Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India

Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India.INrecent years, India has witnessed a burgeoning interest in circular economy principles, where the emphasis is on minimizing waste and maximizing the lifecycle of products and resources. This shift is driven by startups that are innovating across various sectors, from recycling and upcycling to sustainable product design and waste management. Here’s a detailed look at ten pioneering circular economy startups in India:

1. Karma Recycling

Attribute	Details
Founder(s)	Akshat Ghiya
Year Founded	2013
Location	Mumbai, Maharashtra
Overview	Karma Recycling refurbishes and resells electronic gadgets, contributing to e-waste reduction.
Impact	Extends the lifecycle of electronic devices, promoting sustainability in consumer electronics.

Karma Recycling – Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India

Overview: Karma Recycling focuses on extending the lifecycle of electronic gadgets by refurbishing and reselling them. They offer a platform for individuals and businesses to sell their old devices, which are then either refurbished for resale or recycled responsibly.
Impact: By reducing electronic waste (e-waste) through reuse and recycling, Karma Recycling contributes significantly to environmental sustainability.

2. RaddiConnect

Attribute	Details
Founder(s)	Priyadarshini Patwa, Arushi Aggarwal
Year Founded	2016
Location	Bangalore, Karnataka
Overview	RaddiConnect facilitates the recycling of paper, plastic, and metal scrap through a platform connecting households and businesses with local scrap dealers.
Impact	Promotes waste segregation and responsible disposal practices, reducing landfill waste.

RaddiConnect – Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India

Overview: RaddiConnect operates as a platform connecting households, schools, and businesses with local scrap dealers. They facilitate the recycling of paper, plastic, and metal scrap, promoting segregation and responsible disposal practices.
Impact: Encourages waste segregation at the source and supports local recycling businesses, thereby reducing landfill pressure and promoting resource recovery.

3. Boondhoo

Attribute	Details
Founder(s)	Meera Goradia, Piyush Agarwal
Year Founded	2017
Location	Mumbai, Maharashtra
Overview	Boondhoo upcycles discarded textiles and fashion waste into new products, collaborating with local artisans.
Impact	Reduces textile waste and promotes sustainable fashion alternatives.

Boondhoo – Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India

Overview: Boondhoo focuses on upcycling discarded textiles and fashion waste into new products. They work closely with local artisans and designers to create unique fashion items and accessories.
Impact: Reduces textile waste and supports local craftsmanship while promoting sustainable fashion alternatives.

4. Banyan Nation

Attribute	Details
Founder(s)	Mani Vajipey, Raj Madangopal
Year Founded	2013
Location	Hyderabad, Telangana
Overview	Banyan Nation recycles plastic waste into high-quality raw materials for manufacturing, focusing on sustainable packaging solutions.
Impact	Addresses plastic waste pollution by promoting a circular economy approach to plastic recycling.

Banyan Nation – Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India

Overview: Banyan Nation specializes in recycling plastic waste, transforming it into high-quality raw materials for manufacturing. They use innovative technologies to process plastic waste and collaborate with industries for sustainable packaging solutions.
Impact: Addresses the plastic waste crisis by closing the loop through recycling, thereby reducing environmental pollution and promoting a circular economy for plastics.

5. ReNew IT

Attribute	Details
Founder(s)	Mukund BS, Ramachandra Budihal
Year Founded	2009
Location	Bangalore, Karnataka
Overview	ReNew IT refurbishes and resells used computers and IT equipment, providing affordable technology solutions to various sectors.
Impact	Extends the life of electronic products and reduces e-waste generation.

ReNew IT – Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India

Overview: ReNew IT refurbishes and resells used computers and IT equipment. They provide affordable technology solutions to educational institutions, NGOs, and small businesses while promoting the reuse of electronic devices.
Impact: Extends the life of electronic products, reduces e-waste generation, and makes technology accessible to underserved communities.

6. Phool

Attribute	Details
Founder(s)	Ankit Agarwal, Prateek Khare
Year Founded	2017
Location	Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Overview	Phool upcycles temple floral waste into biodegradable products like incense sticks and vermicompost.
Impact	Reduces floral waste pollution and supports sustainable livelihoods for women through eco-friendly products.

Phool – Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India

Overview: Phool focuses on upcycling temple floral waste into biodegradable products such as incense sticks and natural vermicompost. They employ women from marginalized communities to handcraft these eco-friendly products.
Impact: Reduces floral waste pollution in rivers and promotes sustainable livelihoods for women through eco-friendly product manufacturing.

7. EnviGreen

Attribute	Details
Founder(s)	Ashwath Hegde
Year Founded	2011
Location	Bengaluru, Karnataka
Overview	EnviGreen produces eco-friendly and biodegradable alternatives to traditional plastic products using natural materials.
Impact	Reduces plastic pollution by offering sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.

EnviGreen – Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India

Overview: EnviGreen produces eco-friendly and biodegradable alternatives to traditional plastic products using natural materials. Their products include bags, packaging solutions, and tableware.
Impact: Offers sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics, thereby reducing plastic pollution and promoting compostable materials in everyday use.

