Danish-Indian collaboration launches ‘From Beach to Big Bags’ recycling initiative

INDIA – A new cross-continental initiative, From Beach to Big Bags (FBBB), officially launched in January 2025 with the goal of transforming plastic pollution into sustainable industrial packaging—while also empowering local communities in India.

Funded by the Danida Green Business Partnerships (DGBP), the FBBB project brings together Danish and Indian organizations, including Ocean Plastic Forum, Kabadiwalla Connect, Gleco A/S, and Desmi Ro-Clean A/S.

The partnership is focused on building a scalable and sustainable value chain that recycles both ocean-bound and inland plastic waste into recycled polypropylene (rPP) big bags for industrial use.

Operating in peri-urban coastal areas of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, the project tackles plastic waste at two levels: Desmi Ro-Clean’s trash barriers will intercept plastic before it enters the ocean, while Kabadiwalla Connect will work with informal waste collectors to recover land-based plastic.

These collectors will receive fair wages and support in accessing insurance benefits, formally integrating them into the circular economy.

“Kabadiwalla Connect is thrilled to be a part of the FBBB initiative,” said Siddharth Hande, CEO of Kabadiwalla Connect.

“This project aligns perfectly with our mission to empower informal waste collectors and integrate them into formal recycling systems. By ensuring fair compensation and better working conditions, we can create a truly sustainable and inclusive circular economy.”

Once collected, the plastic will be processed into recycled polypropylene pellets, with an initial target of 20 tonnes supplied to Gleco A/S, where it will be used to manufacture big bags containing at least 30% recycled content.

“At Gleco, we are very excited about the prospects of the project,” said Anders Holm, COO of Gleco A/S.

“By integrating recycled polypropylene into our supply chain, we are demonstrating that sustainability and high-quality production can go hand in hand.”

“This project is a great example of how international value chain collaborations can drive real change,” added Thomas Alstrup, Head of Secretariat at Ocean Plastic Forum.

“By combining the expertise of each partner, we can recover significant amounts of plastic waste from coastal areas and convert it into scalable business models that support the circular economy.”

The project will run through June 2026 and aims to prove the commercial viability of recycled industrial packaging. In the long term, FBBB seeks to scale its operations and create a financially sustainable and profitable model, inviting more industry players to adopt eco-friendly supply chains.

Beyond environmental gains, the initiative underscores the potential of international cooperation in addressing global challenges while uplifting underserved communities through economic inclusion and dignified work.

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