Banyan Nation is a groundbreaking Indian company using technology and innovation to address one of the country’s most urgent environmental challenges: plastic waste. Founded in 2013, the company was born out of a vision to create a more sustainable and inclusive circular economy, one that not only reduces pollution but also uplifts the communities most affected by it.

In India, over 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated each year, much of it managed by an informal workforce of waste pickers working in unsafe, underpaid conditions. Banyan Nation set out to change this reality by building bridges between advanced recycling technologies and the people at the heart of the system. By collecting plastic from urban areas, industries, and informal networks, Banyan Nation transforms waste into high-quality, near-virgin recycled plastic that meets the strict standards of global brands in sectors like automotive and consumer goods. Its proprietary hot-wash process removes 98% of contaminants, enabling brands to reduce their environmental footprint without compromising quality.

But the company’s impact goes beyond technology. Banyan Nation actively collaborates with waste pickers, offering training, fair wages, and safer working conditions. Over 500 families have already benefited through improved livelihoods, access to social protection, and a deeper understanding of the value of the materials they collect. Through this inclusive model, Banyan Nation is redefining what responsible innovation looks like, creating cleaner cities, reducing plastic pollution, and ensuring that the people who make recycling possible are no longer left behind.