17 YO Prevents 2000 Tonnes of Plastic From Entering Landfills; Converts Them Into Fabric

Did you know that in 2019 over 3.3 million metric tonnes of plastic wound up in landfills across India? These alarming numbers have pushed several organizations and individuals to reduce the waste generated or recycle them. One such individual who has taken a step to reduce the burden on the environment is 18-year-old Aditya Banger. 

A resident of Bhilwara, Rajasthan, Aditya is a Class 12 student of Mayo College. He has started recycling plastic bottles, wrappers, and covers to make fabric.

“The process takes one or two days but the fabric produced is much stronger than regular cotton. It is also more durable,” says Aditya, who launched his company, Trash to Treasure at such a young age. 

Though the startup was launched in January 2021, they recycle up to 10 tonnes of plastic every day to make fabric.

From plastic to innovative textile

Aditya comes from a textile manufacturing family. Two years ago he went on a business trip with his uncle, the owner of Kanchan India Limited, to China. They were traveling to see new manufacturing techniques for producing fabric.

“That is when I came across the unit that converts large quantities of plastic waste into the fabric. It not only reduces waste going into the landfills but also produces good quality material and creates employment locally,” says Aditya.

Once they returned, Aditya, who was in Class 10 at the time, pitched an idea to his family about starting a business of producing fabric from plastic. His uncle and parents agreed and supported his venture. 

By collaborating with a foreign company, Aditya had a manufacturing unit set up in Bhilwara.

“The project was funded by the parent company, Kanchan India Limited, for whom the fabric will be made. It will also be sold by them,” says Aditya.

Recycling tonnes of plastic 

By January 2021 when the lockdowns were eased, Aditya began sourcing plastic waste from all over the country. He connected with local waste collection centers and purchased PET-grade plastic for Rs 40/ kilogram. Apart from this, he also collected PET waste from the general public directly. 

“The plastic needs to be PET grade and does not need to be washed or cleaned. It can be sent to our unit as is and we clean it before using it for yarn,” says Aditya. 

The process to make fabric from plastic is elaborate. Aditya explains how once the waste reaches the unit, it is thoroughly cleaned, the labels are removed and allowed to dry. 

Then, they are chopped into fine flakes and melted to remove toxic chemicals. The melted plastic, also known as the plastic filament when cooled down, becomes the fibre for the fabric.

“The fibre is further spun into yarn and mixed along with cotton to make the fabric. Currently, the fabric is made by the parent company and then sold to other companies as raw material. They will make desired clothing using the same,” says Aditya.

To date, Trash to Treasure has recycled 2000 tonnes of plastic. 

If you wish to know more connect with Aditya here.