This Delhi Entrepreneur Has Prevented 200 Tonnes of Plastic Waste From Polluting the City

In 2020, Mohd Suhail, a 32-year-old entrepreneur from Delhi, founded Athar Packaging Solutions to tackle the growing plastic waste problem in India. India leads the world in plastic waste generation, producing a staggering 10.2 million tonnes annually, more than double that of other major polluters. 

With landfills overflowing and plastic pollution choking rivers, Suhail saw an opportunity to make a difference. He founded Athar Packaging Solutions to not only recycle plastic waste but also provide sustainable alternatives to traditional packaging.

Making an Impact: How Athar packaging solutions is tackling Delhi’s plastic problem

Over the past three years, Athar Packaging Solutions has recycled 200 tonnes of industrial plastic waste, significantly reducing Delhi’s plastic pollution. Here’s how their efforts are making a real difference:

Reducing landfill reliance – By recycling plastic waste, the company diverts materials from being dumped into landfills, reducing environmental contamination and promoting circular waste management.

Cutting carbon emissions – Recycling plastic is far more energy-efficient than producing new plastic from raw materials. For every tonne of plastic recycled, 1.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions are prevented. This means Athar’s efforts have helped prevent nearly 300 tonnes of CO2 emissions, making a significant contribution to climate action.

Encouraging sustainable packaging – The company recycles 95% of plastic waste into sustainable packaging, helping businesses transition away from virgin plastic. This creates a viable, eco-friendly alternative for over 700 companies across 60 cities.

Promoting circular economy practices – Athar’s success proves that industrial plastic waste can be effectively repurposed into high-quality packaging. This model encourages other businesses to rethink waste management, shifting toward sustainability.

Turning a vision into reality: The step-by-step journey

Suhail’s journey in building Athar Packaging Solutions was not without challenges. From identifying recyclable plastics to expanding his customer base, he followed a structured approach to make his vision a reality.

Step 1: Identifying recyclable plastics

Suhail's first task was to identify which types of plastic could be recycled into sustainable packaging. After months of research, he discovered that only three types of plastics—LDPE, BOPP, and LD plastics—were suitable for recycling into durable packaging products. This step allowed Athar Packaging Solutions to focus its efforts on specific types of waste, maximising efficiency in the recycling process.

Step 2: Securing and modifying machinery

Next, the entrepreneur had to source the right machinery for recycling plastic waste. Working with ML Polymers, a manufacturer with a long-unused machine, the team modified it to suit their needs. “To transform waste plastic into high-quality, reusable products like pouches and zippers, several key modifications were made,” says the founder. They added specialised blending tools, adjusted temperature controls for precise melting, and installed multi-layer filters to remove contaminants. 

Step 3: Building relationships with waste suppliers

Suhail faced a major hurdle in convincing companies to provide their plastic waste for recycling. “We had to convince them that our solution was viable and eco-friendly,” he says. By patiently educating and demonstrating the eco-friendly nature of his solution, he built relationships with waste suppliers, including companies like Akash Plastic, Deepa Polymers, and Krishna Plastic Suppliers. 

Over time, this collaboration allowed Athar to source large quantities of industrial plastic waste, helping to reduce the environmental burden on Delhi’s landfills, rivers, and oceans.

Step 4: Overcoming the cost barrier

One of the key challenges in the early stages was the high cost of sustainable packaging. Sustainable products can be up to five times more expensive than traditional plastic packaging. 

To overcome this, the entrepreneur decided to price his products at cost-effective rates initially, keeping the profit margin at just 5%. “It was a conscious decision to build trust with customers and make it easier for them to try our sustainable solutions,” he explains. This strategy paid off, with the company securing 40 clients in the first year and expanding rapidly thereafter.

Step 5: Expanding the customer base

As the demand for sustainable packaging grew, Suhail scaled up operations. Athar Packaging Solutions now serves over 700 businesses across 60 cities, including major hubs like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. By leveraging platforms such as IndiaMart, Justdial, and Exporter India, he effectively marketed his eco-friendly products to businesses, expanding his reach far beyond Delhi.

Step 6: Diversifying product offerings

Athar Packaging Solutions initially focused on pouches but has since expanded its product line to include a variety of packaging options, such as corrugated boxes and stand-up zipper pouches. The most popular products are the stand-up zipper pouch, centre seal pouch, and three-side seal pouch, which account for the majority of the company’s revenue. 

For businesses looking to transition to sustainable packaging, Suhail emphasizes three key takeaways:

Start small, scale smart – Begin with a few eco-friendly alternatives and gradually expand as demand grows.

Educate and engage – Convincing suppliers and customers about sustainability benefits can create long-term partnerships.

Invest in efficiency – The right technology and processes can make sustainable packaging cost-effective and scalable.

Athar’s success proves that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand—offering a model for businesses looking to balance environmental responsibility with financial viability.

Read his inspiring journey here.

Edited by Leila Badyari