ITC’s paperboard and specialty papers
division is generating raw materials from waste.
“We use waste paper extensively as raw material.
We procure such paper from waste paper vendors
in the country. We would now like to tap
households directly,” says Pradeep Dhobale, CEO,
paper boards division.
India consumes around nine million tonnes of
paper annually. But only 1.5 million tonne of
paper is getting recycled annually. “Source
segregation of waste becomes important. Many a
times waste paper gets mixed with other garbage
and it ends up going to the landfill. We also
don’t have enough forest reserves left so its
important to recycle waste paper,” says Dhobale.
ITC
launched WOW (wealth out of waste) programme in
Hyderabad. It provides special bags to put dry
waste like paper, plastic and metals and
arranges collection through outsourced agencies.
The
waste paper used by ITC for its own commercial
activities and other materials are sold to the
recycling units.
The
programme has now been extended to 10
municipalities in Andhra Pradhesh and over six
colonies in Coimbatore.
ITC
is planning to launch WOW in Chennai, Coimbatore
and Madurai in Tamil Nadu as well as Kochi and
Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.
“We
are guided by the triple bottom line principle;
employment, profitability and environmental
consciousness,” says Dhobale.
