Kashmiri man’s plastic venture turns scrap into success

Snow-capped Himalayas, glaciers and rivers, lush meadows, chinar-lined valleys, tulip gardens, and lakes. Kashmir has been “Paradise on Earth” for centuries. There was nothing to spoil the view until plastic bottles and bags of chips showed up about two decades ago – littering nooks and crannies of the region’s picture-perfect landscape in recent years. 

However, there’s a solution. Reduce waste and boost recycling of plastic and reuse. For this, look no further than Manzoor Ah Dar, a 50-year-old visionary entrepreneur from Turka-Tachloo village in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. 

It was in 2011 when a transformative idea took root in his mind – a vision of turning discarded plastic into a thriving industry. That same year, in partnership with his brother Bashir Ah Dar, they invested Rs 10 lakh to procure two essential machines – a grinder capable of reducing plastic of various colours into small pieces and a compressor for squashing plastic bottles. 

Also Read: The menace called single-use plastic bag

The Dar brothers encountered obstacles such as sourcing an adequate supply of plastic and finding skilled workers. Yet, over the following years, their operations expanded, and they nurtured a network of suppliers and buyers. 

Their recycling of plastic venture served a dual purpose – cleansing the environment by reducing plastic waste and providing vital jobs to their fellow community members. “We’ve been able to create jobs for 20 people. These hardworking employees earn about Rs 20,000 a month,” Manzoor said.

Not a wasted dream

Manzoor emerged from the most humble beginnings. Born into a family with limited means and devoid of formal education, his path to entrepreneurship was anything but conventional.

For over a decade, Manzoor toiled tirelessly, engaged in a unique livelihood. His role was twofold – not only did he peddle new utensils to the villagers, but he also bought discarded plastic from them, a venture that yielded him an income of Rs 20,000 a month.

Also Read: A peek into rural India’s plastic waste

Through this itinerant profession, he traversed from one village to another, weaving connections within the local communities. This initial foray into plastic gathering laid the foundation for his later entrepreneurial plunge into recycling of plastic and waste management.

“I must give all credit to my brother, whose vision and dedication have made this entire system possible. His innovative thinking and unwavering determination have turned discarded plastic into a valuable resource, and uplifted the lives of those entwined in this chain,” Bashir said.

In 2019, Manzoor embarked on another audacious step in his entrepreneurial journey. Building on the success of his recycling venture in Turka-Tachloo village, he decided to amplify his impact. Armed with the wisdom he had garnered over the years, he founded another plastic factory in the Vessu area, about 12km from his home.

Manzoor’s family relies entirely on the income generated from their recycling factory. He shared the remarkable statistics: “Through our recycling unit, we are able to generate an approximate monthly profit of over Rs 1 lakh a month.”

Recycle and upcycle   

In both of his plastic units, every inch was filled with bundles of scrap. The intricate web of plastic scrap collection in the region comprised two distinct categories of collectors. The first group consisted of people who scoured littered areas for plastic. The second category encompassed those who went door to door, purchasing plastic from households.

Also Read: ‘Waste dumping in open has increased human-wildlife conflict’

Bashir was quick to acknowledge the extensive plastic sourcing network they had established. “We collaborate with individuals who have set up their own shops, where they purchase plastic from those who collect it through village-to-village travel. These intermediary steps not only furnish us with the raw materials we require but also bolster the livelihoods of many involved in this eco-friendly supply chain,” he said.

Explaining their efficient approach to managing the colossal volume of plastic waste, Manzoor said: “We’ve organised the space into separate tin sheds based on colour coding. At least four groups of dedicated workers sort out discarded plastics in different sections in two sheds, each designated for black, green, blue, red, and white. A third shed is where items of the same colour are ground in grinding machines. This step is particularly sensitive. Any colour mismatch could lead to breakage in the end product.”

“Once ground, we pack these materials into bundles and send them outside Kashmir. These granules are put to use in crafting various plastic materials like buckets, pipes, and other essential items,” he revealed.

The factory has compressors for various types of containers, including water bottles, green oil cans, and beverage cans. “The compressor reduces their volume significantly. Once compressed, these are sent outside Kashmir. These are converted into threads for making jeans and other clothing,” Manzoor said.

Plastic money 

Official records reveal that Jammu and Kashmir produces over 51,000 tonnes of plastic waste, with the Kashmir Valley contributing around 31,000 tonnes each year. The region boasts 254 registered plastic manufacturing and recycling units, with 146 situated in Jammu.

Also Read: Women weave plastic waste into utilitarian products

“On a monthly basis, we transport over 80 tonnes of recycled plastic,” shared Mohammad Ashraf Dar.

Manzoor’s grassroots entrepreneurship on recycling of plastic not only aids the environment but also uplifts the lives of an entire community. Javied Ah Dar, an employee, shared his story: “Despite being physically challenged, this industry has been a blessing for me and my family. My family depends on my income, and thanks to this factory, I can provide for them.”

Fellow worker Imtiyaz Ah is also his family’s sole breadwinner. “The income helps me feed my wife and kids. This is also about ensuring a better future for my family.”

In an earnest message to the youth, Manzoor emphasised the potential of entrepreneurship. “While the pursuit of government jobs is commendable, I would encourage educated youth to also consider entrepreneurship. Don’t wait for opportunities. Create them.”

Watch: Eco bricks offer hope against plastic pollution

The lead image at the top shows Manzoor Ah Dar, who rose from a humble background devoid of formal education to become an inspiring entrepreneur (Photo by Junaid Manzoor Dar)

Junaid Manzoor Dar holds a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir.