Dr OP Bhalla Foundation Recycles 34000 Kg Plastic Waste

As part of a grand celebration of International Plastic Bags Free Day, Dr. O.P. Bhalla Foundation of Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI) has created a motivating benchmark in eco-friendly sustainability by recycling 34,000 kilograms of plastic waste. This outcome has been a result of an ambitious venture under the social responsibility initiatives of the Foundation with a robust thrust for circular economy, empowering communities, and youth engagement.

What started in 2023 as a small Social Internship Programme of MRIS Sector 14, Faridabad, by students evolved into a strong environmental movement. Endorsed by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forest, Government of Haryana, the movement was initially conceptualized as a 15-day experiential learning programme. It placed students face-to-face with real-life plastic waste and sustainability issues and activated them as active agents of change in the environment. Among the attractions of the first phase was the inauguration of a copyrighted Waste Segregation Initiative. An e-handbook was designed and circulated extensively with Residents' Welfare Associations (RWAs) through WhatsApp and social media. This electronic awareness tool contained informative tips on the significance of segregation of domestic waste, paving the way for a city-wide awareness regarding waste management.

After the success of the campaign, the campaign continued as a bulk plastic collection and organized effort. In two years, the campaign collected 34,000 kg of plastic waste from residential locations, schools, and communities. Of the total amount, 24,000 kg was recycled to fabricate 12 long-lasting park benches, which now welcome visitors at the Manav Rachna campuses and the Government Senior Secondary School, Bhankhri. These installations not only function but also stand as physical representations of the commitment to green living by the community.

The remaining 10,000 kg of plastic garbage was given new use through Project Reborn, an intra-foundation initiative by the Dr. O.P. Bhalla Foundation and the Lakshay Foundation. This component of the project saw the plastic garbage being converted into polyester fiber, which further found application in the production of over 100 t-shirts as well as four dustbins. Even the production process of fibers was carried out with environmental concern, with less focus on carbon emissions and more utilization of resources.

Project Reborn also contained a robust social upliftment element in that it involved five economically challenged women. These women were given training in plastic recycling operations, handling of products, and sales marketing. Not only was their input valuable to the project, but it was also beneficial to them financially as each of them earned up to ₹20,000 through the sale of the t-shirts. This kind of financial inclusion is characteristic of the project's multi-faceted approach towards sustainability—balancing environment and social justice.

Further, the project motivated waste collection and sorting staff for their important contribution in the recycling process. In a gesture of goodwill, 30 t-shirts made as part of the project were presented to children living at the Government Boys Hostel, NIT Faridabad, taking the initiative of the Foundation to the welfare of society.

To create awareness and showcase the success of the campaign, an educational stall was organized at the Manav Rachna Campus. The stall was a hub of interaction and learning for student groups, teacher staff members, and campus visitors. People could witness the waste being transformed into something useful before their eyes and learn about plastic recycling science and strategy. On-site sales collected ₹12,000, which would be utilized as reinvestment in future project phases.

Along with the material products, the project also has a strong environmental impact. Reusing 34,000 kg of plastic itself is estimated to have kept a substantial amount of waste out of landfills and the environment. The project has saved nearly 15 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent to the three-year carbon footprint of three average Indian families.

The Dr. O.P. Bhalla Foundation's initiative is a classic example of how people's action, supplemented by institutional intervention and official patronage, can make a difference. In converting plastic waste into useful products, offering economic opportunities to poor women, and instilling ecological awareness in children, the Foundation has provided a model for sustainable development that others might emulate.

While plastic pollution is such a persistent problem for societies all over India and the world, efforts like these bring high hopes that things can be changed—bench by bench, t-shirt by t-shirt, bottle by bottle.