This NRI's startup creates plastic-free bags from vegetable waste and oil derivatives

Despite the restrictions on their usage, plastic carry bags are still around due to the lack of cost-effective alternatives. These bags pose a huge environmental risk because polymers take at least 500 years to decompose.

But 24-year-old NRI Ashwath Hegde’s Envigreen Biotech is slowly changing things. Currently present in seven countries, the startup creates plastic-free bags made from vegetable waste and oil derivatives. Launched in 2016, the bags decompose naturally in 60–180 days and have been certified plastic-free by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and global certification and testing firm TÜV SÜD South Asia.

The start, however, wasn't easy. Speaking about the same, Ashwath says,

The idea to start this happened when Mangalore banned plastic bags in 2012. My uncles and I differed on this, as there was too much commitment involved in starting the venture. However, once they realised I was capable of doing this, they encouraged me.

Ashwath personally funded the team of researchers that developed the biodegradable bags, which was possible with some judicious investment and financial planning on his part. He adds,

Money management plays an important role in every entrepreneurial journey. Our aim is to reduce costs and make these bags available to everyone at a reasonable price. And for that, financial planning becomes crucial.

With Mangalore's ban in place, Ashwath's team of 10 researchers in Europe began working on biodegradable carry bags. Around this time, he moved to Qatar and set up Green Corporation. After four years of hard work, on February 26, 2016, the product was launched in Qatar, says a report by Forbes. The Indian market, however, had to wait until February this year.

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