Field Assignment: Experience India

Five members of the Swiss Buy Food with Plastic team will embark on a special journey to India from September 30 to October 14, 2023. This field trip promises not only an exciting adventure but also marks another milestone for Buy Food with Plastic India.

For over three years, the Swiss team has been working closely with the Indian team to help people in need and transform plastic waste into valuable resources. In October 2023, some members of the Swiss team will have the opportunity to experience the work firsthand and set another milestone: the opening of the workshop in Bhandup, Mumbai. There, collected plastic will be transformed into products such as Ecopots (plant pots) or pens, leading to the creation of jobs with regular income. These advances enable us to achieve our goals: to close the recycling loop, protect the environment, and strengthen the economic situation of the people in Bhandup.

Anticipation and gratitude 

Khalil, co-founder of Buy Food with Plastic, is looking forward to the trip and to experiencing the results of the long-standing, cross-border collaboration firsthand. «I am regularly in contact with the Indian team, see pictures and videos of their work, and receive reports on the impact of our commitment on the ground. But to experience a community event in Bhandup, visit the workshop, and meet our partners in person is something very special to me», Khalil summarizes. The meetings with the partners and local organizations will definitely be highlights. Salomé Handschin, volunteer project manager for India, made valuable contacts during her trip to India last year, which have been nurtured and expanded since then. Today, reputable institutions and companies such as the Brückner Group, the Swiss Business Hub, or Saint Gobain are among the supporters. Khalil emphasizes the importance of these meetings: «The opportunity to meet these people in person is invaluable. They have generously contributed to the success, whether financially, through valuable advice, or in other ways. Thanking them personally for their support will be another highlight.»

Anna Herbst is also enthusiastic: «It is a very exciting trip, as it is my first time in India. I am particularly looking forward to visiting our new workshop in Bhandup, Mumbai. It makes me overjoyed to see how much we have already achieved in India in such a short time.» Céline Serra is also part of the group, who has been doing an internship with us in Switzerland since September 2023, focusing on data collection and fundraising. This trip offers her the unique opportunity to learn about our commitment on the ground and experience how the donation money is used and – also particularly important – what impact it achieves. Christian Herbst, who is responsible for the strategic direction of Buy Food with Plastic on the board, and volunteer Sabine Herbst are also on board.

A mission with many tasks

During their stay in India, the team will strengthen the bond with the local team and advance the mission of Buy Food with Plastic. Their program includes:

• Meeting the local team and getting to know the supporters who participate in community events to strengthen cooperation and achieve common goals.
• Participating in a community event on the ground to receive direct feedback from residents and check the impact of the work.
• Opening of the workshop in October 2023, a significant step for the economic autonomy of the residents of Bhandup and Buy Food with Plastic.
• Networking meetings with various stakeholders to strengthen the existing network of Buy Food with Plastic India and promote possible collaborations.
• Conducting job interviews on the ground to recruit talented employees for Buy Food with Plastic India.

Christian Herbst, board member of Buy Food with Plastic, emphasized the strategic importance of this trip: «It is of great importance to us and the organization to be in India. By informing ourselves about the needs and conditions on the ground, we are able to better plan and implement our long-term goals in India. We are determined to anchor our work even more strongly here and support even more people in need. And last but not least, it is a special concern of mine to thank all our generous donors and supporters.»

And of course, Shakti Yadav, Country Manager India, is also looking forward to welcoming the team to Bhandup. During his exchange program, which took him to Berlin, he already had the opportunity to meet the Swiss Buy Food with Plastic team. «About three years ago, I launched Buy Food with Plastic in Mumbai, back then under the difficult Covid-19 conditions. Now we have our own building, where we will soon also produce products from upcycled plastic. I have dreamed of this success. All the more delighted I am that I can celebrate this moment together with the Swiss team», Shakti says.

The field trip promises to be an exciting and productive experience and will deepen the bond between Buy Food with Plastic and India. It is a strong sign of global cooperation to improve living conditions and environmental impacts for those who need it most urgently. We are excited about the results of this trip and will continue to report on how Buy Food with Plastic India is making positive changes in India.

Do you want to know what adventures the team experiences in Mumbai, India? Then follow us on Instagram: Buy Food with Plastic and Buy Food with Plastic India