Waste management in India is still a linear system of collection and disposal, creating health and environmental hazards. Urban India is facing a massive waste disposal problem which is only going to grow in the years to come. Until now, the problem of waste has been seen as one of cleaning and disposing rubbish.
New Delhi, Delhi, India, February 22, 2010 (PRESSbooth.ORG) -- But a closer look at the current and future scenario reveals that waste needs to be treated holistically, recognizing its natural resource roots, health impacts as well as maximum value recovery.
Identifying this as a problem, ReGlobe, (www.reglobe.in), a unique entrepreneurial firm was formed in 2009. The company aims to provide innovative solutions for end-of-life product disposal (products past their expiry date or products past their useful life). Average lifetime of products ranges from a few weeks to few years; for example, packaged foods (weeks or a few months), cars (7-8 years), mobile phones (2-3 years), laptops (2-3 years) etc. At the end of this period, these articles have to be treated in a way that the environmental and health hazards are minimized. Our solutions comprise of designing/formulating the best disposal techniques for maximum value recovery and then executing the project in the most cost effective process.
Only one year old, ReGlobe has undertaken some key projects including a mobile phone recycling program with Nokia (www.nokia.co.in/rakhwaale) in India. We have helped Nokia from design stage to actual implementation and monitoring of the program and our work has been highly appreciated by the company.
Closing the loop and recycling are critical factors in nearly all branches of business management today. Especially product-based companies have started feeling the pinch of the society to ensure proper disposal of their products which have reached the end of their life. For example, what happens to computers, mobile handsets, CFLs etc once its usefulness to the consumer is over? Or what is the proper way to dispose off expired medicines or food products?
End of life product disposal is one of the big problems facing all electronic manufactures. India is now confronted with the huge problem of e-waste - both locally generated and internationally imported – which is a serious threat to human health and the environment. India boasts of e-waste producers as well as recyclers but Nakul and Mandeep realized that robust collection was still missing. More than that, there was no one who could educate the end-consumer about e-waste management.
These two individuals decided to play a role in the waste management process in India, and started ReGlobe.
The company is currently focusing on Take-Back programs for electronic companies while reaching out to individual consumers. They assist the companies in implementing such programs. The first few projects are being undertaken in the electronic industry and specifically e-waste or end of like electronic products.
Their strength lies in the transparency and integrity with which they operate. “We want to make sure that the end of life products we help companies dispose, are taken care of in an environment friendly way and ensure that the products do not become available back in the market,” said one of the founders.
“Currently, we are planning to launch India’s first e-waste collection-cum-knowledge center. We are looking forward to working with major electronics manufacturers for the same”, said Nakul. He added, “The main aim is to congregate the industry’s players on a common platform, to attempt to recycle e-waste together.”
Mandeep feels that, “The major barrier to the business model is the lack of information and awareness regarding the environmental impacts of throwing e-waste in the garbage or selling it to the unorganized sector. The efforts should begin at the grass-root i.e. at the end-consumer’s level.”
Environment Manager of Nokia - Pranshu Singhal who was the first one to spot the enthusiasm and passion for this kind of work in them, said,“ Nakul and Mandeep form a team of young enterprising professionals who are walking the extra mile to make a contribution. They together make a committed team, willing to take challenges and face whatever comes in the way. Nokia has been working with ReGlobe for over six months now and we are very satisfied with the services provided by the firm.”
It is not just the electronics manufacturers who stand to gain from take back programs. ReGlobe is also looking forward to working with players from other industries like FMCG for take back programs. This will be an effort to recycle empty bottles/boxes which are not readily disposable and can be a health hazard if they fall in the wrong hands. They would also like to help companies focus on philanthropy by designing and executing take back programs for old books, clothes, medicines etc.
About ReGlobe:
ReGlobe is the only company in the country in the end-of-life product disposal domain and provide professional innovative solutions. These solutions comprise of designing/formulating the best disposal techniques for maximum value recovery and then executing the project in the most cost effective process.
The company bagged its first contract with Nokia and has played a crucial role in the high decibel Take Back program for Nokia. At present the program is running in the markets and proving to be a systematic process of collection of mobile e-waste from end-consumers at company’s stores and service centers across India. As an innovative addition, the company has also taken the campaign to corporate offices across India and added to the convenience of the consumer.
The long-term vision is not only limited to waste, but the co-founders foresee themselves paying a huge part in sustainable development while protecting the environment.
About the ReGlobe Team:
Mandeep and Nakul Founded ReGlobe in 2009 straight out of B-Schools.
Mandeep Manocha is an MBA from National Institute of Industrial Engineering, Mumbai, one of the premier b-schools in India. He holds a B.E. (Chemical) from Panjab University, Chandigarh. He worked with Lehman Brothers India in the Investment Banking Division, M&A advisory. He has undertaken various projects in the field of marketing and operations in the last two years. Mandeep has spent last one year researching in the field of Waste Management and developing a sustainable business model in this area. He comes from a business family and has complete understanding of setting up and running a new business venture.
Nakul Kumar is an MBA from Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, India as well as a Master’s in European Business from ESCP Europe, Paris. He has completed Bachelor’s of Engineering in Electronics and Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. He worked with Amadeus (France) in marketing strategy department. He was also involved with projects on Sustainable Development with companies like Gaz De France and worked as Strategy Consultant for Tecnova India. Nakul has been deeply involved in Waste Management Research for the last one year in India and Europe and also worked in collaboration with NGOs for waste management activities.
Contact:
www.reglobe.in
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