Innovation

TT is a green enterprise that aims to address the ever-increasing pollution caused by non-biodegradable inorganic waste, primarily tires. Their products are created from waste, and they incorporate local and natural themes in creating useful as well as aesthetic products. They make indoor and outdoor furniture (tables, mudas, swings) and pet beds, and they also focus on urban gardening—all made of tires.

Inspiration

KhaaliSiSi, an Indonesian recycling company, was the main inspiration for their idea. They thought, "if they can, why not us?"

Ojaswi Baidya and his co-founders first met at the Greenovation Startup Challenge organized by WWF Nepal’s The Generation Green campaign in 2016. Their group was one of the four winners, and they received 150,000 in cash for their business startup. They thought that if their idea was successful, good; otherwise, it would still be a good learning experience for them. They knew that tires by nature were non-biodegradable and often ended up in brick kilns and bandhs. Burning them creates toxic fumes, pollutants, and chemical smoke, which can lead to serious health issues. Tires are sturdy, bouncy, and durable; thus, even when their retreading capacity has been exceeded, they can be upcycled efficiently as raw materials and can be used to make innovative products.

Overall impact

More than 400,000 vehicles are imported in Nepal in a year. Those vehicles produce pollution and used tires, which then are burned or thrown away somewhere, which creates environmental pollution. Thus, changing the tires into something innovative will reduce pollution and add more employment to the economy of Nepal, where unemployment is a major issue.

Business benefit

A company established for a purpose, TT is a green enterprise whose main objectives are to “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” The business benefits of TT are that it:

• Creates employment for skilled and semi-skilled women.

• Uplifts the unemployment situation of the country; i.e. they will be supported by government and local authorities.

• Promotes local artists.

• Builds a sustainable business within the country focused on creating a green world.

• Uses used/abandoned tires, which are easily available, reducing their logistics and operational costs.

• Opens an additional market for handicrafts and innovative products, potentially opening international markets as well.

Social and environmental benefit

As a green enterprise, their main goal is to protect the environment and increase awareness about recycling and environmental pollution and their alternatives. Some other benefits of TT are given below.

• Encourages women's empowerment, as the CEO of the company is a woman who can set an example of women in leadership.

• Improves conditions for women employees and provides a better livelihood.

• Minimizes toxic gas and hazardous elements that result from burning tires or throwing them away.

• Changes perceptions about used tires, since they can be used for making such beautiful products.

Interview

Ojaswi Baidya, Chief Operating Officer