Yashraj Bhardwaj of Plannex Recycling on Building a Tech-First Circular Economy, EPR-Led Compliance, and Scalable Waste Management in India

StartupTalky presents Recap'25, a series of exclusive interviews where we connect with founders and industry leaders to reflect on their journey in 2025 and discuss their vision for the future.

In this edition of Recap’25, StartupTalky speaks with Yashraj Bhardwaj, Co-Founder and CSO of Plannex Recycling, who reflects on India’s rapidly evolving waste management ecosystem and the urgent need to move beyond fragmented, manual recycling systems toward scalable, technology-led circular solutions. Drawing from his experience building Plannex, Bhardwaj highlights how inefficiencies in reverse logistics and lack of transparency have historically limited India’s recycling potential—and why operational excellence is just as critical as sustainability intent.

He goes on to discuss how Plannex Recycling is addressing these challenges through its proprietary waste ERP platform, AI-powered sorting, and GPS-tracked collection systems, enabling precision, compliance, and measurable impact across multiple waste streams. The conversation also explores the growing role of EPR mandates, the shift toward integrated waste management models, and Plannex’s roadmap for expanding its collection network, recycling capacity, and global footprint—while staying anchored to its vision of a zero-waste, circular economy.

StartupTalky: What service does Plannex provide? What was the motivation/vision with which you started?

Yashraj Bhardwaj: Plannex Recycling provides end-to-end waste management and recycling solutions across e-waste, plastics, batteries, tyres, solar panels, and metals. We handle collection, segregation, recycling, and value creation, while enabling businesses to comply with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates. Founded in 2021, our motivation was to address a critical gap in India’s waste management ecosystem, which faced inefficiencies in reverse logistics and fragmented recycling systems.

Our vision is to transform waste into a resource, combining technology, innovation, and operational excellence to build a circular economy. Through our proprietary waste ERP platform, GPS-tracked mobile apps, and AI-powered sorting, we ensure precision, transparency, and scalability. Plannex’s model empowers communities, businesses, and governments to manage waste efficiently while reducing environmental impact. Today, with over 70 collection centres, multiple recycling facilities, and a dedicated team, we continue to redefine India’s recycling landscape, demonstrating that sustainability and operational excellence can go hand in hand. Our ultimate goal is a zero-waste future where every resource is repurposed, supporting environmental stewardship and societal progress.

StartupTalky: What new services have been added in the past year? What is/are the USP/s of your service?

Yashraj Bhardwaj: In the past year, Plannex has strengthened its offerings through advanced technology integration and enhanced operational capabilities. We launched India’s first proprietary waste ERP platform that enables real-time GPS-tracked waste collection and AI-powered sorting for multiple waste streams, enhancing efficiency and transparency. Our expanded services include consulting, PRO services, aggregation, trading, and warehousing, making Plannex a comprehensive, one-stop solution for sustainable waste management.

The USP of our services lies in our technology-driven, scalable, and precise approach. Our four-step model- collection, segregation, recycling, and value creation ensures businesses achieve environmental targets while supporting the circular economy. Standardized processes and automation allow us to overcome inefficiencies inherent in India’s fragmented recycling sector.

StartupTalky: How has the industry you are in changed in recent years and how has your company adapted to these changes?

Yashraj Bhardwaj: India’s waste management industry has evolved due to rapid urbanization, increasing waste volumes, and stronger regulatory focus on sustainability. Traditionally fragmented, the sector lacked scalable, tech-enabled solutions to efficiently manage waste. Plannex responded by developing 70+ collection centres, multiple recycling facilities, and India’s first proprietary waste ERP platform, which integrates AI-based sorting and GPS-tracked logistics.

Our standardized processes and automation enhance operational efficiency while ensuring compliance with EPR regulations. Collaborating with global partners and leveraging technology, we have been able to serve a diverse clientele including communities, enterprises, and government bodies, while scaling our impact. Our approach allows us to recycle complex waste streams like e-waste, plastics, tyres, and solar panels, reducing landfill dependency.

StartupTalky: What key metrics do you track to check the company's growth and performance?

Yashraj Bhardwaj: At Plannex, we track metrics that reflect both operational and financial health. Core indicators include waste volumes processed, currently exceeding 250,000 metric tonnes annually across e-waste, plastics, batteries, tyres, solar panels, and metals. Financial performance is monitored through turnover, which exceeds USD 25 million, and EBITDA, currently over 26%, reflecting operational efficiency. We also track the expansion of collection centres and recycling facilities, ensuring geographic reach aligns with strategic growth objectives.

