Apurupa Gorthi, Senior Manager, Plastics Recycling Engineer

She/Her/Hers

Apurupa is a researcher and analyst with deep experience in inculcating circularity in sustainability and development sectors. She is a systems thinker who enjoys working with stakeholders and evidence-based research to arrive at solutions that address the needs of communities as much as that of the planet. In the past she has worked on strategizing for a single-use plastic legislation, examining the impact of microplastic on riverine ecosystems, EPR for plastic packaging, environmental management of healthcare waste, and designing a curriculum for sustainable livelihoods in waste management. Apurupa brings a multi-disciplinary background in engineering, science, and policy research to The Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition. Her interest in solving everyday sustainability problems got her involved in circular plastics and the design of zero-waste policy.

Why I Care About Recycling and a Circular Economy

“Waste generation is inevitable. It is a by-product of being alive. I want to contribute to minimizing its impact on people and the planet.”

Personal Passions and Interests

Apurupa is a complete homebody who enjoys spending her time watching every TV show under the sun, reading (mostly non-fiction), painting (she recently discovered her love for watercolors), and training in the Indian classical dance form of Kathak. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and hopes to adopt a cat soon!

Highlights

• M.S. in Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (Purdue University)
• B.E. in Chemical Engineering (Ramaiah Institute of Technology)