Kalhari Enterprises and Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksa were recognised as one of Asia’s greatest brands and leaders at the Pride of Asia Series Awards and Business Summit, and Asia’s Greatest Brands and Leaders 2018 in Singapore, recently.
The Kalhari Group which has its head office in Heiyantuduwa and factories in Sapugaskanda, Mahara and Minuwangoda, exports recycled tyre and rubber waste, used PET bottles and steel-dust.
The company has exported recycled material to five countries, including Thailand and Pakistan and has made a major impact on waste management and controlling environmental pollution in Sri Lanka, a company spokesman said.
Kalhari Group Chairman Kaushal Rajapaksa said, “One of our main export products is tyre waste, a large amount of which is produced in the tyre rebuilding industry.
The tyre dust is used to make artificial ‘green’ playing fields and rubber floor tiles in Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Pakistan produces oil from tyres. They also make shoe soles. Thailand produces solid tyres and conveyor belts.
Rajapaksa said, “Recycling should be the responsibility of the producer. We need to create awareness on the disposal of plastic and rubber products by implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) which will enable Sri Lanka to address the waste disposal and management problem.
“Kalhari is working on a web-based portal for the public to exchange used goods and to promote CSR activities by linking those who have such goods with those who need them. The disposer will make a post on the site to connect with a user who will find value in the waste. It will add a new web-based-dimension for the collection and disposal of waste. We are looking for partners to make this a success,” he said.