Indian startup Ashaya has broken ground on a method for dealing with non-recyclable plastic packaging—that is, the low-value plastics that have been particularly difficult to deal with in a sustainable way. A good example of this material category is the bag that chips come in.
By employing technological and scientific innovations, Ashaya is able to convert this traditionally non-recyclable plastic packaging into granules that can be used to create sunglasses, marketed under the brand Without rSunglasses. The frames are produced through a patent-pending chemo-mechanical process that revitalizes plastic waste, providing high-quality products with properties similar to virgin plastic. As part of the business endeavor, Ashaya and Without rSunglasses empowers waste-pickers in the collection process by creating a profit-sharing model that directly benefits these marginalized workers and contributes to the education of their children.
Low-Value Plastic Recycling Methods
Ashaya Aims to Reuse Non-Recyclable Plastic Packaging
Trend Themes
1. Non-recyclable Plastic Repurposing - Ashaya is pioneering a method to convert low-value plastic packaging into granules for creating high-quality sunglasses.
2. Chemo-mechanical Plastic Recycling - Ashaya uses a patent-pending chemo-mechanical process to revitalize plastic waste and produce frames with properties similar to virgin plastic.
3. Empowering Waste-pickers - Ashaya and Without rSunglasses empower waste-pickers by creating a profit-sharing model that directly benefits marginalized workers and contributes to the education of their children.
Industry Implications
1. Plastic Recycling - Ashaya's innovative method for repurposing non-recyclable plastic packaging presents an opportunity for the plastic recycling industry.
2. Eyewear Manufacturing - By using chemo-mechanical recycling processes, Ashaya's approach offers a disruptive innovation opportunity for the eyewear manufacturing sector.
3. Waste Management - The profit-sharing model created by Ashaya and Without rSunglasses provides an innovative approach to waste management and benefits the waste-pickers community.