Turning Waste Into Wealth: Revolutionizing the Circular Economy with Simar Bedi, Sol Recycling

Every time I take out the recycling at my apartment, I cringe. The bin is full of sticky, unwashed containers, food-covered cardboard, and plastics that definitely don’t belong there. My neighbors clearly don’t realize (or don’t care) that tossing the wrong things in can ruin an entire batch of recycling. And honestly? Most people don’t understand how recycling actually works.

The reality is, much of what we think is being recycled actually ends up in landfills. It’s a broken system, and businesses and consumers alike are paying the price—financially and environmentally.

But what if waste wasn’t the end of the cycle, but the beginning of something valuable?

In a recent episode of The Wild Party Podcast, I sat down with Simar Bedi, CEO of Sol Recycling, a company on a mission to disrupt the waste management industry and prove that recycling isn’t just good for the planet—it can also be profitable. Simar is redefining what it means to run a sustainable business by helping companies cut costs, implement zero waste programs, and transform waste into a revenue-generating resource.

The Hidden Truth About Waste Management

Most of us toss items into our blue bins, assuming they’ll be sorted and recycled. But according to Simar, the vast majority of what we think is being recycled is actually being dumped into landfills.

Why? Because of a conflict of interest within the waste management industry.

“Recycling is actually the kryptonite to big waste companies,” Simar explained. “They have major investments in landfills, so their best business model is to fill them. The recycling initiatives they offer are often just a form of greenwashing.”

In other words, the companies that are supposed to handle recycling have no real incentive to make it work—because landfills are more profitable than recycling. This means that businesses and individuals who think they’re reducing waste may actually be contributing to the problem.

How Businesses Can Profit from Waste Management

Simar believes that waste isn’t trash—it’s a resource. And businesses that treat it as such can cut costs, improve efficiency, and even generate revenue.

At Sol Recycling, he developed a profit-sharing model where companies separate their waste—and get paid for valuable materials like cardboard, aluminum, and paper.

When he first started, convincing businesses to try this model wasn’t easy. Many were skeptical, assuming it was just another scheme that would lead to more costs.

So he tried a bold strategy.

He walked into businesses holding a check.

“This is your first month’s payment on the stuff you’re throwing in the garbage,” he would say.

For many business owners, this was an eye-opening moment. They realized that what they saw as “waste” actually had monetary value—and that by partnering with Sol Recycling, they could turn trash into profit.

The Circular Economy: The Future of Waste Management

So what’s the long-term solution?

Simar and his team are working toward full circularity, meaning waste never actually becomes waste—it stays in the economy, reused and repurposed indefinitely.

A great example? Coffee cups.

Most disposable coffee cups can’t be recycled because they contain plastic linings. But Sol Recycling is working with major brands to develop fully biodegradable cups that can be collected, processed, and turned back into new cups—completing the loop of the circular economy.

“This is the future,” Simar says. “One day, we’ll be digging up old landfills just to recover valuable materials that we threw away.”

A true circular economy means designing waste out of the system entirely, ensuring that products are made to be reused, recycled, or composted, rather than discarded.

Why Zero Waste Should Be a Goal for Every Business

More businesses are recognizing that zero waste isn’t just an environmental goal—it’s a smart financial decision.

Sol Recycling works with businesses to audit their waste, identifying how much of it can be recycled, what equipment they need, and how they can maximize profitability.

Here’s how it works:
✔️ Waste Audit – A team evaluates what a business is throwing away and determines the potential value.
✔️ Separation Strategy – Businesses receive a plan for sorting materials properly to ensure they get the highest return.
✔️ Equipment & Logistics – Sol Recycling provides bins, compactors, or balers to help streamline the process.
✔️ Data & Transparency – Companies receive reports on how much waste they’ve diverted from landfills, their environmental impact, and even how much water and energy they’ve saved.

The end result? A sustainable business model that reduces landfill waste, improves efficiency, and creates a new revenue stream.

The Dark Side of Plastic—and Why We Need to Stop Using It

One of the biggest culprits in the waste management crisis is plastic.

“Plastic is the cancer of the Earth,” Simar warns. “It contaminates our waterways, pollutes the air when burned, and releases harmful microplastics into our bodies. The best thing you can do is boycott plastic products altogether.”

Here’s the shocking reality:
❌ 80% of plastic waste ends up in landfills or the ocean.
❌ Plastics release toxic chemicals when they break down.
❌ Microplastics have been found in human blood, organs, and even newborn babies.

The good news? Consumers have real power.

“If everyone boycotted plastic water bottles today, manufacturers would be forced to change in just six weeks,” Simar explains. “Consumer behavior drives corporate change faster than people realize.”

How You Can Take Action Today

If you’re a business owner, the first step is to understand your waste. Sol Recycling offers waste audits to help companies determine how much waste they produce, what’s recyclable, and how they can cut costs.

If you’re an individual, the simplest step you can take is to eliminate plastic from your life.

Here are three easy ways to start living a more sustainable lifestyle:
✔️ Use reusable containers – Stainless steel or glass water bottles are a great alternative.
✔️ Buy better, buy less – Invest in durable products rather than disposable ones.
✔️ Be mindful of packaging – Choose products with biodegradable or recyclable packaging whenever possible.

Listen to the Full Episode

Simar’s story is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurs—not politicians—are the real drivers of change. By challenging the traditional waste industry, he’s proving that businesses can be both profitable and sustainable.

Let’s start rethinking waste, together!

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