Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India
Discover the top 10 circular economy startups in India driving sustainability through innovative waste management, recycling, and resource conservation. Learn how these pioneering companies are transforming industries and contributing to a greener future.
Table of Contents
The circular economy is a model of production and consumption that aims to extend the life cycle of products by reusing, refurbishing, recycling, and reducing waste. In India, several startups have embraced this concept, driving innovation and sustainability across various sectors. Here are the top 10 circular economy startups in India that are making a significant impact.
1. Attero Recycling
Founders: Nitin Gupta and Rohan Gupta
Founded: 2008
Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Attero Recycling is one of India’s largest electronic asset management companies and clean tech providers. The startup focuses on e-waste management and recycling, offering end-to-end solutions from collection to recycling. Attero uses advanced technology to extract valuable metals from e-waste, reducing environmental pollution and conserving natural resources. Their innovative approach not only helps in managing e-waste but also recovers precious materials, contributing significantly to the circular economy.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founders | Nitin Gupta and Rohan Gupta |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Noida, Uttar Pradesh |
| Focus Area | E-waste management and recycling |
| Website | Attero Recycling |
Read more: Top 10 HealthTech Startups in India
2. Waste Ventures India
Founder: Wilma Rodrigues
Founded: 2011
Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana
Waste Ventures India is dedicated to transforming waste management through sustainable practices. The startup provides waste collection and processing services, ensuring that waste is converted into valuable resources. They emphasize composting, recycling, and creating bio-fuel from organic waste. By working closely with local communities and waste pickers, Waste Ventures India not only addresses the waste problem but also provides livelihoods to marginalized sections of society.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founder | Wilma Rodrigues |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Focus Area | Waste collection, composting, recycling |
| Website | Waste Ventures India |
Read more: Top 10 Fintech Startups in India
3. Kabadiwala Connect
Founder: Mani Vajipey
Founded: 2014
Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Kabadiwala Connect leverages technology to streamline waste management and recycling processes. The platform connects households and businesses with local waste collectors and recyclers. Through their mobile app and web platform, users can schedule pickups for recyclable materials, ensuring efficient waste management. Kabadiwala Connect’s model promotes recycling and reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills, thus supporting the circular economy.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founder | Mani Vajipey |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Focus Area | Waste management technology |
| Website | Kabadiwala Connect |
Read more: Top 10 Agritech Startups in India
4. Daily Dump
Founder: Poonam Bir Kasturi
Founded: 2006
Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka
Daily Dump aims to change how urban households manage their waste. The startup provides composting solutions for households, encouraging people to convert organic waste into compost. Daily Dump offers a range of aesthetically designed composters and provides educational resources to promote composting. Their efforts help in reducing landfill waste, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and enriching the soil with natural compost.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founder | Poonam Bir Kasturi |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Headquarters | Bangalore, Karnataka |
| Focus Area | Household composting solutions |
| Website | Daily Dump |
Read more: Top 10 CleanTech Startups in India
5. Ecoware
Founder: Rhea Mazumdar Singhal
Founded: 2009
Headquarters: New Delhi
Ecoware produces biodegradable and compostable tableware, offering a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic products
. The startup manufactures products from agricultural residues, ensuring that their tableware decomposes within 90 days without leaving any toxic residue. Ecoware’s innovation in creating eco-friendly disposable products helps reduce plastic pollution and encourages the use of sustainable materials, aligning with the principles of the circular economy.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founder | Rhea Mazumdar Singhal |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Focus Area | Biodegradable and compostable tableware |
| Website | Ecoware |
Read more: Top 10 InsurTech Startups in India
6. GEM Enviro Management
Founders: Sachin Sharma and Rachna Arora
Founded: 2013
Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana
GEM Enviro Management focuses on the management of post-consumer waste, specifically PET plastic bottles. The startup operates a reverse vending machine system that incentivizes consumers to recycle their plastic bottles. The collected plastic is then recycled into new products, such as textiles and packaging materials. GEM Enviro Management’s approach helps in reducing plastic waste and promotes the recycling industry in India.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founders | Sachin Sharma and Rachna Arora |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Gurugram, Haryana |
| Focus Area | Plastic bottle recycling |
| Website | GEM Enviro Management |
Read more: Top 10 LegalTech Startups in India
7. Green India Recycling
Founder: Nitin Gupta
Founded: 2009
Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Green India Recycling specializes in the recycling of electronic waste (e-waste). The startup provides comprehensive e-waste management solutions, from collection to recycling and disposal. Green India Recycling ensures that hazardous substances are safely extracted and valuable materials are recovered and reused. Their operations help in reducing environmental pollution caused by e-waste and contribute to the conservation of natural resources.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founder | Nitin Gupta |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Focus Area | E-waste recycling |
| Website | Green India Recycling |
Read more: Top 10 GovTech Startups in India
8. Karma Recycling
Founders: Udit Mehrotra and Nikhil Kumar
Founded: 2013
Headquarters: New Delhi
Karma Recycling focuses on refurbishing and reselling electronic devices. The startup collects used electronics, repairs and refurbishes them, and then sells them through various channels. By extending the life cycle of electronic devices, Karma Recycling reduces electronic waste and promotes the reuse of valuable resources. Their model supports the circular economy by maximizing the utility of existing products and minimizing waste.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founders | Udit Mehrotra and Nikhil Kumar |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Focus Area | Refurbishing and reselling electronics |
| Website | Karma Recycling |
Read more: Top 10 RetailTech Startups in India
9. ReMaterials
Founder: Lucas de Man and Lucas Stevens
Founded: 2011
Headquarters: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
ReMaterials addresses the issue of affordable and sustainable building materials. The startup produces roofing materials from recycled cardboard and other waste materials, providing a durable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional roofing. Their product, ModRoof, is designed to be weather-resistant and affordable, making it suitable for low-income households. ReMaterials’ innovative use of waste materials in construction supports sustainability and the circular economy in the building sector.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founders | Lucas de Man and Lucas Stevens |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Focus Area | Sustainable roofing materials |
| Website | ReMaterials |
Read more: Top 10 PropTech Startups in India
10. Goonj
Founder: Anshu Gupta
Founded: 1999
Headquarters: New Delhi
Goonj is a social enterprise that focuses on the reuse of urban waste to address rural development issues. The startup collects urban discards, such as clothes and household items, and repurposes them for rural communities. Through their initiative ‘Cloth for Work’, Goonj engages rural communities in development activities in exchange for the collected materials. This model not only addresses urban waste but also supports rural development and sustainability.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founder | Anshu Gupta |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Focus Area | Reuse of urban waste for rural development |
| Website | Goonj |
Read more: Top 10 FoodTech Startups in India
The Impact of Circular Economy Startups in India
These startups are playing a crucial role in transforming India’s approach to waste management and resource utilization. By focusing on reuse, recycling, and reduction, they are helping to build a more sustainable economy. The circular economy model promoted by these startups leads to several benefits, including:
- Reduction of Waste: By recycling and reusing materials, these startups significantly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
- Resource Conservation: The extraction and reuse of valuable materials from waste conserve natural resources and reduce the need for new raw materials.