Technology adoption metrics, such as utilization rates of our proprietary waste ERP platform, AI sorting efficiency, and GPS-tracked logistics performance, provide insights into process effectiveness. Impact metrics including material recovery rates, landfill diversion, and EPR compliance—measure the environmental and societal outcomes of our operations. Collectively, these metrics guide decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and demonstrate Plannex’s commitment to sustainable, scalable, and efficient waste management. Monitoring both business performance and ecological impact ensures our growth aligns with our mission to build a circular economy.

StartupTalky: What were the most significant challenges your company faced in the past year and how did you overcome them?

Yashraj Bhardwaj: One of the major challenges Plannex faced was navigating India’s fragmented recycling sector, where formal systems were limited and stakeholders were unfamiliar with tech-driven processes. Establishing a reverse logistics network connecting waste generators to recyclers demanded operational insight and consistent execution. To overcome these challenges, we standardized operations, automated workflows, and deployed India’s first proprietary waste ERP platform with AI-powered sorting and GPS-enabled tracking.

This approach allowed us to manage complex waste streams efficiently, and gain stakeholder trust. Strategic partnerships and operational rigor ensured scalability while maintaining service quality. These efforts not only addressed systemic inefficiencies but also positioned Plannex as a trusted leader in India’s recycling ecosystem. Our resilience, technology focus, and commitment to sustainability enabled us to overcome operational hurdles while continuing to deliver measurable environmental impact and advancing the country’s circular economy objectives.

StartupTalky: What are the different strategies you use for marketing? Tell us about any growth hack that you pulled off.

Yashraj Bhardwaj: Plannex employs a multi-faceted approach to engage enterprises, communities, and government stakeholders. Awareness campaigns educate the public on the value of recycling, while our technology-driven messaging highlights GPS-tracked collection, AI-powered sorting, and proprietary ERP capabilities, differentiating us in the market. Strategic partnerships with global players and local stakeholders enable rapid scaling and strengthen credibility.

A notable growth strategy has been leveraging our integrated B2B model, which combines collection, recycling, consulting, and value creation, attracting businesses seeking EPR compliance and sustainable solutions. By standardizing operations and demonstrating measurable impact, we create trust and drive adoption across diverse sectors. Operational transparency, innovation, and tech-enabled processes act as organic growth drivers, allowing Plannex to efficiently expand its footprint, gain industry recognition, and reinforce its position as a thought leader in India’s evolving waste management sector.

StartupTalky: What opportunities do you see for future growth in your industry in India and the world? What kind of difference in market behavior have you seen between India and the world?

Yashraj Bhardwaj: India presents immense growth opportunities in waste management due to rising waste generation, urbanization, and increasing regulatory emphasis on sustainability. Globally, recycling infrastructure is more structured, with widespread technology adoption and established compliance mechanisms, whereas India’s market remains fragmented, creating both challenges and opportunities for tech-driven players. Plannex plans to bridge this gap by expanding collection centres, increasing recycling capacity, and building state-of-the-art facilities.

The global market is more mature, with efficiency and innovation being primary differentiators, while India demands solutions that combine infrastructure development with technology adoption. Leveraging these insights, Plannex aims to scale internationally, targeting Dubai and Armenia by 2028, exporting our innovation-driven model. This dual approach allows us to lead India’s transition toward a circular economy while learning from global practices, enabling sustainable growth, enhanced operational efficiency, and measurable environmental impact.

StartupTalky: How do you plan to expand the Customers, service offering, and team base in the future?

Yashraj Bhardwaj: Plannex’s expansion strategy focuses on customers, services, and workforce. On the customer front, we aim to serve more enterprises, municipalities, and communities by expanding our collection network from 70+ to 130 centres by 2026. Service offerings will grow through the launch of additional plastic and e-waste recycling plants, enhanced PRO services, and consulting capabilities. Technological advancements, including AI-powered sorting and ERP enhancements, will strengthen our value proposition.

For our team, we plan to grow more professionals in the coming year, fostering an inclusive, mission-driven culture that prioritizes innovation and sustainability. By combining operational scalability, advanced technology, and strategic partnerships, Plannex seeks to deliver measurable environmental impact, broaden market presence, and establish itself as a global leader in sustainable waste management. These steps align with our vision of a circular economy, where every resource is repurposed, benefiting businesses, communities, and the planet.

StartupTalky: One tip that you would like to share with another Service company founder?

Yashraj Bhardwaj: Focus on solving real-world problems rather than simply providing services. Understand your market deeply, anticipate gaps, and tailor solutions that address genuine needs. Build a business around operational excellence, technology adoption, and stakeholder trust, ensuring scalability without compromising quality.

Standardize processes, leverage strategic partnerships, and continuously measure impact to optimize efficiency and outcomes. Equally important is cultivating a mission-driven culture, where every decision aligns with long-term sustainability, customer value, and societal impact. By prioritizing purpose, innovation, and execution, service companies can build credibility, scale effectively, and create lasting impact in their industry.

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