An Innovative Waste Management Startup - Swaaha

In year 2016, when Jwalant Shah and Rohit Agarwal laid the foundation of "Swaaha" , a Resource Management company and an innovative startup in the field of waste management, they themselves were not aware of the progress of this startup which has now become one of the leading startups of the country in the field of solid waste management. Later on in 2017 ,Sameer Sharma also joined the team as a mentor. Swaaha has developed a unique technique of waste management in which they are able to convert waste into compost at the site only and primary transportation of waste material is not needed for its processing. Recently Swaaha is in news as  it is leading Amarnath Yatra in association with Jammu and Kashmir Government to make it completely eco friendly. 

The Origin

Rohit Agarwal and Jwalant Shah  have completed their mechanical engineering  from IIT Indore. These former alumni of IIT Indore thought of initiating a startup on solid waste management and sustainability in year 2016 which was one of it's kind idea in the country at that time. It gains it's name from initials Swacch (clean) and Hara (green). The startup has been incubated from IIT Indore and startup India. Swaaha was initially started with a capital of rupees 50000 only and now it has a valuation of 75 crores. The municipal corporation Indore has also given special support and appreciation to this innovative startup.

The Technology Behind

Rohit and Jwalant along with their teacher Sameer Sharma have developed a unique technique of solid waste management in which the waste is processed at the same site from which it is collected and then it is carried to composting site of Swaaha after 10 to 12 days. They have developed a mobile van for waste processing when for this purpose also. One such mobile organic waste processing unit named "Havankund" is also launched at IIT Indore campus. This mobile van has a capacity to process 400 kg of waste in 1 hour and it has been specially designed to modify complete wet waste into compost. They have also presented a complete plan for making IIT Indore a total zero waste campus.

Achievements

Swaaha started it's journey by processing solid waste of shops located in Chappan Dukan area of Indore. Initially they charged 70 paisa to 2.5 rupees for composting per kg of solid waste. Initially there was only one mobile van however they are now serving 7 big hotels ,4 education centres and 15 townships in Indore with 4 mobile vans. Due to their innovative approach in the field of waste management, sustainable practices, ethical business practices and social impact by waste management an American company has invited Swaaha to demonstrate their solid waste management model and has signed an MOU with them whose pilot project has been already started. They have also been awarded as best smart city project in 2020.

From Indore to Amarnath

With a team of more than 350 volunteers and Safai Mitras, Swaaha is going to prevent waste from polluting the Himalayan region by making Amarnath Yatra completely eco friendly. 200 Kashmiri youth are also a part of this noble initiative. In Association with Indore city social media group, this innovative enterprise has started a unique Langar in Amarnath Yatra which will be totally powered by solar energy and biogas. Moreover a complete plan for composting food and solid waste during Amarnath Yatra is also proposed. For this purpose they have 13 campsites throughout the Yatra up to cave. 

An Exciting Innovation

Swaaha has yet another gem in their achievements as they have developed a machine that works without electricity at higher altitudes which can be carried to the mountains with the help of mules and horses. This wonderful machine for waste management needs very less maintenance and can be assembled quickly. To ensure proper waste management, Swaaha has also developed a software that provides real time data of any litter or waste throughout the journey with the help of a web app.

This innovative journey is a remarkable example of out of box thinking, innovative approach and right attitude towards solving a problem infront of today's youth. A great applause to them!