Households and businesses in Darjeeling now have a structured way to recycle their used beverage cartons, thanks to a partnership between TIEEDI Permaculture Foundation and Tetra Pak. This initiative is more than just about recycling — it’s about recognising and supporting the waste workers who play a vital role in keeping the environment clean.
TIEEDI, a grassroots organisation dedicated to zero-waste solutions, has joined forces with us to set up a decentralised collection and recycling system. With the help of local waste workers and community participation, used beverage cartons will be collected and sent to Khatema Fibres in Uttarakhand for recycling.
A key part of this initiative is empowering waste workers. They will receive training in collecting and sorting aseptic beverage cartons efficiently. Beyond that, they will also get access to essential support, including health cards for medical care and better earning opportunities through structured recycling networks. Students from Sonada Degree College will contribute by gathering data on waste pickers and connecting academic research with real-world waste management challenges.
Beverage cartons are made primarily from paperboard (70%) and can be recycled into valuable materials such as secondary packaging, e-commerce packaging, stationery, and even roofing sheets. The poly-aluminium components can be used in furniture, logistics, and the automotive industry, ensuring that every part of the carton finds a second life.
Utsow Pradhan, Founder of TIEEDI, shared his excitement about the collaboration:
“We are very excited about this collaboration with Tetra Pak India as it fosters the beginning of a synergy between bulk producers of material goods and local grassroots organisation to overcome the challenges of waste mismanagement in our hills. It is also a landmark occasion where for the first time ever the ignored Waste Pickers (kabaadiwalas) have been given a platform where their work is recognised and they received the dignity that they deserve in our society.
Even though the kabaadiwallas work in the informal sector, they are one of the most impactful climate action activists in India whose work ensures that a huge chunk of the waste that is discarded irresponsibly by consumers still land up in the recycling hubs.
We thank Tetra Pak India for their support to this project.”
Juhi Gupta, Sustainability Director at Tetra Pak South Asia, added:
“This partnership is a great example of like-minded organisations turning a challenge into an opportunity. Together with TIEEDI, we are setting a precedent for decentralised, community-driven waste management solutions that benefit both the environment and the people who work tirelessly to keep it clean.”
With this initiative, Darjeeling takes a significant step towards a circular economy — one where recycling is not only easy but also benefits those who make it possible.