Waste To Conservation - iD’s Innovative Approach To Recycling
As more and more businesses embrace environmentally and socially responsible practices, it is becoming increasingly evident that economic growth can coexist with a healthier planet. India’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, in particular, has been adopting innovative and sustainable solutions to address the long-standing challenge of reducing plastic waste.
iD Fresh Food, the Bengaluru-based fresh food brand, is not just cutting down on its plastic waste, but also “making the most out of it” through unique recycling practices. The company, which caters to over 45cites, across 30,000 retail stores in India, UAE and US, has implemented an impressive closed-loop recycling program, with nearly 62% of its 660 tonnes of plastic waste being recycled. The goal is to achieve a recycling rate of 100% within the next four months.
“India is facing a critical issue with the inadequate management of plastic waste, and we are stepping up to address this challenge,” says GLN Murthy, Chief Manufacturing Officer,iD Fresh Food. The process of recycling plastic waste at the organisation is meticulous, with material being shredded, washed, and segregated to ensure its cleanliness and durability.
“We have introduced a revolutionary approach of creating transportation crates from used packets, which are cost-neutral when compared to virgin crates and have a lifespan of 1.5 years,” informs Murthy. The company has also been retrieving multi-layered plastics from the environment, aiming for a circular economy with zero plastic waste. “For every product we sell, we retrieve an equal amount from the environment,” maintains the Chief Manufacturing Officer, who is a staunch advocate of responsible consumption practices.
Given that the FMCG sector in India contributes to nearly 25%-30% of plastic waste, the brand’s Food’s unique approach towards sustainability is setting an inspiring example for creating a greener and healthier future. Given the industry’s dependence on high volumes of plastic to transport products, it’s imperative to take active measures to reduce plastic consumption and reuse the plastic effectively in day-to-day operations.
At iD Fresh Food, plastic waste is repurposed into valuable products, such as crates that are used to transport the products. “It is the most sustainable way of recycling, in terms of CO2 emissions and the environment. It is also cost-effective for larger volumes, making it an ideal solution for waste management,” says Murthy.
Since its inception in 2005, the company has been at the forefront of innovation to revolutionise the way customers consume fresh food at home. Last year, the company raised INR 507 crore in Series D round of funding, in one of the largest deals in the food start-up space.
In today’s day and age, business growth calls for the need to constantly explore new ways to cut down the carbon footprint, promote responsible sourcing, and support local communities. These are critical components in building a more sustainable economy.
Recycling the iD way
