Saahas was registered as a not- for- profit under the Society’s Act in 2001. The not-for-profit focuses on building capacities of public institutions like the Municipal Corporation as well as support progressive policies around waste management.
Challenge –
Bangalore is fast on its way to becoming a dumping ground for waste. It generates municipal solid waste to the tune of an astounding 4000 tonnes a day and the highest quantum of e-waste in India at 50 tonnes a day. Despite government regulations and guidelines on waste handling and management, there exists a huge disconnect between policy and practice. Individuals and organizations are grappling with fundamental issues such as lack of understanding, resources and experience to implement good waste management practices. Realizing the gravity of the situation and with the objective of driving environmental and behavioural change, Sahaas was born in 2001.
Business Model –
Having started as a non-profit organization, Saahas’ initial role was to create awareness and motivate communities to adopt waste management practices. However, they realized that while organizations intended to act upon the conviction, they lacked the platform and understanding to implement waste management. Today, Sahaas is a registered private limited company that provides professional waste management solutions and services to industries, companies, schools, communities and apartments across Bangalore.
Through the Zero Waste Programme they operate on site solutions for bulk waste generators including tech parks and residential complexes. For smaller generators, they offer holistic waste management which includes collection and process at Kasa Rasa waste processing center
In the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, they partner with packaging companies and E-Waste producers to develop and implement a reverse logistics mechanism that facilitates in bringing back bulk volumes of waste into the recycling chain.
Products –
- PolyAl roofing sheets made from recycled Post Consumer Tetra Pak Cartons (With Aluminium layer on one side)
- Chipboard made from recycled post-consumer Tetra Pak Cartons – a good alternative to conventional plywood
- Gifting products made from recycled chipboard
- eWaste bin made from chipboard
- Stationery items like customised books, pens, A4 reams for printers, visiting cards etc
- C-Folds and Tissue rolls made from recycled post-consumer Tetra pack cartons
- Backpacks, laptop bags and T-shirts recycled from PET bottles
- Organic compost and vermicompost prepared from kitchen waste
Ref –
- http://saahaszerowaste.com/products
- https://yourstory.com/2015/04/saahas-waste/
- http://saahaszerowaste.com/
About author – Pramod Bhurji, BIRAC Social Innovation Immersion Programme Fellow at Venture Center, Pune