Abstract

The case “Nepra’s “Let’s Recycle” Initiative – Tackling India’s Solid Waste Management Problem” is about the solid waste management solution and circular business model of Nepra Resource Management Pvt Ltd (Nepra), a startup based in Gujarat, India. Nepra recycled the solid wastes at its Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) using its ‘Let’s Recycle’ initiative and its circular economy business model. Nepra utilized the latest technologies for its operations and also empowered women waste pickers by paying them fair wages and employing them at its MRF. The company involved corporates in its solid waste collection initiatives with its Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) initiative. Nepra planned to expand all over the country and to bring the entire informal waste management sector to the formal sector. It remained to be seen how Nepra’s sustainable waste management initiatives would pan out in the future and whether it would be able to solve India’s huge waste management problem.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Understand the relationship between recycling and sustainability
• Examine the importance of Extended Producers Responsibility in solid waste management
• Examine how sustainable solid waste management helps prevent environment pollution
• Examine the circular economy business model in solid waste management

Keywords

Sustainability; Waste management; Recycling; Circular Economy; Extended Producers Responsibility; Environment Pollution