According to Bisleri, India uses nearly 13 million tonnes of plastic annually, out of which only 60 percent is recycled. The remaining 40 percent largely consists of non-recyclable products such as wrappers, carry bags, milk pouches and multilayer packaging from chips and snacks.
To curb the plastic waste reaching landfills and water bodies while also driving sustainability, packaged water company Bisleri International has rolled out its “Bottles for Change” program. The initiative also has a mobile application that links citizens, plastic collection agents, and recyclers to strengthen plastic recycling efforts across the country.
As part of this program, the company has collected and recycled more than 19,300 tonnes of plastic, informed K. Ganesh, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs at Bisleri International, during the Mint Sustainability Summit 2025. Ganesh explained that plastic, once consumed, should be disposed of responsibly and redirected for recycling. However, much of it ends up as litter, eventually filling landfills or flowing into oceans.
Highlighting the importance of circular economy practices, Ganesh added that the company’s plastic waste management initiative focuses on educating and encouraging citizens to adopt source segregation, ensure responsible disposal, and send all used plastic for recycling. This, he said, is crucial for building a circular economy and preventing plastics from reaching landfills and water bodies.