WITHOUT™ by Ashaya

Sustainable Shades and Upcycled Dreams: Inside Without

Authors

Kaaya Sharma

Kaaya Sharma

Aashi Tripathi

Aashi Tripathi

Hrishita Pattnaik

Hrishita Pattnaik

Shalini Kumari

Shalini Kumari

School

Goa Institute of Management

Goa Institute of Management

Professor

Abhishek Naresh

Abhishek Naresh

Global Goals

1. No Poverty 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities 12. Responsible Consumption and Production

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Summary

You heard it right! Sunglasses made from recycled chip packets.

This story revolves around the world of "Without by Ashaya." We interviewed Anish Malpani, the visionary founder, whose smile outshone even the vibrant sunglasses crafted from discarded chip packets. Anish, with eyes sharp on his innovative designs, painted a stark picture of a planet suffocated by plastic evidenced by the "Mt. Everest of chip packets" adorning his digital shelves.

His solution? A sartorial alchemy, transmuting "waste" into "worth" by repurposing plastic into eyewear that is as durable as it is stylish. He even divulged their secret weapon – a proprietary chemical treatment that grants these recycled wonders unexpected strength and a playful flair.

Without was not merely a shield against digital glare. It was a beacon illuminating the often-unseen heroes of our plastic mountains – the waste pickers. Anish's voice softened as he spoke of fair wages, flexible hours, and fostering a digital community within their supply chain. His pride shone through as he recounted Rani's tale, a single mother whose children now wore smiles as radiant as the sunglasses she helped create.

Our inquiry pierced through the pixelated perfection of the website. We delved into the technical side of the innovation: the multi-layered packaging and the ambitious vision for self-sufficient recycling facilities. Anish acknowledged the delicate balancing act between maximizing social impact and financial sustainability. Yet, his optimism remained infectious. He is fueled by the belief that collaboration and partnerships are the rocket fuel for a circular economy revolution.

Without is not just sunglasses; it is an upcycled dream and a testament to the power of empowering communities. It also proves that sustainability can be both impactful and stylish. In our conversation with Anish Malpani, we saw not just a founder, but a pioneer, a weaver of sunlit solutions, and a beacon of hope. He is proving that five curious minds, armed with laptops and a burning desire, can change the world one chip packet at a time. The world felt a touch brighter, not just through our recycled shades, but through the lens of his vision.

This was not just an interview but an invitation. An invitation to see waste not as a burden, but as an opportunity. To seek out the Anish Malpanis in our communities and join the collective dance of upcycled dreams one pair of sun-kissed shades at a time. Let's expand the impact: one count, one click, one dream, one chip packet at a time.

Innovation

Founded in February 2021 by the visionary Anish Malpani, Without tackles the plastic crisis head-on by transforming discarded chip packets into vibrant, durable eyewear. Their secret weapon? A proprietary chemical treatment that imbues these recycled wonders with surprising strength and unexpected style. Without is more than just sunglasses. It's a story of community empowerment, fair wages for waste pickers, and a commitment to building a circular economy.

Sustainable Shades and Upcycled Dreams: Inside Without

Inspiration

Anish's vision was born from a stark realization - our planet is drowning in plastic. Chip packets are a potent symbol of this unsustainable reality. His solution stemmed from a desire to address waste and empower the very people most affected by it. As he shared, "We wanted to create a product that wouldn't just be sustainable, but one that would uplift lives and communities."

Overall impact

Without boasts a multi-faceted impact:

  • Environmental: Diverting plastic waste from landfills, reducing virgin plastic production, and promoting responsible consumption.
  • Social: Empowering waste pickers with fair wages and flexible work hours, fostering community within their supply chain, and creating new economic opportunities.
  • Economic: Building a successful business model that proves sustainability can be both impactful and profitable.

Business benefit

Without is attracting a growing fan base to their unique blend of style and social responsibility. This has led to:

  • Increased revenue: Their sunglasses are gaining traction not just for their eco-friendly credentials but for their trendy designs and durable quality.
  • Positive brand image: Without is establishing itself as a leader in sustainable fashion and is attracting conscious consumers and investors alike.
  • Employee engagement: The mission-driven approach fosters a strong sense of purpose and engagement among the team.

Social and environmental benefit

Without is paving the way for a more sustainable future:

  • Reduced plastic pollution: The innovation diverts tons of plastic waste from landfills and oceans, mitigating environmental damage.
  • Empowered communities: They offer waste pickers fair wages and improved working conditions, fostering dignity and economic opportunity.
  • Circular economy inspiration: Without is a shining example of how businesses can embrace circularity, creating value from waste and minimizing resource consumption.

Interview

ANISH MALPANI, Founder

Watch video

Business information

WITHOUT™ by Ashaya

WITHOUT™ by Ashaya

Pune, MAHARASTHRA, IN
Business Website: https://without.live/
Year Founded: 2021
Number of Employees: 11 to 50

This innovation is about defying expectations. Forget dull sustainability, and say hello to chip packet sunglasses that rock style and impact. Without by Ashaya empowers communities, upcycles waste, and builds a brighter future - one recycled shade at a time. Without is a social enterprise that aims to increase the value of waste through technological and scientific innovations in recycling. Then, the company fairly redistributes that value to stakeholders in the supply chain especially those with the lowest income - waste-pickers.