AI robotic integration for segregating plastics. Plastics circulatory initiative launched with SHGs

Partnering with SHGs and recognising ragpickers as a solution, along with AI robotic integration for segregating plastics, ReSustainability (ReSL), in collaboration with Sharrp Ventures, announced the launch of a plastics circularity initiative with a capacity of 24,000 tonnes unit in Hyderabad.
Explaining the initiative at the Taj Deccan on Tuesday, MD & CEO of ReSustainability Massod Mallick said, “The challenge will not get easier, as the correlation between plastics and GDP is significant.”
He stated that plastics are not going away and highlighted three main issues beyond the environmental challenge: First, the carbon dimension, where crude oil and fossil fuels are converted into plastic (since plastics come from drilling); and second, the carbon impact, which involves consuming and emitting more carbon. He also mentioned the third issue of importing crude oil, noting that India imports 18 per cent of its crude oil, which has high costs and geopolitical impacts, leading to further carbon problems.
Mallick explained that through this collaboration, they have developed the 3 I’s: Integration – Covering all elements of the waste ecosystem, starting at homes. Innovation – Using robotics and AI, in partnership with Marico and ReSustainability, to segregate and recycle sanitary pads. Inclusion – Starting with children for social change, involving informal sectors (like ragpickers) as part of the solution, and forming partnerships.
Massod said this will be the first fully integrated, scalable initiative in the coming years. He mentioned the pilot unit in Hyderabad and another in Raipur, with plans to expand significantly with hundreds of crores in investment.
He also explained that recycled products are sold to aggregators who cannot always see the quality. SHG groups will collect waste and AI robotics will segregate plastics, which will then be sent to different plants. He noted that Hyderabad has 600 tonnes of plastics and announced plans to start with one large urban city like Hyderabad and, after operating two large pilot units, expand to 25 cities across the State in the future.