This platform connects consumers with waste pickers and recycling cooperatives to facilitate a circular economy. By creating a direct link, the platform aims to improve recycling rates and provide economic opportunities for waste management workers.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Many businesses struggle to integrate ethical and sustainable practices into their recycling supply chains, particularly when working with informal waste management sectors. This can lead to supply chain risks, difficulty in meeting ESG goals, and a lack of transparency in the sourcing of recycled materials. Additionally, waste pickers and recycling cooperatives often lack access to fair markets and the training needed to improve their operations and ensure safe working conditions.
Solution
iWrc provides a platform that connects businesses with socially responsible recycling cooperatives, promoting a circular economy and ensuring ethical working conditions. The platform offers three core services: iWrc University, a capacity-building program for recycling cooperatives and waste pickers; a Marketplace that facilitates fair trade of recyclable materials with transparency and traceability; and ESG Services, which include consulting, risk assessment, and supply chain analysis. By empowering cooperatives through education and providing a transparent marketplace, iWrc enables businesses to source recycled materials responsibly while improving the livelihoods of workers in the informal recycling sector.
Target Audience
iWrc's primary customers are businesses seeking to integrate post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials into their supply chains, meet ESG targets, and ensure ethical sourcing from the recycling sector, as well as recycling cooperatives and autonomous waste pickers.
Features
- iWrc University: Online education platform providing training on health and safety, risk identification, fair trade, and cooperative management for waste pickers and cooperative members.
- Marketplace: Facilitates the trade of recyclable materials between cooperatives and businesses, ensuring fair pricing and transparent transactions.
- ESG Services: Offers ESG consulting, supply chain risk analysis, and sustainability strategy development to help businesses meet their environmental and social responsibility goals.
- Traceability Tool: "Empower" tracks the supply chain, providing insights into material origin and losses in the production process.
- Hub Network: Aggregates recyclable materials from multiple cooperatives, reducing logistics costs for businesses.
- Support for Reverse Logistics: Manages the reverse logistics of electronic waste, partnering with cooperatives for collection and processing.
- Impact Measurement: Tracks key performance indicators such as the number of trained cooperative members, tons of waste recycled, and income levels of participating workers.