Suneil Mundhe

Indian social entrepreneur leveraging AI to combat plastic pollution through EcoMatcher platform

Suneil Mundhe (b. 1992) is a visionary entrepreneur whose work has made significant global impact through his creation of EcoMatcher, an AI-driven platform connecting plastic waste collectors with recycling companies. Born in Mumbai, India, Suneil's early exposure to environmental challenges inspired his mission to address the world's plastic crisis while creating economic opportunities for marginalized communities.

Launched in 2020 during the pandemic, EcoMatcher uses machine learning algorithms to optimize waste collection routes and verify plastic quantities through smartphone images. This innovation has enabled informal waste pickers to receive fair payment instantly via digital wallets while ensuring recyclers get consistent raw material supplies. The platform now operates in 15 Indian cities and 3 Southeast Asian countries, diverting over 50 million kg of plastic from landfills annually.

Suneil's approach combines environmental stewardship with social enterprise principles. He partnered with UNDP to scale the model across Asia, and his TEDx talk "How AI Can Solve the Plastic Crisis" has reached over 2 million viewers. His work has been featured in Forbes Tech Council and National Geographic.

What makes Suneil's impact unique is the triple bottom line approach: reducing ocean plastic by 12% in pilot areas, providing dignified work for 15,000+ waste workers, and saving businesses $80 million annually through efficient recycling. His 2023 collaboration with Adidas to source ocean-bound plastic for footwear marked a major corporate partnership milestone.