Mangala Resource Management, an eco‑start‑up based in Mangalore, has commissioned a new unit at Mulky that converts plastic waste into premium quality lumps (gutta). The facility complements four government‑run material recovery plants in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, bolstering Karnataka’s rural waste‑management network.

Key Takeaways

  • Mulky unit processes LDPE, HM and PP raffia plastics into high‑grade lumps
  • Recovers 8,000 tons of waste annually, serving 250 villages
  • Gutta used by plastic manufacturers for PVC pipes, chairs and buckets

Mangalore, July 12, 2026 – Eco‑start‑up Mangala Resource Management Pvt. Ltd. has commissioned a new recycling line in Mulky, Karnataka, that transforms low‑density polyethylene (LDPE), high‑molecular (HM) and polypropylene (PP) raffia plastics into high‑quality plastic lumps, known locally as “gutta.” This represents the second tier of plastic recycling after the initial segregation stage.

Advanced Plastic Recycling Process

Executive Director Ranjan Bellarpady explained that the Mulky unit, inaugurated on Saturday, eliminates the need to transport segregated plastic in bale form. Instead, the plant directly extrudes the plastics into lumps suitable for downstream manufacturing, reducing logistics costs and ensuring a steadier supply of raw material for local industries.

Impact on Local Industry and Environment

Managing Director Dilraj Alva highlighted that the produced lumps are fed to plastic factories for making PVC pipes, chairs, and buckets. The start‑up already operates three material recovery facilities (MRFs) in Dakshina Kannada and one in Udupi district on behalf of the state government, covering villages across Nitte, Narikombu, Yedapadavu and Kedambady. Together, these plants process roughly 8,000 tons of waste each year, benefiting about one million residents along Karnataka’s coastline.

Comprehensive Waste Segregation

Mangala’s model separates 30 categories of dry waste at the source. According to Bellarpady, 45 % of the collected waste consists of recyclable material, while the remaining 55 % – comprising items like slippers, clothing, and multi‑layer packaging – is directed to cement factories. This dual‑track approach reduces landfill pressure and creates value‑added products from otherwise discarded plastics.

Future Expansion Plans

With the Mulky unit now operational, the company plans to replicate the model across other rural districts in Karnataka. By converting plastic waste into usable lumps on‑site, Mangala aims to accelerate the state’s transition toward a circular economy, setting a benchmark for waste‑to‑resource initiatives in South India.