8. EcoFemme

Attribute	Details
Founder(s)	Kathy Walkling, Jessamijn Miedema, Gomathi
Year Founded	2010
Location	Auroville, Tamil Nadu
Overview	EcoFemme manufactures and promotes reusable cloth pads as an eco-friendly alternative to disposable menstrual products.
Impact	Reduces menstrual waste and promotes menstrual health awareness among women.

EcoFemme – Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India

Overview: EcoFemme manufactures and promotes reusable cloth pads as an eco-friendly alternative to disposable menstrual products. They focus on menstrual health education and sustainable menstrual hygiene management.
Impact: Reduces menstrual waste and promotes menstrual health awareness among women, particularly in rural areas.

9. Saahas Zero Waste

Attribute	Details
Founder(s)	Wilma Rodrigues
Year Founded	2013
Location	Bangalore, Karnataka
Overview	Saahas Zero Waste provides integrated waste management solutions, focusing on waste segregation, recycling, and composting.
Impact	Promotes sustainable waste management practices and resource recovery.

Saahas Zero Waste – Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India

Overview: Saahas Zero Waste provides integrated waste management solutions to businesses, residential complexes, and cities. They focus on waste segregation, recycling, and composting to minimize landfill waste.
Impact: Promotes sustainable waste management practices, reduces landfill burden, and encourages resource recovery through recycling and composting.

10. TrashCon

Attribute	Details
Founder(s)	Nivedha RM, Vasanth Kumar Ganesan
Year Founded	2015
Location	Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Overview	TrashCon Solutions develops automated machines for decentralized waste management, including waste segregators and composters.
Impact	Improves waste processing efficiency and promotes decentralized waste management solutions.

TrashCon – Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India

Overview: TrashCon Solutions develops automated machines for decentralized waste management. Their products include waste segregators and composters that can handle various types of organic and inorganic waste.
Impact: Improves efficiency in waste processing, reduces transportation costs, and promotes decentralized waste management solutions across different sectors.

Frequently asked questions on Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India

1. What is a circular economy, and why is it important?

Answer: A circular economy is an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources. It emphasizes reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling to create a closed-loop system, minimizing the use of resource inputs and the creation of waste. This approach is important because it promotes sustainability, reduces environmental impact, and conserves natural resources.

2. Which startup is known for its innovative approach to waste management in India?

Answer: Sampurn(e)arth is known for its innovative approach to waste management in India. They provide end-to-end waste management solutions, ensuring that waste is processed sustainably and efficiently.

3. What does the startup Ecozen focus on, and how does it contribute to the circular economy?

Answer: Ecozen focuses on providing solar-powered cold storage solutions for the agricultural sector. By preserving produce longer, it reduces food waste and enhances farmers’ incomes, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient agricultural supply chain.

4. How does Attero Recycling contribute to electronic waste management?

Answer: Attero Recycling specializes in the recycling and disposal of electronic waste (e-waste). They use eco-friendly processes to extract valuable metals from e-waste, reducing environmental pollution and conserving resources.

5. Can you name a startup that works on upcycling waste materials in India?

Answer: Banyan Nation works on upcycling waste materials. They focus on recycling plastic waste into high-quality recycled granules that can be used in manufacturing, promoting the use of recycled materials in industrial processes.

6. What is the mission of the startup GEM Enviro Management?

Answer: The mission of GEM Enviro Management is to create a sustainable recycling ecosystem for PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottles in India. They work with various stakeholders to promote recycling and reduce plastic waste.

7. How does Carbon Masters help in reducing carbon emissions?

Answer: Carbon Masters helps reduce carbon emissions by converting organic waste into renewable energy products, such as biogas and organic fertilizers. This process not only reduces waste but also provides a sustainable energy source.

8. What unique service does the startup Karma Recycling offer?

Answer: Karma Recycling offers a unique service of refurbishing and reselling old electronic devices. They collect used electronics, refurbish them to extend their lifecycle, and resell them, thereby reducing e-waste and promoting reuse.

9. Which startup focuses on the circular economy in the textile industry?

Answer: Chindi focuses on the circular economy in the textile industry. They upcycle textile waste into new products, such as bags and accessories, promoting sustainable fashion and reducing textile waste.

10. How is Skrap contributing to waste-free events and offices?

Answer: Skrap provides services to help organizations and event planners reduce their waste footprint. They offer waste management solutions for offices and events, ensuring that waste is minimized, sorted, and recycled effectively.

CONCLUSION:

These ten startups exemplify India’s growing commitment to fostering a circular economy, where waste is minimized, resources are conserved, and environmental impact is reduced. By leveraging innovation and technology, these companies are not only addressing pressing environmental challenges but also creating opportunities for sustainable economic growth and social development. As they continue to expand their impact, they inspire others to embrace circular economy principles and contribute to a more sustainable future.

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