Rahul Nainani Co-Founder & CEO Rahul Nainani Gurashish Singh Sahni Co-Founder & CEO Co-Founder & COO 7 9
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