IIM-Ahmedabad students work out tetra pak collection model

A team of students from Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has proposed a waste collection model that brings monetary benefits to every constituent in the chain.

The collection-at-source model was developed for Swedish food packager Tetra Pak after a pilot project carried out at Kalupur Railway Station in Ahmedabad.

The students believe the model can minimise environmental footprint and implemented for other companies and products. More importantly, it will help environment," says Sulabh Jain, a member of the student team. Tetra Pak cartons have an inner aluminium lining and card board or paper on the outerside, thus providing a good value to waste collectors after a carton is disposed of.

"Tetra pak runs recycling projects across the world. There is awareness in the Western countries and they divide waste into organic, recyclable and non-recyclable wastes. Volume of Tetra Pak in India is very less, but it is increasing in food and beverages industry and a value-chain will ensure recycling in higher numbers. The collection must be at source as the proportion of Tetra Pak cartons in total waste is very low and it is not possible to segregate them," he said.

These students are members of Forum for Industry Interaction (FII) at IIM-A, which partners with several such companies across India and abroad for student-driven consulting projects every year.