This Pune-based Startup Is Making Stylish Bags And Accessories Completely Out Of Plastic Waste
All we need to do is recycle the waste, reuse our resources as much as we can and reduce pollution. A Pune based start-up is doing just that.
Sustainability comes up in all conversations whenever anyone talks about any new products, especially now since humans cannot afford to pollute the earth anymore. All we need to do is recycle the waste, reuse our resources as much as we can and reduce pollution. A Pune-based startup is doing just that.
Pune-based startup turns potato chips packets into handbags
A Pune-based start-up called, EcoKaari, is collecting all kinds of plastic and turning it into unique handbags using traditional techniques.
"¡®Eco¡¯ means eco-friendly, and ¡®Kaari¡¯ means Kaarigar (artisan). Our name represents the relationship between the Artisans and Environment, and they both are interconnected and interdependent. India¡¯s handicraft heritage has continually drawn inspiration from the environment, and Mother Earth has always been an integral part of our lives," reads the brand's description on their website.
They collect waste, destined to pollute the land and oceans, and transform it into useful and ethically-produced handbags of all kinds.
Meet the founder
Nandan Bhatt, a man with an engineering and marketing background was living a comfortable life, with a good bank balance. A trekking enthusiast, Bhatt connected with nature during his corporate job.
"Such opportunities provided a great release from stress but at the same time, I used to be at [sic] pain to see urban trash, mainly in the form of plastic, littering the beautiful countryside," Bhatt wrote on EcoKaari's website.
He always wanted to be an entrepreneur, so he took the plunge and set up a workshop that would eventually become EcoKaari. He arranged for the hardware and raw materials, assembled a like-minded team, upskilled them, set up the processes, did quality checks, pitched to customers and at the same time kept the show running at home with a toddler and ageing parents to support. Things, however, gradually began to fall in place as EcoKaari started taking shape.
The brand supports artisans and promotes traditional techniques
The process at the startup is manual labour-oriented and involves a degree of craftsmanship. From handbags to wallets, tote bags and book covers, all the products in the brand¡¯s e-store have been handmade by artisans from all kinds of waste using traditional techniques like weaving with a charkha. Business Insider India reported Nandan Bhat as saying that in one year, the brand has recycled nearly 1.7 million plastic bags and packaging items, and that this could rise to more than 4.7 million items in the next fiscal year.
Would you buy these sustainable products?
For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.
I'm a writer with a zest for life and a knack for turning everyday moments into captivating stories. Whether you're a haute couture enthusiast or a thrift shop aficionado, I've got style tips that'll make heads turn. But what truly sets my heart on fire is writing about queer issues. I'm here to amplify diverse voices and stories.
Read More
