Innovation

Ecoware is using agricultural waste such as sugarcane bagasse, birchwood and cornstarch-based biodegradant to produce biodgradable tableware, food packaging, and even disposable bags. This innovation uses the waste material which is otherwise burned by farmers and can engender air pollution. The products made by this innovation are 100% complete biodegradable and compostable within 90 days and this leaves no waste which can harm the nature or life under water or life on earth.

Inspiration

Rhea Singhal, CEO of Ecoware, moved to India from United kingdom. The idea for Ecoware came to her one day when she was sitting with her family in a restaurant and observed that people were very concerned about consuming organic and healthy food but they were not worried about how that food was being served. She remarked that "if you eat healthy then what you eat out of should also be healthy for you." This concern about the well being and health of people was the first motivation or inspiration for Rhea Singhal to think about such a radical innovation.

Singhal pointed out that we generate millions of tons of plastic waste each year. She began searching for an alternative, which could mitigate the risk of this plastic waste.

These two factors motivated her to bring this radical innovation to the fore.

Overall impact

Ecoware’s innovation of producing biodegradable tableware has very prevailing and potent impacts. It not only aids to improve the environment but also helps to make people aware about harmful effects of plastic product usage. Utilizing biodegradable products also prevents people from deadly diseases such as cancer because when people serve hot dishes in plastic then plastic leeches and causes cancer. This eventually prevents people of developing countries like India to spend their wealth on dangerous diseases and gives them an opportunity to support their families. The raw material used to make these products is waste generated after using the sugarcane i.e. sugarcane bagasse. This innovation prevents the burning of this waste material, decreasing the environmental pollution.

Business benefit

Ecoware has rapidly grown to a $16 million company in just 7 years from the inception date of first production. It has expanded its product range to 25+ compostable products such as tableware, cutlery, biodegradable garbage bags and takeaway packaging. There is huge potential for this recyclable and disposable cutlery tableware company to expand in the future.

Ecoware has expanded its reach to other countries. As Singhal describes, the path was not easy because there were so many uncertain factors but they pulled it through by sticking to the core sustainable principles. In a developing country like India, Ecoware is educating people about the benefits of disposable cutlery and hazardous effects of using plastic. This is ultimately impacting their business in positive way and enhancing their customer base.

Social and environmental benefit

Consuming biodegradable products reduces the usage of paper products which reduces the hewing of trees. A biodegradable product is beneficial for both lives on earth and below water as it reduces the harmful impact caused by synthetic disposables. The residue used to make these products is sugarcane bagasse, which is waste material and of no use for farmers. Farmers usually burn this bagasse because it is waste. This innovation prevents the burning of this waste material and hence generates revenue for the farmers and enhances their lifestyle.

Interview

Rhea Singhal, CEO