If recycling were an Olympic sport, India would bag the gold

Though the West can be “credited” with making plastic part of our life, it is noteworthy that India could even win an Olympic gold, if a sport like ‘recycling’ was introduced. That is how young Mani Vajipey begins his talk, using data points to put India on a pedestal, if one goes by the humongous efforts made by the lesser known stakeholders – the kabadiwalas. It is heartening to note that the country ranks right on top, when it comes to plastic recycling and recovery in the world. Even the squeaky clean Singapore or North America and Europe have been left behind. And who should take the credit? Ideally, the “kabadiwalas, the bhandiwallas and the raddiwalas that we find at every street corner across every city in India. And yet, in spite of such a ubiquitous, extensive and intricate network of recyclers, India’s national scenery is dominated by filth and squalor. And the general perception is that we don’t recycle our plastics,” laments Vajipey. But hold on, it’s not all about India-bashing.

Vajipey is a man of action and it is his conviction that comes out strong. So seven years ago, he, with his friend and co-founder Raj chose to focus on this massive problem of recycling. Going around the city of Hyderabad and interacting with local recyclers got them super-charged. It struck the duo that this was no different from the milk revolution that Verghese Kurien, known as the ‘father of white revolution,’ had conceptualised. There is no need to re-invent the wheel.

While one may embrace the ideas of the West easily, to address challenges that are local, inspiration can be found in our own backyards, is the message Vajipey seeks to send out. Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan introduces the young entrepreneur in this Ted Talk, who has made a business by taking a mission-mode approach and setting the stage for a picture with a different yet distinct narrative. In ten minutes one gets to discover how even simple things can be converted into great, socially-relevant and sustainable business ventures.