DUBAI – Technology can play a crucial role in enhancing the recycling industry, which remains in its infancy with limited investments and focus compared to traditional extractive industries, said Pranshu Singhal, the founder of Karo Sambhav, in an interview with TRENDS.
Established in 2017 with the mission of ‘Making Circular Economy Possible’, Karo Sambhav has been forging a grassroots ecosystem to establish a comprehensive, nationwide solution for the collection, recycling, and secondary material management of various types of waste, including e-waste, plastic waste, battery waste, and glass waste in India.
Singhal stressed the significance of understanding material trends and the lifecycle of products to develop efficient collection systems. “To achieve end-of-life circularity, we need to collect products sold in the past. This demands a solid understanding of data to access, collect, sort, and then recycle these materials,” he said.
While talking about the challenges associated with creating vast recycling spaces and collection systems, Singhal spotlighted the disparity in comprehension between virgin and recycled materials. “By collecting and recycling more, we can counteract the environmental impact of virgin materials,” he said.
Discussing about electric vehicles (EVs) and the looming challenges of battery recycling, Singhal remarked, “The reality holds true for every product. If we adhere to a linear economy, where products are sold and then discarded, we encounter an issue.” He emphasized the pressing need for recycling, especially considering the finite reserves of essential materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
Addressing the financial side of recycling, Singhal suggested that consumers might consider paying a small percentage of a product’s sale price towards its collection and recycling.
On the legislation, Singhal recognized the positive strides in countries like India but emphasized the hurdles in enforcement. “While regulation is vital, the true challenge lies in its enforcement. How do we fund it? How can we prevent greenwashing or data manipulation?” he said.
As a potential solution, Singhal advocates for public disclosures, where companies release their data to the public, fostering both transparency and accountability.
Discussing the prevalent trend of trading old mobile phones for newer models, Singhal spotlighted the ‘right to repair’ movement. He noted that the decision to discard phones often stems not just from the allure of newer models but also from the prohibitive costs and complexities of repairs.
Singhal sees promise in regulations that champion modular designs, which would permit component replacements instead of necessitating complete device overhauls. “While regulations play a pivotal role, their enforcement remains a daunting task. Public disclosure might be the key, prompting brands to transparently share their data,” he said.
Singhal’s initiative, Karo Sambhav, is at the forefront of championing circular economies, empowering businesses to close their material loops. With a focus on e-waste, plastic packaging waste, battery waste, and glass, Karo Sambhav is also delving into lesser-examined sectors like mattresses and textiles.