Green startups turn trash into cash

The young entrepreneurs at the Institute of Management Bangalore refuse to see trash as waste. At ‘Social Start-Up Santhe’, an event organised by the Institute on Friday, they showcased their talent in making the best use of waste.

Eco-friendly, recycled and bio-degradable products were on display at the event organised by IIMB’s NS Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL) in collaboration with Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.

Water weeds pose the biggest challenge to the civic authorities. However, Leafcraft, a Nelamangala-based start-up run by a women self-help group, has come up with beautiful handicraft works made out of these weeds.

“I had heard that most of the start-ups are a failure. But after coming here, I understood that it’s not,” Sanjana, an aspiring entrepreneur told DH.

“Until our product or concept is innovative nothing is a failure. As most of the products are mainly focused on tackling the waste, this proves still more can be done to be an entrepreneur,” Sanjana said.

Pranapoorna, another start-up, has come up with the natural cleaners.
Peels of fruits that have citrus acid, soapnut and other desi products are all that they need to produce these natural cleaners.

“Instead of harming the nature by using commercial chemical cleaners, we found out the solution by producing the same cleaners with our desi products. These cleaners can be used for multiple purposes,” said Lakshmi, the founder of the start-up.

Besides, the other start-ups had also focused on the waste. How the Doormats made of waste clothes, attractive jewellery and other eco-friendly products were on display.