Phool: A Startup that Turns Waste Flowers into Agarbatti and Eco-Friendly Products
Have you ever wondered what happens to the millions of flowers offered at temples daily? Do you know that most of them end up in rivers, causing pollution and harming aquatic life?
According to some sources, around two million tonnes of floral waste are discarded every day in India after religious ceremonies. Most of this waste ends up in rivers, lakes, or landfills, causing environmental pollution and health hazards.
These flowers are grown using harmful chemicals, such as pesticides and insecticides, which leach into the water and soil when they are dumped. This affects the quality of water, the health of fish and other animals, and the livelihoods of people who depend on the rivers.
Phool:
Phool is a social enterprise that was founded in 2017 by Ankit Agarwal, a former automation scientist who was disturbed by the sight of flower waste in the Ganges river in Kanpur. He decided to find a solution to this problem by using flowercycling – a technology that converts flower waste into useful products. Phool’s vision is to preserve the environment and empower the communities by creating value from waste.
how Phool collects, processes, and uses flower waste to make agarbatti and other products. For example:
✅️ Phool collects flower waste from temples and mosques across Kanpur, where it has set up its first flowercycling facility. The collected flowers are cleaned, dried, and powdered using machines. The powder is mixed with natural ingredients, such as essential oils and herbs, to make agarbatti (incense sticks) and cones. These products are 100% organic, charcoal-free, and sustainable.
They also have therapeutic benefits, such as relieving stress and enhancing mood. Phool also makes other products from flower waste, such as paper, watercolors, garlands, and feather – a bio-alternative to animal leather.
How Phool creates social impact by providing employment to marginalized women and promoting a circular economy?
✅️ Phool employs over 100 women from the lower castes who were previously engaged in manual scavenging or were jobless. These women are trained and empowered to work in various stages of flowercycling, such as collection, processing, packaging, and marketing. They earn a dignified income and gain self-confidence and respect in society.
✅️ Phool has received several awards and recognition for its innovative and impactful work. It has also raised $8 million in Series A funding from Sixth Sense Ventures and other investors in 2022. The startup plans to use the funds to scale up its operations, expand its product range, and explore new markets.
✅️ Phool aims to create a circular economy model that not only solves the temple waste problem but also creates value for the environment, society, and economy. By turning flowers into fragrance and fashion, Phool is making the world a more beautiful and sustainable place.
✅️ Phool also promotes a circular economy by reducing waste generation, saving resources, and creating value from waste. It prevents pollution in the rivers, saves water and land from chemical contamination, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It also educates people about the importance of waste management and environmental conservation.
To conclude, Phool is a startup company that is solving the problem of flower waste by using it to make agarbatti and other eco-friendly products. It is also creating social impact by providing employment to marginalized women and promoting circular economy.
I hope this blog has inspired you to support Phool’s work and products. You can also take action by reducing your own flower waste at home or at work. Remember: every flower counts!
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