The Trash Co. is looking to make a meaningful impact on waste management and environmental compliance
Driven by a mission to pave the way for a sustainable future, The Trash Co. seeks to work on strategies and projects to build a ‘Circular Economy’ where they support their clients to move to a circular economy by unlocking the use of high quality recycled materials, well documented compliances and innovative research driving recycling and resource management. The Trash Co.’s co-founders, Rajay Jaiprakash Rasaikar and Deep Dalsania, believe in harnessing the power of innovation while forging a path towards sustainability.
Rajay earned his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Goa Engineering College in 2013. Following his graduation, he embarked on several entrepreneurial ventures that ultimately did not succeed. He then secured a position in Nagpur, focusing on research and development of biodegradable polymers. Later, Rajay joined Bizongo in Mumbai, where he contributed to the development of sustainable packaging solutions. It was at Bizongo that he met Deep Dalsania.
Deep holds a degree in Polymer Engineering from CIPET and has pursued further education in packaging at the Indian Institute of Packaging. His professional experience includes roles at prestigious companies such as Nivea, Mayora India (Inbisco), and Mother Dairy. At Bizongo, Deep collaborated with Rajay on innovative packaging projects.
During their tenure at their previous organisation, Rajay and Deep engaged in discussions about developing sustainable packaging and enhancing its environmental safety for disposal. However, they realised that despite their efforts, the packaging would still end up in the same waste stream, posing challenges for recycling and disposal. Recognising that the core issue extended beyond packaging to waste management, they decided to focus their contributions on waste management and the circular economy in packaging.
The Trash Co. is dedicated to support industries in their transition towards a circular economy, unlocking revenue potential through sustainable practices. These practices include the adoption of recycled materials, innovation consulting for sustainable waste management, compliance adherence, and effective industrial waste management. Their mission is to enable a circular economy for businesses, where all materials are recycled and integrated into new product developments, fostering a culture of reuse and recycling.
The Trash Co. commenced with a vision to build an impactful organisation that champions the circular economy, driving sustainable growth and innovation for the future.
Their products and services include:
1. Environmental Compliance Consultancy: The Trash Co. guides businesses through complex regulatory norms, providing expert advice and end-to-end support to ensure compliance with legal requirements. Specialising in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the company currently supports over 400 entities, ranging from small MSMEs to large corporations, helping them meet all EPR requirements efficiently.
2. Waste Management Solutions: With a logistical presence across all Indian states, The Trash Co. facilitates the collection of various types of industrial waste, collaborating closely with multiple stakeholders. The company ensures that these materials are recycled in strict compliance with all necessary regulations, promoting sustainability across the board.
3. Recycled Polymers: The Trash Co.’s research, development, and supply of recycled polymers cater to the specific needs of different industries. The company focuses on establishing optimized sourcing channels for waste to recycling industries, adhering to the highest quality standards and processes. This ensures a consistent supply of recycled polymers, ready to be integrated into new products.
4. Innovation Consulting in Sustainability and Waste Management Practices: Leveraging extensive experience in waste management, The Trash Co. integrates innovative sustainability practices into existing processes. The company’s consulting services identify and implement potential innovations, enhancing organizational sustainability and waste management efforts.
By choosing The Trash Co., businesses partner with a leader in sustainable practices, dedicated to fostering a circular economy and driving future growth through innovative and compliant solutions.
The Trash Co has undertaken various projects over the years, which are as follows:
1. Mattress Recycling Campaign: In partnership with the Indian Sleep Products Federation (ISPF), The Trash Co. spearheaded India’s 3rd Mattress Recycling Campaign, serving as the operations partner. The company’s role was crucial in establishing efficient channels to recycle used mattresses, ensuring that they were disposed of in an eco-friendly manner. This initiative successfully diverted a significant number of damaged mattresses from landfills, contributing to a cleaner environment.
2. Industrial Waste Recycling Initiatives: The Trash Co. is actively engaged in several cutting-edge projects aimed at recycling industrial waste, including glassine liner, trim waste, and matrix waste. These materials, which are often incinerated, release over 50,000 tons of CO2 equivalents into the atmosphere annually in India. The company’s research-driven approach focuses on a zero- waste methodology, aiming to recycle these materials and drastically reduce emissions. This project represents a significant step towards sustainable industrial practices and a cleaner planet.
3. Sustainable Packaging Solutions: Another notable project involves the development of sustainable packaging solutions in collaboration with leading industries. By integrating recycled materials and innovative design principles, The Trash Co. has helped businesses transition to eco-friendly packaging, reducing their environmental impact and promoting sustainability.
The primary focus of The Trash Co. is to create widespread awareness among both citizens and corporations about the importance of sustainable practices. The company aims to foster small, sustainable habits in individuals and corporate entities, emphasizing the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle − in that order. Through educational workshops, comprehensive awareness campaigns, and engaging online resources, The Trash Co. strives to make sustainability accessible and actionable. Building strong partnerships and collaborations is crucial to the company’s approach, enabling impactful and far-reaching sustainable choices.
Building a startup from the ground up, particularly in the circular economy, has presented significant challenges. One of the primary obstacles was securing initial capital. Coming from a middle-class background, the founders opted for a loan with a high interest rate, which added considerable financial pressure. However, this experience instilled in them a strong sense of resourcefulness and a commitment to bootstrapping operations. Another unique challenge encountered was the lack of readily available, comprehensive data. Waste management and circular practices vary significantly by location, making it difficult to implement a one-size-fits-all, data-driven approach. Despite these hurdles, determination and adaptability have been crucial in navigating and overcoming these challenges.
In the long term, The Trash Co. aims to be a transformative force in the global circular economy space and an advocate for sustainable development. The company plans to build strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders to create a sustainable future.
Recognizing the pivotal role of technology, The Trash Co. will invest in research and development to devise innovative solutions for materials that cannot be recycled in the existing available infrastructures.
The company also plans to enhance its services by providing tailored sustainability consulting, compliance support, and advanced waste management solutions. