The UN World Environment Day was celebrated on June 5. This year marked the 49th World Environment Day and Sweden was the host country for the celebrations. Under the theme #OnlyOneEarth, Sweden announced a ban on the issuing of new licences to extract coal, oil, and natural gas from July this year to protect people and the planet. Environment is not just trees and plants but the larger ecosystem of animals, birds, fishes, water, and humans aiming to coexist on this planet earth.
In India ,Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Life for Environment Movement (LiFE) on the World Environment Day. The LiFE movement promotes a conscious lifestyle for a better world. It propagates that rather than ‘mindless and destructive consumption, one should focus on ‘mindful and deliberate utilisation’.
A rising number of individuals are already changing their consumption habits. They are leaning toward cruelty-free products, manufactured with high-quality, sustainable materials that avoid harming the environment.
Many eco-friendly startups have sprung out of new ideas, cutting-edge technological advances, out-of-thebox thinking, and a passion for problem-solving related to sustainability. They have built a green industry that dwells upon innovative solutions to effectively reduce environmental challenges. These green companies now operate in various industries, including energy sharing, textile, commodity trading, and many more.
Young entrepreneurs are advancing the sustainability narrative by innovating technology prototypes and creating environmentally responsible products and services, being supported by vibrant sustainabilitydriven ecosystems. These ecofriendly startups and their deep-tech innovation will significantly contribute in making India more sustainable.
An IIT Kanpur-based startup, focused on the circular economy, is converting floral waste into charcoal and producing accessible luxury incense sticks and other wellness products. The startup is now among India’s finest brands to have Fair for Life – Fairtrade and Ecocert Organic & Natural certifications. With deeptech research and development, this startup has also developed ‘Fleather’, leveraging its flower-cycling technology under the Design Scheme by the Ministry of MSME.
‘Loom Art’ is a Jaipur-based sustainable fashion brand that is catering to traditional wear across India, showcasing local talent through conventional craft forms. Loom Art’s aim is to bring back old and dying craft techniques and make clothes that last a lifetime. Loom Art is expanding its business to various countries such as Canada, the UK besides others.
‘Aslee’, another sustainability driven fashion startup, is offering clothing made from bamboo, nettle, and hemp, along with other ecological and ethically sourced materials. It is aiming to promote slow, sustainable fashion by spreading awareness about the need and importance of transitioning to sustainable and ethically-sourced clothes. It is seeking to encourage a shift in thinking in which individuals are more aware of the processes and consequences of the products they use.
Mumbai-based ‘Bunko Junko’ is another sustainable fashion startup that is working on pre-used textile waste and recreating fashion products for everyday use. Bhavini Parikh, the founder, and CEO of the company, is a strong woman who is paving the way for other women to follow. She is a true leader in every way with her well defined suitability ideas, goals and achievements. By using discarded and recycled materials, the company aims to promote environmental preservation and long-term sustainability. The company is also promoting women empowerment in rural areas by providing them with the resources and skills that are helpful in their daily lives and for employment.
