After successfully marketing the idea of cold pressed fresh fruit and vegetable juices, Amitesh Sharma, CEO of N Pressed, about what’s to be done with the bottles after use. While the two-year-old company takes utmost care to prepare juices in a hygienic environment, it soon started working upon disposing of the bottles. “Of the ones we collect and bring back, we hand them over to two different companies — USED and Recykal for plastic waste management,” shares Amitesh. Yet, he strongly believed it wasn’t enough.
As a result, the company made efforts to push the envelope in reusing the plastic bottles. “It was very important to find a way so that the bottles don’t reach landfills or dust bins without proper waste segregation,” says Amitesh. The results are visible at its factory in Cherlapally,where, on the terrace, hundreds of bottles are being washed and dried. The group of women in-charge of this process say these bottles are painted and used for various purposes, like decor on the walls of the factory. One can see that right at the entrance where stringed planters made with empty bottles are suspended from a sturdy frame on the wall.
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The supervisor mentions that all the planters are the outcome of a workshop and brainstorming session held with the students of JNTU on how to utilise the bottles. “The art work on the bottles is very basic as it was a project and our staff put their talent to use,” reveals Amitesh adding, “Basically we put our DIY skills to use and approached JNTU for more inputs. The idea worked well and they suggested various uses for the bottles — like the way we use our fruit and vegetable pulp to turn them into manure. To set the ball rolling, we started by using stickers with quirky messages on them. These have been shared in different offices and cafeterias and we are happy to see that they have been put to good use. The staff sent photos to us to show how they are using the bottles. Some are even using it as cutlery holder on their tables,” smiles Amitesh.
The next step to the process of recycling the bottles is to make them a part of school stationery — pen-stand, pencil box and a bottle for trinkets.
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Encouraged by the response from their clients with whom they shared their painted-stickered recycled bottles, N Pressed is turning these bottles into pencil boxes and giving it to less privileged children who cannot afford to buy pencil boxes. “We approached Classmate (student stationery product by ITC) and they are more than willing to collaborate with us. If a company like Classmate takes over, the bottles will get a better makeover. Our idea is to see them as inexpensive, yet attractive stationery,” he quips.
Planet Healers celebrates green initiatives. If you know an eco-warrior, email us at hydmetroplus@ thehindu.co.in