Ashok Chaturvedi, chairman, and managing director, UFlex, released a report on the recyclability of Multi-Layer mixed Plastic (MLP) waste at an event organized and hosted by the Plastic Packaging Research and Development Centre (PPRDC).

Plastics Packaging Research and Development Centre, is a non-profit research and development center established by the Multilayer Plastics Films Sanitation Trust. PPRDC recently organized a one-day round-table thematic discussion on “Sustainable Packaging and EPR Regulations” in Noida. The event agenda included a briefing by the PPRDC executives on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) norms and best practices for building a circular economy.

On this occasion, Ashok Chaturvedi, chairman and managing director, UFlex, released a study report on the Recyclability of Multi–Layer mixed Plastics.

“At UFlex, we have always taken the lead in developing sustainable packaging solutions for our clients and facilitating discussions with brand owners and regulators around the recyclability of multi-layer mixed plastic waste. As a global leader in packaging, we have made significant investments in recycling facilities across our global locations to demonstrate the various applications of MLP waste. UFlex, runs an advanced injection molding facility at its Noida site and was established to recycle granules and to demonstrate various possibilities to the molding industry. Decorative, functional, engineering parts, household and office products, and hundreds of other articles are manufactured with recycled granules at UFlex’s recycling facilities”, said Ashok Chaturvedi, chairman and managing director, UFlex, at the launch of the study report.

“This report will help brand owners and recyclers to appreciate the technical processes, possibilities, and financial returns on recycling MLP waste. This will help brand owners fulfill their EPR responsibilities, and play an active role in keeping plastic waste out of landfills. In a country like India, this could provide an impetus to MSMEs to establish recycling facilities and unlock the value and potential of plastic waste. UFlex is more than willing to share best practices from their recycling operations that have been running successfully for over two decades,” Chaturvedi added.

As part of the roundtable discussion, members of PPRDC's advisory council and industry speakers discussed a wide range of topics, including environmental problems brought on by the careless disposal of plastic waste, the role of the organized sector in the management of plastic waste, leading India to a circular economy – road map, and the challenges faced by brand owners in complying with EPR guidelines, amongst others.

Notable industry speakers included Mihir Banerjee, secretary general, PPRDC & BIS & ISO Plastics Sectional Committee member; S. K. Nayak, vice-chancellor, Ravenshaw University; Swapan K Ray, secretary - Indian Centre for Plastic in The Environment, PPRDC Council member; Esha Sar, chief advisor - South Asia, Alliance to End Plastic Waste; A Garg, A A Garg & Company and Consultant – EPR; Anomitra Chakravorty, KPS consultant & Impex and PPRDC council member; Anup K. Ghosh, professor emeritus, Department Of Material Science and Engineering, IIT, Delhi, and PPRDC council member; Rajeev Dwivedi, director TTRC BIS & ISO – Plastics Sectional committee member and PPRDC council member, Sumit Basu, chief general manager (Petrochemicals), Indian Oil Corporation and others.