“Recognising the opportunities and potential for growth in aluminium recycling, Recykal aims to leverage its expertise and technology-driven waste management solutions,” Abhishek Deshpande, Co-Founder & COO of Recykal

AL Circle: Can you please share the journey of Recykal from its inception?

Abhishek Deshpande: Recykal was founded in 2016 with the mission to divert at least 5% of waste from landfills and channel it to recycling and reuse. It launched India's first managed marketplace in 2018 formalising the informal waste management system in India. Since then, it has expanded its services to include EPR, plastic neutrality, circularity platform, and IT asset disposal. It has received numerous national and international accolades, including recognition from the World Economic Forum and the Digital India Award from the honorable president of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

Solving some of the biggest challenges faced by the industry, Recykal has successfully channelised 700,000 tonnes of waste and spread awareness about effective waste management. Today, we have 400+ brands, 325+ recyclers and co-processors, 600+ urban local bodies, 3000+ service providers, and aggregators associated with us.

AL Circle: What are the services offered by Recykal to various customers and members?

Abhishek Deshpande: Recykal offers a comprehensive range of sustainability services to a diverse clientele, including brands, recyclers, aggregators, and government agencies.

For brands, we provide tailored digitally-enabled solutions to drive their sustainability objectives. This includes offerings such as EPR Loop, Plastic Neutrality, Circularity Platform, IT Asset Disposal services, and Digital learning with physical engagement activity Rethink - for schools and corporates.

Recykal’s Marketplace helps aggregators and recyclers of metal scrap, plastic, paper, and e-waste transact online with complete transparency and traceability. Moreover, it also helps recyclers to sell their recycled materials to sustainability-focused organizations.

Our digital Smart Center and Smart Skan solutions have helped Material Recovery Facilities improve their process efficiency. At the same time, the Deposit Refund System has proven effective in improving the recycling rates in various administrative regions.

AL Circle: What proportion of the entire volume on Recykal is related to aluminium?

Abhishek Deshpande: Previously, Recykal did not engage in aluminium recycling; however, the company has recently formulated plans to enter this sector. Recognizing the opportunities and potential for growth in aluminium recycling, Recykal aims to leverage its expertise and technology-driven waste management solutions. India, being one of the largest consumers of aluminium globally, has a growing demand for this versatile metal in sectors like construction, automotive, and packaging. Aluminium recycling offers benefits like resource conservation, reduced energy consumption, and lower carbon emissions. Government initiatives, such as the National Aluminium Policy and private entities working in the collection and processing of aluminium, create a conducive environment for the development of India's aluminium recycling industry.

According to the Indian Ministry of Steel, the recycling of aluminium requires only 5% of the energy used in primary production, making it an environmentally and economically viable option. Additionally, the Aluminium Association of India highlights that around 40% of India's aluminium demand is met through imports, indicating a huge potential for domestic aluminium recycling and reducing dependence on imports.

AL Circle: Please mention 3 key factors which, according to you, will bring major change to the sustainability outlook of the world. Do you think the present measures are enough?

Abhishek Deshpande: Three key factors that can significantly impact the sustainability outlook of the world are:

Technological Advancements: Continued development of sustainable technologies and innovations can lead to more efficient recycling processes, resource utilization, and the adoption of eco-friendly manufacturing methods.

Regulatory and Policy Changes: Stronger environmental regulations and policies can drive businesses and industries towards more sustainable practices.

Consumer Awareness and Behavior Change: Increasing awareness and education about sustainable choices can lead to a shift in consumer behavior, favoring eco-friendly products and services.

Recykal’s initiatives like DRS, Smart Skan and Rethink have been effective in influencing consumer behavior and creating awareness on environment and sustainability.

Regarding the sufficiency of current measures, while progress has been made, it's essential to acknowledge that there is still considerable room for improvement. The pace of change needs to accelerate, and a more concerted global effort is required to address the pressing sustainability challenges we face.

AL Circle: Do you think the young generation can get into the recycling-related business? How can Recykal support them in the future?

Abhishek Deshpande: Yes, the young generation can certainly get into the recycling-related business. Recykal, as a technology-driven platform, can support them by giving them access to a network of industry experts, market insights, digital tools and resources for efficient waste management, access to a marketplace for recyclables, and educational initiatives to help them understand the nuances of the recycling industry.

AL Circle: What are the 3 key challenges for the Recycling industry? What, in your opinion, can be done to remove them?

Abhishek Deshpande: Key Challenges for the Recycling Industry and Solutions:

Sourcing clean material: Contamination of recyclable materials is a significant challenge. Education and awareness campaigns can help reduce contamination. Recykal's DRS and SmartSkan projects help secure clean material.

Market Demand and Price Volatility: Fluctuations in demand and prices for recyclables can impact the economic viability of recycling operations. Recykal's marketplace has AI price prediction and demand visibility software.

Technology Gaps: Lack of technology integration affects operational efficiencies.

AI-driven tech solutions that Recykal offers, such as pricing, matching, operations & logistics, and finance engine, bridge the gaps.