Sachin Tendulkar invests in Hyderabad-based Recykal; backs mission to transform India's waste management

The investment comes as an extension of Recykal's $23 million bridge funding round, completed in June 2026. While the financial details of Tendulkar's participation have not been disclosed, his association is expected to strengthen the company's public outreach and encourage wider participation in environmentally responsible practices.

Founded in 2015 by Abhay Deshpande and Abhishek Deshpande, Recykal has developed a technology-driven ecosystem connecting businesses, waste collectors, aggregators and recycling companies. Its digital platforms facilitate the collection, recovery and commercial exchange of recyclable materials, helping businesses improve waste traceability and comply with environmental regulations.

The company also operates Deposit Return Systems (DRS), which encourage consumers to return used packaging in exchange for refundable deposits. Its technology portfolio includes artificial intelligence-enabled reverse vending machines designed to automate the collection of recyclable materials.

Tendulkar said his decision to associate with Recykal was influenced by the company's innovative use of technology to address an everyday environmental challenge. Drawing parallels with his cricketing career, he emphasised that meaningful progress requires discipline, consistency and sustained individual effort. He expressed confidence that the partnership could encourage millions of Indians to make responsible waste management part of their daily routines.

Recykal CEO and co-founder Abhay Deshpande welcomed Tendulkar's participation, describing it as an important development for the company's ambition to bring behavioural change to India's waste management ecosystem. He highlighted the potential of technology-enabled recycling systems to improve material recovery while encouraging greater public participation.

According to company disclosures, Recykal has facilitated the movement of more than 30 lakh metric tonnes of waste through its ecosystem. It works with over 650 brands, including Hindustan Unilever, Samsung and BMW, alongside more than 5,000 waste aggregators and recyclers.

The company has also reported substantial business growth, with gross revenue reaching approximately ₹1,498 crore during the 2025–26 financial year, representing an increase of around 53% over the previous year. Its expansion strategy includes strengthening digital infrastructure, scaling deposit return programmes and exploring international opportunities.

Tendulkar's investment comes at a time when India is placing increasing emphasis on waste segregation, recycling, plastic recovery and sustainable consumption. The partnership seeks to encourage citizens to view discarded materials as recoverable economic resources rather than merely waste.

For Hyderabad's emerging sustainability technology sector, the association represents another significant milestone, bringing one of India's most recognisable sporting personalities into a homegrown enterprise working to address the country's environmental challenges.