- Environmental Protection: Reducing waste and pollution helps in protecting the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change.
- Economic Opportunities: The circular economy creates new business opportunities and jobs, particularly in the waste management and recycling sectors.
- Community Engagement: Many of these startups engage with local communities, providing education and employment opportunities, and promoting sustainable practices.
The emergence of circular economy startups in India marks a significant step towards sustainable development. By adopting innovative solutions to manage waste and resources, these startups are not only addressing environmental challenges but also creating economic and social value. As they continue to grow and scale their operations, they will play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future for India. The success of these startups demonstrates the potential of the circular economy model and its importance in achieving long-term sustainability goals.
FAQs on Top 10 Circular Economy Startups in India
1. What is a circular economy?
A circular economy is a model of production and consumption that involves reusing, refurbishing, recycling, and reducing waste to extend the life cycle of products and minimize environmental impact.
2. How do circular economy startups contribute to sustainability?
Circular economy startups contribute to sustainability by reducing waste, conserving resources, promoting recycling and reuse, and lowering environmental pollution. They create innovative solutions to manage waste and maximize the utility of existing resources.
3. What does Attero Recycling do?
Attero Recycling focuses on e-waste management and recycling. They provide end-to-end solutions from collection to recycling, extracting valuable metals from e-waste using advanced technology.
4. How does Waste Ventures India operate?
Waste Ventures India provides waste collection and processing services, emphasizing composting, recycling, and creating bio-fuel from organic waste. They work closely with local communities and waste pickers, promoting sustainable waste management practices.
5. What is the unique approach of Kabadiwala Connect?
Kabadiwala Connect uses technology to connect households and businesses with local waste collectors and recyclers. Their platform allows users to schedule pickups for recyclable materials, streamlining waste management and promoting recycling.
6. What products does Daily Dump offer?
Daily Dump offers composting solutions for households, including a range of aesthetically designed composters. They provide educational resources to encourage composting and help reduce landfill waste.
7. What makes Ecoware’s products sustainable?
Ecoware produces biodegradable and compostable tableware made from agricultural residues. Their products decompose within 90 days without leaving any toxic residue, offering a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics.
8. How does GEM Enviro Management incentivize recycling?
GEM Enviro Management operates a reverse vending machine system that incentivizes consumers to recycle their PET plastic bottles. The collected plastic is recycled into new products, such as textiles and packaging materials.
9. What services does Green India Recycling provide?
Green India Recycling specializes in the recycling of electronic waste (e-waste). They provide comprehensive e-waste management solutions, ensuring safe extraction of hazardous substances and recovery of valuable materials.
10. What is Karma Recycling’s business model?
Karma Recycling collects used electronic devices, repairs and refurbishes them, and then resells them. By extending the life cycle of electronics, they reduce e-waste and promote the reuse of valuable resources.
11. What are ReMaterials’ roofing products made from?
ReMaterials produces roofing materials from recycled cardboard and other waste materials. Their product, ModRoof, is durable, weather-resistant, and affordable, providing a sustainable alternative for low-income households.
12. How does Goonj help rural communities?
Goonj collects urban discards, such as clothes and household items, and repurposes them for rural communities. Through initiatives like ‘Cloth for Work’, Goonj engages rural communities in development activities in exchange for the collected materials.
13. Why is the circular economy important for India?
The circular economy is important for India because it helps reduce environmental pollution, conserve natural resources, create economic opportunities, and support sustainable development. It addresses the growing waste problem and promotes efficient use of resources.
14. How can individuals support circular economy startups?
Individuals can support circular economy startups by participating in their recycling programs, using their products and services, spreading awareness about their initiatives, and adopting sustainable practices in their daily lives.
15. Where can I find more information about these startups?
You can find more information about these startups on their official websites:
- Attero Recycling: Attero Recycling
- Waste Ventures India: Waste Ventures India
- Kabadiwala Connect: Kabadiwala Connect
- Daily Dump: Daily Dump
- Ecoware: Ecoware
- GEM Enviro Management: GEM Enviro Management
- Green India Recycling: Green India Recycling
- Karma Recycling: Karma Recycling
- ReMaterials: ReMaterials
- Goonj: Goonj
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