Page 71 from: Recycling International May/June issue 2023
INTERVIEW
71recyclinginternational.com | May/June | 2023
tem on traceability and compliance,
provision of finance for working capi-
tal, promotion, and education.
Through this project, Patawari aims to
facilitate the recycling of m...
tem on traceability and compliance,
provision of finance for working capi-
tal, promotion, and education.
Through this project, Patawari aims to
facilitate the recycling of more than
100 000 tonnes of plastics by 2025.
‘It’s not so easy. We have the capacity
but the volumes are not there yet.’ So
how can you run a profitable business
if most of the available capacity stays
unused? ‘We want to make money but
our responsibility goes beyond doing
business alone. We want to be better
known as a social company.’
Having said that, Patawari believes you
need regulation to ‘responsibly invest
and scale up’ recycling capacity and
get things moving in the right direc-
tion.
EPR IS COMING
The good news is, he says, that India is
adopting extended producer responsi-
bility. ‘A very good sign. EPR can help
force the Amazons, Coca-Colas and
other big players to truly take responsi-
bility and drive circularity.’
Patawari and Gemini want to be at the
forefront of these developments. ‘Our
industry is going to help the world
reach the environmental targets set for
the coming decades. Mind you, US$
130 trillion (EUR 118 trillion) is to be
relocated because of climate change.
Investors are looking at us, the recy-
clers. A big change in the minds of
businesses is underway and these busi-
nesses need us.’
He foresees an explosion of green
investments in the years to come. ‘It
will be huge and we as an industry will
play a crucial role in this, trust me.’ Surendra Patawari: ‘A big change in the minds of businesses is underway and these businesses need us.’
