A new waste recycling machine would go a long way in improving waste management efficiency and supporting a cleaner environment.

And for Vatuwaqa-based waste recycling company Axis Pte Ltd, it was a boost sorely needed and fulfilled with a business support grant from the New Zealand Government funded Business Link Pacific (BLP) through Business Assistance Fiji (BAF).

Company director Hemant Mahyavanshi saw it as a much needed impetus to lift the business to new heights and used the funds to buy a new machine from China.

Within weeks of its installation, Axis Pte Ltd had already begun making impact.

But how did it all start?

Mr Mahyavanshi, whose inspiration drawn from recyclable waste was what led him in the first place, to setting up the business, is no stranger to waste.

His previous job in landfill management exposed him to Fiji’s big waste problem.

“My inspiration for getting involved in recycling efforts stems from my time working with CJ Patel on landfill management,” he said in an interview with BAF.

“The landfill at Naboro is rapidly filling up, with a significant amount of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials being dumped there.

“Currently, people are discarding plastics carelessly, contributing to this growing problem.”

Mr Mahyavanshi’s background in manufacturing, which spans over three decades, began with his position as a manufacturing manager at CJ Patel.

It laid the groundwork for his current venture.

“I was directly involved with the environmental department in terms of recycling and manufacturing products,” he said.

It didn’t take long for him to connect the dots and see a business opportunity in waste recycling and supplying packaging to small local businesses – the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Axis Pte Ltd now manufactures and supplies a wide range of products made from recycled waste, including water bottles, jars, plastic bottles, spray bottles, windproof gas lighters, paper products like cups and lunch boxes and garbage bags/non-woven products.

“I saw an opportunity for doing this packaging stuff for MSMEs. That gave an inspiration to assist these people and develop our own business,” Mr Mahyavanshi said.

Today, Axis Pte Ltd caters to a diverse customer base, providing essential packaging solutions for products ranging from raw honey and garlic powder to chemicals and food items.

As Axis Pte Ltd grows, so does its workforce.

Currently employing 20 permanent staff, the company plans to hire additional employees to support its expanding recycling operations.

“With the new recycling machine, we need another three or four employees to ensure continuous operation,” Mr Mahyavanshi said.

With an ultimate goal of recycling about 20 tonnes of plastic a month, Axis Pte Ltd has reached out to several companies that generate a lot of plastic waste through packaging.

“Our plan is to collect and recycle these plastics. In fact, we have already begun this process.

“We have partnered with neighbouring companies around Lami and have completed three or four trial runs.”

The company is also in talks with Waste Recyclers Pte Ltd to synergise with its extensive plastic waste collection infrastructure.

“By collaborating with them, we aim to enhance our recycling efforts, ultimately reducing the country’s carbon footprint,” Mr Mahyavanshi said.