Innovation

Eco365's range of water-efficient fixtures, ideated by Mr. Surana in 2010, consists of:

1. Low water flow aerators & regulators for existing taps that reduce water wastage by up to 98%

2. Low water flow shower-heads that reduce water wastage by up to 60%

3. Low water flushing toilets that reduce water wastage by up to 20%

4. Waterless urinals

5. Water-efficient taps

It is estimated that this innovation has saved 227 billion liters of water to date. This has also led to an indirect reduction of energy, time, and money consumed in the processing and supply of such quantities of water.

Eco365 uses different kinds of technology to reduce water wastage; the procedure & technology is specific to plumbing fixtures and their purpose in the property. For example: To retrofit taps, toilet guns, and showers, they use pressure-compensating, adjusting, or restricting technology to save water up to 80%, whereas for waterless urinal flushing, they use bio enzyme with back-gas barrier technology to save 100% water.

Thus, it has contributed to fulfilling the targets and objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals numbered 6, 9, 11, 12, and 13.

Passionate entrepreneurship that makes water-conservation easy

Inspiration

Mr. Surana grew up in Goalpara, Assam in the lap of nature, with a river flowing a mere 100 meters away from his house. Thus, in his childhood, he never faced any scarcity of water.

However, the scenario changed drastically when he moved to Mumbai to pursue higher education. Here, for the first time in his life, he saw people's hardships caused by the scarcity of water. People had to install water tanks in their homes, bathrooms, and kitchens to store water, as the supply was limited to a few hours a day. Things were even worse for the underprivileged, as access to water was as low as an hour a day, and in some places and days, even alternate days.

He researched and found that the average flow from a normal tap is up to 30 liters/minute. If this flow could be reduced and at the same time the needs of the user be met, water would be saved.

"Competition from sanitaryware giants does not scare us because they have more resources to spread awareness and as long as the country gets benefited, we do not care about direct profits."

Overall impact

In the short term, the innovation leads to the saving of water and power required to pump the water by the municipality and one's own pump at home. This leads to the availability of water during harsh summers and droughts. Thus, it also reduces the effort required to recycle the water.

Speaking of the long term, the innovation has saved approximately 227 billion liters of water saved over its lifetime which translates into cost savings to the tune of INR 150 crore to the nation.

This will lead to a reduction in inequalities as the water conserved can be diverted to areas with presently restricted availability.

Further, the government's ambitious goal of 'Har Ghar Nal, Har Ghar Jal' requires innovations like Eco365's to provide water supply sustainably and responsibly to all.

Business benefit

Eco365's enterprise model of business makes it a profitable company that isn't dependent on philanthropy and charity to bring about an impact through its offerings. This has earned it a lot of recognition at the national stage such as winning the National Entrepreneurship Award 2019, conferred upon it by the Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). Other notable accolades earned by the venture and/or the entrepreneur include "Indian of the Year 2017", "Green Excellence Award 2018", "Best Green Entrepreneur Award 2018", and many more.

Coming to employees, Eco365 conducted a survey to gauge their employee experience and job satisfaction, and all employees unanimously stated that the vision and mission of the brand and the impact of the innovation and its scalability is a huge motivator for them to give their best. Meetings are not just about the top management speaking, but about the participation of all employees, be it the accountant, the marketing guy, the operations guy; everyone voices their ideas and opinions and feel passionate about the product.

This product is exported to more than 7 countries where it creates an impact in a similar fashion.

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Social and environmental benefit

This range of innovative products has helped numerous clients save water & go green since 2010. As per conservative estimates, it has saved more than 227 billion liters of water in India which translates into a saving of more than INR 150 crores. The reduced wastage of water also results in less water pollution, reduced energy to pump, transport, and recycle water, the costs of which are immeasurable.

Eco365 also conducts numerous water conservation awareness sessions and exhibits for corporates as well as apartment complexes across India. It was the first company in India to introduce water-efficient fixtures through videos, posters, awareness sessions, and social media campaigns in the public domain for individual homeowners and make them available for online purchase.

Water is a great equalizer as it leads to reduced inequalities in a society already plagued with issues such as malnutrition, illiteracy, climate change, etc.

By facilitating responsible and sustainable consumption for the masses that do not compromise on the bathing and washing experience, it benefits the society and environment by conserving precious resources like time, energy, money, and water itself.

As Eco365 scales up with the support of government initiatives, increasing awareness levels, and a passionate team, it will touch more lives and the impact is only going to increase exponentially. The world will benefit from a simple, easy to use, and cost-effective innovation like this.

Interview

Goutam Surana, Founder Director