15 Sep iRefill: Making Reuse & Refill Accessible for All
iRefill
Reducing plastic packaging waste via user-centric refill tech for sustainable & eco-friendly future 
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The low recycling rate and substantial mismanagement of plastic packaging waste are adversely affecting human health, ecosystems, and economies. Our solution facilitates businesses, brand owners, retailers, countries, and individuals in offering products via refill or reuse models to end users. Utilizing our compact, economical, and user-friendly refilling/dispensing system with reusable packaging, we aim to mitigate these issues.
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The Problem
The world produces 400 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, with packaging accounting for 36%. A staggering 85% of this ends up in landfills or unmanaged environments, while only 10% is recycled. India has become the top polluter in 2024, with plastic use growing 20 times in the past 30 years. Around 50% of plastic packaging is discarded, and over 8 million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans annually. Despite global efforts to reduce plastic waste, lower-income communities are often excluded. For them, buying staple goods in bulk is too costly, leading to purchases in small, wasteful packaging that significantly raises household expenses and plastic waste.
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The Solution
iRefill aim to tackle rising plastic waste issue through its reusable packaging systems, enabling anyone to buy in small/bulk quantities —providing cost savings to customers and reducing plastic waste. iRefill system includes an Internet of Things (IoT)-connected vending machines to dispense products (Edible oil, personal and home care Product). iRefill aims to provide IoT-connected vending machines to retailers/wholesalers/organic stores and brands (HUL, P&G, Godrej, Plum etc….). So that retailers/wholesalers/organic stores and brands can sell their products through refilling by avoiding packaging cost, penalties (associated with the plastic), manpower cost, Spillage and Product wastage.
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Impact
Installed 3 edible oil and laundry liquid detergent dispensers, leading to:
- 2350+ Lts of FMCG products refilled
- Served 250+ customers
- 2000 plastic bottles (~0.5 tons) reduced from entering into landfills
To understand the technology and market, we conducted a 6-month pilot in Indore with two products—homecare liquids and vegetable oil. We installed 10 dispensers at local shops. The pilot led to the sale of 2000+ liters, with 250+ customers using the system. We also partnered with a local homecare brand to install dispensers in residential societies.
Currently 3 Edible Oil Dispensers are Installed and Working in the market.
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Founders:
- Rajneesh Kumar Patel – Founder & CEO
- Manoj Patel – Co-founder & CTO
Follow: LinkedIn
Website: https://www.irefill.in/index.php