In a very short period of operation, the Trash2Cash (T2C) project has sparked a wave of change across Sri Lanka’s recycling landscape. Launched amidst a national crisis where over 938 metric tons of plastic waste are generated daily, with only 4% entering formal recycling streams Trash2Cash dared to ask: What if recycling could be smart, easy, and rewarding? And the answer has been resounding.
Powered by innovation and driven by purpose, Trash2Cash has shown what’s possible when technology meets community action. In just eight weeks, over 1,848 kilograms of plastic waste, primarily PET bottles, were collected through a combination of smart recycling bins and our app-based doorstep pickup service. More than 3,600 individuals engaged with the system, actively choosing to recycle rather than discard. This shift in mindset represents the true impact: a lifetime of plastic that may now never enter our environment. The project offers a promising and replicable model, one that empowers people, changes habits, and sets the foundation for long-term environmental gains.
At the heart of this movement is technology fused with community. Ten state-of-the-art smart recycling bins were installed in high-footfall locations: churches, schools, government offices equipped to reward users instantly via a unique mobile app. Recyclers earn points that can be redeemed as mobile reloads or utility bill payments, a first-of-its-kind incentive model in Sri Lanka. The result? 1,220 users registered on the app, and more than 3,600 people actively engaged with the bins, many of them becoming repeat recyclers.
But this wasn’t just about tech, it was about transforming lives. Ten micro-entrepreneurs, 70% of them women, were not only trained but actively empowered to lead collection operations, engage their communities, and drive the recycling movement at the grassroots. For many, this initiative became their first sustainable source of income, unlocking economic opportunities that had previously been out of reach. By turning recyclable waste into a revenue stream, the project helped catalyze a shift from dependency to financial self-reliance. This gender-inclusive model positioned women not just as participants, but as key agents of change in the circular economy proving that environmental action can go hand-in-hand with livelihood creation and long-term economic empowerment.
What makes Trash2Cash truly revolutionary is how deeply it integrates sustainability and behaviour change. A dynamic communications campaign, door-to-door visits, school activations, reached 93% of households in our target communities, nearly doubling the awareness target. And the community responded with enthusiasm and pride, recognizing that this wasn’t just a pilot it was a new way of life.
The project also introduced two major innovations;
These bold ideas proved that when recycling is convenient, rewarding, and community-owned, people don’t just participate, they lead.
As we look to the future, Trash2Cash has laid a strong foundation for national scale-up. Its model supports emerging frameworks like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit Refund Schemes (DRS). With proven impact, strong community buy-in, and operational readiness, this smart circular economy initiative is ready to be replicated across regions turning every neighborhood into a clean, green powerhouse.
From plastic to possibility. From users to changemakers. Trash2Cash is not just collecting waste it’s collecting momentum for a more sustainable, inclusive, and circular Sri Lanka.
