Ashwini R Bhat
Daniel Da Silva
Chetan Pachisia
Aditi Rawat
Akash Shibu
Roopesh Sharma
Goa Institute of Management
shiv sinha
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Offbeat Trove, founded by Kamal Gupta, is a sustainability-focused enterprise born out of Kamal’s ambition to combine business with environmental impact. Inspired by Delhi’s massive garbage dumps overflowing with glass waste, he envisioned transforming discarded bottles into functional and artistic décor items. With a mission to marry sustainability and creativity, the company has grown to embody the principles of the circular economy.
Offbeat Trove’s innovative model lies in repurposing discarded glass bottles into high-quality products like drinking glasses, candles, planters, and decorative items. Initially, manual polishing and crafting processes posed challenges, but the company invested in specialized machinery to enhance efficiency and quality. Kamal also developed a sustainable sourcing strategy, collaborating with garbage collectors and forging direct partnerships with cafes, hotels, and restaurants to ensure a steady supply of used glass bottles. These efforts significantly reduced the company’s reliance on informal middlemen while ensuring environmental and economic benefits.
The inspiration for Offbeat Trove arose from Kamal Gupta’s visits to Delhi’s garbage dumps, where he saw immense potential in repurposing waste into valuable products. His personal ambition to start a business post-MBA aligned seamlessly with his commitment to addressing environmental issues, setting the stage for a purpose-driven entrepreneurial journey.
Offbeat Trove’s operations have had a transformative impact on both environmental and societal levels:
1. Environmental Impact: By recycling glass waste, the company reduces pollution, conserves natural resources, and mitigates carbon emissions. Each product reflects the principles of the circular economy, reducing the burden on landfill sites.
2. Social Impact: Offbeat Trove supports waste collectors, provides jobs, and fosters skill development in unique crafts like glass polishing and cutting. Its operations promote dignity and stability in livelihoods for marginalized communities.
3. Cultural Shift: The enterprise drives a behavioral shift toward sustainability by making eco-friendly products appealing and accessible, embedding sustainability in mainstream consumer culture.
1. Innovative Business Model: Offbeat Trove stands out by turning waste into high-value products, catering to a niche market of environmentally conscious consumers.
2. Diverse Revenue Streams: The company generates income through trade fairs, exhibitions, direct collaborations, and e-commerce platforms like Amazon, ensuring resilience and steady cash flow.
3. Cost-Effective Resource Sourcing: Sourcing discarded bottles at minimal cost through collaborations with waste collectors and direct partnerships with cafes and hotels contributes to profitability.
4. Scalability and Expansion: Diversifying product offerings, such as eco-luxury items and corporate gifts, positions Offbeat Trove for sustained growth.
5. Brand Visibility: Active participation in exhibitions, social media campaigns, and storytelling around sustainability enhances brand reach and consumer engagement.
Environmental Benefits:
- Reducing Waste: By recycling glass, Offbeat Trove helps clear Delhi’s garbage dumps, diverting waste from landfills and reducing pollution.
- Saving Resources: Reusing old bottles conserves raw materials like sand and soda ash, reducing the need for resource-intensive glass production.
- Protecting Trees: For every 500 recycled bottles, approximately 2000 trees are saved, contributing to deforestation prevention.
- Lowering Carbon Emissions: Recycling glass consumes less energy than producing new glass, reducing the overall carbon footprint.
- Leading by Example: Offbeat Trove highlights the potential of waste as a resource, showcasing a successful circular economy model.
Social Benefits:
- Creating Jobs: The business provides livelihoods across the value chain, from waste collection to product crafting.
- Skill Development: Workers are trained in specialized crafts, enhancing their future employability.
- Supporting Waste Collectors: Partnerships with middlemen and direct sourcing arrangements encourage wider participation in waste management.
- Spreading Awareness: Through eco-friendly products, Offbeat Trove educates consumers about sustainability and inspires greener choices.
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Offbeat Trove, founded by Kamal Gupta, is a sustainability-focused enterprise born out of Kamal’s ambition to combine business with environmental impact. Inspired by Delhi’s massive garbage dumps overflowing with glass waste, he envisioned transforming discarded bottles into functional and artistic décor items. With a mission to marry sustainability and creativity, the company has grown to embody the principles of the circular economy.
