Twelve months of impact: Otto Systems reports on its Plastic Recovery Fund
One year after its launch, the Otto Systems Plastic Recovery Fund shows clear results on the ground. In partnership with rePurpose Global, it supports waste collection, recycling infrastructure and fair employment in rural Kerala, India. With 1,500 livelihoods supported and 225,000 kilograms of plastic recovered, the project shows how circularity works when the right systems are in place. The fund is the first of its kind from a system and mould manufacturer.
While recyclability has become a clear focus in the packaging industry these efforts can only reach their full potential when supported by functioning collection and processing systems. In Kerala, nearly 70% of waste is generated in villages, yet only a small fraction is formally collected. The Otto Systems Plastic Recovery Fund – the first of its kind from a system and mould manufacturer – directly addresses this gap by financing decentralised systems for collection, sorting, and responsible treatment of plastic waste currently active in 42 rural communities.
Over the past twelve months, the fund has enabled the recovery of 225,000 kilograms of low-value plastic waste. All collected materials are processed in line with rePurpose Global’s Verified Plastic Recovery standards, ensuring full traceability and zero leakage into nature. Earlier this year, the owners of Otto Systems, Otto and Brigitt Hofstetter, travelled to Kerala to see the project’s impact first-hand and engage with local partners and communities. More important than the quantity is what stands behind it: infrastructure upgrades including new material recovery facilities, mechanised sorting equipment and enhanced recycling capacity for low-value plastics. These investments are key to making circularity operational in regions where public systems are limited or under-resourced.
Beyond environmental results, the fund also delivers strong social impact. To date, 1,558 livelihoods have been supported, 98 percent of them held by women. Workers receive fair wages, safety equipment, skills training and digital tools that increase both security and independence. This combination of technical and social impact shows what is possible when industry steps beyond its traditional boundaries and invests where the need is greatest.
The Otto Systems Plastic Recovery Fund highlights a key truth: Circularity does not fail because of the material – it fails when infrastructure is missing. By acting where the need is tangible, Otto Systems and rePurpose Global are enabling measurable environmental and social progress – one village at a time.
Customers of Otto Systems can contribute directly to this mission. Participation in the fund is confirmed with certification and impact data that can be integrated into their own sustainability reporting.
About Otto Systems: Founded in 2017 by Otto Hofstetter AG, Otto Systems is a consulting and engineering company focused on solutions for special applications in the world of PET preform production. The Swiss company offers high-quality, integrated production systems with a modular and standardised design. The current product portfolio features injection moulding systems with side entry and a clamping force of 160, 240 and 320 tonnes and supports the integration of top-entry moulds.
About rePurpose Global: rePurpose Global is the world’s leading plastic action platform, dedicated to reducing plastic waste by partnering with brands, consumers, innovators, and policymakers. They work across the Americas, Africa, and Asia to empower communities, protect ecosystems, and foster a circular economy.
Caption for the opening image: Thanks to the dedicated work of women in the recovery system, 225,000 kilograms of plastic were recovered over the past twelve months.