Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

DICCI & SIDBI Join Hand to Install 1,000 Plastic Reverse Vending Machines Under CSR

This initiative is intended to kindle a positive change in social behaviour of citizens by rewarding their responsible action of safe plastic waste disposal.
April 13, 2022
Plastic Reverse Vending Machine
Photo Credit: SIDBI/Twitter

As part of the CSR initiative to reduce carbon footprint, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DICCI) have announced the installation of 1,000 plastic reverse vending machines (RVMs). The release was announced under the initiative of Swachh Delhi, Swavalambi Delhi.

According to a press release, the measure was taken to create employment opportunities for entrepreneurs from the weakest sectors of society.

DICCI President Milind Kamble said, “It is our endeavour to map out the places for the installation of RVMs and oversee the maintenance of these machines. We are looking at installing up to 60 plastic reverse vending machines across Delhi NCR in the first phase. We have already in the process of installing up to 40 RVMs in Kashi. The idea is to cover every nook and corner of the country.”

Shivasubramaniam Ramman, IAA & S and CMD, SIDBI said, “I’d like to see more of these machines (RVMs) at as many public places like malls, metro stations, parks, etc., as possible. To be able to get plastic recycled will call for a whole lot more than just passion, it would take many more corporates to come forward and do their bit in reaching carbon neutrality.”

Karan Dhaul, Chairman and Co-founder of Theta Enerlytics, the implementing agency added, “India has about 5,000 registered plastics manufacturing or recycling units and about 1,000 unregistered units. This is far too less as compared to the amount of plastic waste produced annually (about 660,787.85 tonnes in India). So, we need a unified effort and active awareness to be able to process plastic waste.”

RVMs are machines with sensors that accept only plastic bottles and then process the plastic by shredding it immediately. The machine will reject any other object automatically.