igus Supports Plastic Fischer’s River-Cleaning Initiative, Enabling the Collection of 34 Tons of Plastic Waste in India

igus Contributes to River-Cleaning Efforts in Kanpur, India, Through Partnership with Plastic Fischer

04 September 2024 – igus®, a leading global manufacturer of plastic components, is supporting a significant initiative to combat plastic pollution in rivers. In partnership with Plastic Fischer, a startup dedicated to cleaning rivers in India and Indonesia, igus has financed the collection of over 33,600 tons of plastic waste in Kanpur, India, from November 2022 to August 2024.

Plastic pollution poses a severe threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity, with an estimated several million tons of plastic waste entering the oceans annually. Approximately 1,600 rivers are responsible for transporting the majority of this waste into the sea. In response to this growing environmental challenge, Plastic Fischer has developed innovative, cost-effective solutions to intercept plastic waste before it reaches the ocean. Supported by igus, the initiative has expanded its reach and impact, particularly in Kanpur, a major industrial center in northern India situated along the Ganges River.

Impact and Expansion of Plastic Fischer’s Initiative

Since its inception in 2021, Plastic Fischer has collected and processed over 1,600 tons of plastic waste. The organization has established 42 impact locations and created 79 jobs for local communities in India and Indonesia. In 2022, igus joined as a supporter, focusing on advancing a circular economy for plastics. This partnership has played a pivotal role in collecting 33,611 tons of plastic waste from rivers, particularly in Kanpur, a city heavily impacted by the Ganges River’s unregulated industrial activities and significant pollution.

The Ganges, recognized as one of the world’s most polluted rivers due to uncontrolled emissions from numerous informal industrial facilities, is a focal point for Plastic Fischer’s activities. Since August 2022, the organization has employed 15 full-time workers in Kanpur, who have collectively removed more than 315 tons of plastic waste from drainage channels flowing into the Ganges.

Innovative, Sustainable Solutions

To address the problem of river pollution, Plastic Fischer has developed “TrashBooms,” floating barriers constructed from locally available materials that effectively prevent plastic waste from flowing downstream. This innovative solution, characterized by its technical simplicity and cost-effectiveness, allows for quick repairs and scalability. The collected plastic waste is transported daily to a sorting facility where it is dried, separated, and processed. Recyclable materials are sold to local recyclers, while non-recyclable materials, such as plastic bags, are used as alternative energy sources in cement plants, replacing coal.

“Only 5% of the non-organic material collected can be recycled, as most high-value plastics like PET bottles are already recovered by the informal waste sector,” explained Karsten Hirsch, CEO and Co-founder of Plastic Fischer. “Our TrashBooms are now constructed from LDPE, similar to plastic bags, enabling us to recycle parts of the river plastic into new TrashBooms. We are committed to continuous improvement and expansion, with plans to open at least four new locations in India next year.”

Recognition and Future Goals

Plastic Fischer’s efforts have been recognized by the Ocean Bound Plastic Certification, one of only two independent verification options in the plastic credit sector globally. The initiative was also awarded the Next Economy Award at the 16th German Sustainability Award, celebrating innovative business models that promote sustainable economic practices.

Michael Blass, CEO of e-chain Systems at igus, emphasized the company’s commitment to promoting the sustainable use of plastics: “We are always looking for new ways to promote the sustainable use of plastic. In addition to our own initiatives, such as our chainge recycling platform for technical plastics or the RCYL bike made from recycled plastic, we also want to support innovative approaches of other companies. Plastic Fischer impressively demonstrates how you can make a big difference even with simple, cost-effective solutions. This will not only clean rivers but create new jobs.”

igus invites other companies to support similar initiatives addressing plastic pollution, underscoring the potential for collaboration in advancing sustainable practices and preserving marine environments.

Learn about igus’ continued commitment to environmental sustainability: https://www.igus.com/company/sustainability