Jayashree and her team segregating the waste

Multi-layered plastic (MLP) poses a massive challenge for the country since the popular notion is that it is “impossible” to recycle. Most waste pickers try to avoid picking MLP as it fetches as little as ₹2 per kg. To collect a kilogram of discarded chips, Kurkure, bhujia, and noodle packets, or tiny shampoo, conditioner, and liquid detergent sachets is extremely time-consuming and not worth anyone’s while. Only waste pickers, who are too marginalised or too desperate to exercise a choice, turn their attention to them. 

MLP inherently consists of around six materials, including polymer sheets, metallised films and adhesive layers. It is a high-volume waste that often ends up in landfills, leading to degradation of the environment. This must be one of the first attempts to recycle and repurpose such waste. 

But MLP is no longer a black sheep. Thanks to a start-up, which claims to have taken the bull by its horns and has researched and patented a technology that separates the MLP layers and uses the waste to make an entire array of products. Christened ‘Without’, the venture with a rather unusual name, proudly states on its website: “Our patented process has created the world’s first sunglasses made entirely from thrown-away packets of chips.” 

Though it has been using its technology VerdiCycle to make several products in small batches including eyewear, signages, buttons, planter pots, even coasters and key chains out of MLP for around four years, this week it has taken its first step into commissioning its own demonstration plant in Pune showcasing the technology it uses. 

Energy efficiency

‘Without’ emphasises on the eco-friendly nature of its technology. It avoids using harsh chemicals and primarily uses water as a solvent for colours and finishes for brand aesthetics. The energy efficiency of the technology is in the fact that reaction occurs at temperatures under 120°C, compared with industry standards of 400°C+. Besides, the process does not need specific environments like an inert atmosphere or high pressure. 

The company says its process can handle various contaminants and plastic waste types without compromising the final product. This includes hard-to-recycle things like coloured PET bottles, TetraPak and metalised paper plates,” explains 36-year-old Founder and Director Anish Malpani, who worked for 12 years in finance, operations, data, and the social impact space in the US, Guatemala, Kenya, Dubai and India. He quit a lucrative corporate career in the US to come back to India to start his own venture to “make the world less unfair”.

Fair workplace

And Malpani is finding small ways to “address the elephant in the room”. Till now, Without has been able to employ 16 former informal workers. At his start-up, informal workers now operate machines, work as support staff, and are given the benefits of stock options, paid leave, and Sundays off. “This is the only fair thing to do,” he says and hopes he can do much more going forward.  

Coming back to his technology innovations, Malpani believes that his venture is an attempt to lead the way in sustainable material science. He says that his team is constantly exploring more ways to recycle so that they can “create a world where no material is considered waste.” Without is also open to helping other companies integrate sustainable solutions into their manufacturing processes.

For Without, and his “first-of-a-kind plant” Malpani has many ambitions but wants to always be “cautiously optimistic”. The capacity of his demonstration plant is expected to be 3 to 5 tonnes a month. “But in the next two years we intend to scale this as efficiently as possible to 3 to 5 tonnes a day,” he says. 

Published on October 13, 2025