A lesser known fact is that EPS, commonly known as Thermocole in India, is 100% recyclable. A common misconception is that EPS is not recyclable because it is not bio-degradable. But it was never meant to be!

Thermocole belongs to a category of plastics known as thermoplastics. Thermoplastics are synthetic resins that become plastic on heating and harden on cooling, thus we are able to repeat these processes an infinite number of times, as long as it is processed effectively.

We need to understand that plastics were never made for single use purposes. They were made to be recycled and this can be done in several different ways. The 3 different types of recycling are: upcycling, downcycling, and recycling.

Upcycling increases the value of the waste being upcycled by transforming it into a product of greater value. Downcycling decreases the value of the waste being downcycled by transforming it into a product of lesser value. Recycling maintains the value of the waste by transforming it into a product of the same value.

Thermocole is generally downcycled. However, we use a method by which Thermocole can be recycled instead. We process Thermocole waste in such a way that it is re-used to make new Thermocole products.

In March 2021, we introduced RecyCole – our Thermocole recycling initiative – in Pune, with the goal to ensure that no Thermocole waste is found lying on our streets, in our rivers, or dumped in landfills. We collect waste Thermocole, perform mechanical recycling, and ensure that all the waste material is re-used to make new EPS products.

The biggest advantage of our recycling process is that it does not use any heat or chemicals, both of which take a toll on the environment. This means that zero pollution is. Our method involves simply crushing the Thermocole waste material back into granules that are then mixed with virgin materials during the regular production process.

Since RecyCole’s inception we have partnered with the following organisations to collect Thermocole waste material:

    1. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)
    2. Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC)
    3. SWaCH
    4. Adar Poonawalla Clean City (APCC) Initiative
    5. Cummins
    6. Janwani
    7. Environmental Conservation Association (ECA)
    8. Greenscape Eco Management Pvt. Ltd.

We are looking to partner with organisations across the country to spread this initiative even further.

However, you do not have to be part of an organisation to participate in this initiative. You can just do your part as a responsible citizen of India. The entire process, right from the collection of the Thermocole waste to the recycling of this material, is very simple.

If you are currently in Pune, you just need to follow these simple steps:

1. As an individual or family

a)
  • Keep this waste separate from your other wet and dry waste

2. As a society or as part of a community

a)
  • Collect a tempo load/truck load worth of Thermocole waste
b)
  • Hand it over to either of the following entities depending on the waste collection body that you use:
    • Local government vehicles
    • Waste pickers of partner organisations (SWaCH in PMC areas)
b)
  • Call or WhatsApp us and let us know the following details:
    • Your location
    • The quantity of Thermocole waste collected (send us a photograph if possible)
c)
  • Once this waste is collected, it is taken to the designated collection areas:
    • Local government bodies collect and segregate this waste at their ramps
    • Waste pickers of partner organisations store this waste in the designated sheds
c)
  • We will ensure that the Thermocole waste is picked up within the next 3-5 working days
d)
  • Then we, K. K. Nag Pvt. Ltd, send our vehicles to collect this waste and bring it back to our Recycling Facility
d)
  • We bring the collected Thermocole waste back to our Recycling Facility
e)
  • The Thermocole waste is cleaned and recycled
e)
  • The Thermocole waste is cleaned and recycled

When you receive any item that comes packaged in Thermocole, e.g., a TV, a refrigerator or any other product, you can dispose the Thermocole waste via the following methods:


1. As an individual or family

a)
  • Keep this waste separate from your other wet and dry waste

b)
  • Hand it over to either of the following entities depending on the waste collection body that you use:
    • Local government vehicles
    • Waste pickers of partner organisations (SWaCH in PMC areas)

c)
  • Once this waste is collected, it is taken to the designated collection areas:
    • Local government bodies collect and segregate this waste at their ramps
    • Waste pickers of partner organisations store this waste in the designated sheds

d)
  • Then we, K. K. Nag Pvt. Ltd, send our vehicles to collect this waste and bring it back to our Recycling Facility

e)
  • The Thermocole waste is cleaned and recycled

2. As a society or as part of a community

a)
  • Collect a tempo load/truck load worth of Thermocole waste

b)
  • Call or WhatsApp us and let us know the following details:
    • Your location
    • The quantity of Thermocole waste collected (send us a photograph if possible)

c)
  • We will ensure that the Thermocole waste is picked up within the next 3-5 working days

d)
  • We bring the collected Thermocole waste back to our Recycling Facility

e)
  • The Thermocole waste is cleaned and recycled

Thermocole is 100% recyclable, so let's recycle it!

Please note:

To learn more about disposing of Thermocole waste please call or WhatsApp us on + 91 90216 19509. Thermocole is 100% recyclable so let’s make sure that it gets recycled!

  • All pieces of Thermocole are accepted.
  • Any size, any shape, any condition.
  • To learn more about disposing of Thermocole waste please call or WhatsApp us on + 91 90216 19509.
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