Imagine a future where every piece of discarded material is tracked, sorted, and recycled with precision, AI is making that vision a reality today. Currently, 50 million metric tonnes (MMT) of municipal solid waste are produced every year, a figure expected to rise to 125 MMT by 2031. Despite a 96.8% garbage collection rate, about 28% of it ends up in landfills, raising environmental concerns.
Recognizing the urgent need for change, a group of entrepreneurs from Jaipur founded ECOWRAP, a tech-enabled platform designed to make waste separation and management more efficient, sustainable, and community-driven. The initiative was led by Ajay Buri, a graduate from IIT-Kharagpur, along with his dedicated team.
What is ECOWRAP?
ECOWRAP is an Indian company that is working towards a better and sustainable future. It is a waste management company that was started in 2017 by Angraj Swamy. The primary focus of this start-up is to provide solid solutions for waste separation and waste tracking, collection, storage, recycling, up-cycling, etc.
The entire solution is done by automation of algorithms obtained through various analyses of data. ECOWRAP offers complimentary training, doorstep waste pickup, and IoT-enabled bins to encourage proper waste segregation. Dustbins are equipped with IoT sensors that track waste levels and encourage proper separation through real-time data. The system also integrates with an app for convenient waste collection and monitoring, promoting trust and accountability in the community.
How do they work?
ECOWRAP provided infrastructure like smart dustbins, technical interventions, and training modules to promote waste segregation at source and came up with the idea of a waste monetization scheme by making payments for inorganic waste. So, you are offered Rs. 11 for a kg of paper, Rs. 10 for plastic, and Rs. 4 for glass waste. Whereas cans of beer and soft drinks cost Rs 40 per kg. 60 per kg. Old tires are also collected from many shops in the city.
These collectible items are then taken forward for the process of up-cycling and recycling and then generate revenue. Although the company has tied up with others to recycle paper, plastic, and metal waste, glass and tires are recycled only by ECOWRAP. After this, these materials are delivered to the women of the deprived class in the company's plant. All the women are trained to transform glass bottles into decorative lamps and tires into chairs and sofas.
Whose waste do they manage?
ECOWRAP primarily manages household, commercial, and institutional waste. ECOWRAP collaborates with over 1,400 hotels, restaurants, bars, and cafes across Jaipur to handle their waste. Additionally, they provide waste management services for zero-waste movie shoots, weddings, and large events.
Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, ECOWRAP has expanded its reach and worked with local government initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The startup's growth also includes the Bhayali initiative, which empowers women by recycling waste materials into handmade home decor items. These products are sold through both online and offline channels, supporting sustainability and providing economic opportunities for women in rural communities.
Here is a quick look at its procedure-
ECOWRAP uses AI technology to make waste separation faster and more efficient. The process starts with collecting waste, which is then sorted using AI technology that identifies and separates it into groups such as biodegradable, recyclable, and non-recyclable. ECOWRAP uses sensors, cameras, and AI to accurately sort waste, reduce pollution, and improve recycling. It also involves the community through a combination of technology and public efforts to promote waste segregation at source and spread awareness about sustainability, and environment-friendly waste management.
Scaling Innovation for a Dumping-Free Future
Looking ahead, ECOWRAP aims to scale its AI-powered waste management solutions, raise $1 million to scale its technology, and play a key role in building Jaipur, the first dumping-free city. The start-up plans to expand its reach in India and internationally, focusing on its waste recycling initiatives and increasing its impact on the circular economy.
With the waste management industry rapidly evolving, ECOWRAP's vision is to foster innovation, empower communities, and reduce landfill waste, while offering valuable products that promote a cleaner, more sustainable future. By adopting AI-powered solutions like ECOWRAP, Jaipur is not only solving its immediate waste management challenges but also laying the groundwork for a smarter, more sustainable urban ecosystem.
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