Today, India needs to address several environmental challenges that occur with waste generation and incompetency in the processes of waste collection, transportation, treatment and disposal, to maintain the already delicate ecological balance. A rapidly increasing urban population, economic growth, surge in industrialization, and lack of knowledge act as factors that are severely impacting the environment and the citizen’s health. Unfortunately, the systems previously implemented are struggling to cope.
While the challenges encountered are significant, so are the opportunities presented by this segment. The key here is to transition from heavily relying on stagnant waste dumps to better-operated waste management systems. This can be achieved through better waste segregation at source and utilization of innovative waste processing facilities adequately equipped to seamlessly separate recyclable materials. Imparting the right information also plays a pivotal role in this sector.
Spearheading the movement towards a Green Environment Generation is ComePost, headquartered in Mumbai, with its leading-edge waste management machines and services. An end-to-end solution provider, ComePost facilitates awareness amongst the citizens of Mumbai in tandem with door-to-door collection right up to waste processing. “We have provided the infrastructure needed to the local bodies that work in Mumbai for effective waste management. We have acquired land from these local government bodies and put up our machinery and infrastructure where we process the waste,” reveals Ninad Powar, Founder of ComePost.
Spreading knowledge for a better tomorrow
He goes on to tell us how his team of experts conducts awareness programs amongst societies and various industry verticals as well. These programs comprise delivering a basic understanding of waste that is recyclable and non-recyclable yet can be processed. Citizens are advised to put in place a colour-coded bin system to encourage better segregation. They are also educated on the types of plastic waste and how it can be recycled in different forms such as granules or even biodiesel through polymerization.
With the types of waste generated within a city and a slum being different, the team at ComePost worked at attaining a complete understanding of the waste management situation in both areas in order to produce a viable solution. The machinery catering to the slum and the city varies according to the individual requirements. Ninad explains, “We work for both, slums and the city of Mumbai. We educate the slum areas and we even ask the respective government bodies to take proper actions, provide them with the necessary equipment or the bins with the proper color code form. So we take initiatives to educate people as well.”
Giving back to the earth
The R&D team at ComePost conducted vast market research to gain a better understanding of the various waste management processes implemented. Having witnessed the inadequacy of previously implemented methods, the team developed its own machinery designed to convert waste into compost in a natural way. This entire process takes 45 days where the waste is churned every seven days. “We make compost out of the collected waste which is known as city compost because we predominantly use MSW (Muncipal Solid Waste) in this process. Equivalent to organic compost, we then give it to the farmers,” adds Ninad.
ComePost holds one of the leadership positions and is coming in the top tier of waste management in India. The company attributes the success it has achieved today to several factors such as the development of their very own innovative machines, skilled R&D team allocated to study the various categories of wastes encountered in cities and slums, and efficient waste segregation.
The team has designed and developed unique and automated machinery programmed to segregate the waste category-wise. In essence, the company is an end-to-end solution provider with its bouquet of solutions and services such as waste pick-up services, highly experienced R&D team, specialized waste management machinery, wet waste composting and non-recyclable plastic treatment.
Ninad adds, “We are a complete solution provider and offer everything to the client, right from picking up the waste to bringing it to our plant and treating it. The client need not worry about the waste as everything is treated in our in-house facility. Some clients face issues related to thermacol, plastic and cardboard waste. While most clients may know about wet waste and composting, they do not know how to tackle thermacol, plastic and cardboard waste. This is where we come in. We have this facility with us.”
We make compost out of the collected waste which is known as city compost because we predominantly use MSW (Muncipal solid waste) in this process
He strongly believes that it is the people of ComePost that play a key role in helping carve a niche in this segment. ComePost has a myriad of rag pickers, unskilled workers and its strong management team. The rag pickers and unskilled workers are trained regarding safety, how the waste should be treated and how to do the job more efficiently. The company focuses on ensuring safety while offering the opportunity of employment to people in need.
Mapping out plans of expansion
The company works ceaselessly round-the-clock to bring about a positive change in the environment. The company commenced its journey in 2017 and was allotted land of 2000 sq. ft. where the waste of five tonnes per day was manually processed. The company steadily moved up the ladder and in 2018 acquired a plant in Mumbai itself and began catering to 25 tons of waste daily. Staying abreast of trending technologies, in 2019, ComePost leveraged various advancing technologies to completely automate and run a 300 metric tonne plant on a newly allotted two-acre land. Both, dry and wet waste processing are done in-house.
The company commands quite the market presence today and has recorded an increase in revenues by 30 percent every quarter. Over the years, the company takes pride in having catered to a large client base of well-renowned organizations such as the Mumbai Airport (International and National), Taj Group, SkyGourmet, in conjunction with several hotel industries, hospitals and hospitality companies associated with aircrafts.
Aiming towards a cleaner country for future generations
Committed to making India a cleaner country, the company envisions expanding its reach pan India in the next five years. Ninad concludes, “Right now we have a set up only in Mumbai and we would like to expand our operations all over India. Envisaging bringing about a more positive impact in India, we are building a team of enthusiastic people so that they see what our vision is and perform according to our needs.”
ComePost is gearing itself up for the future with its team working on continually integrating various advancing technologies into its solutions and services, with the aim to make waste management more streamlined.
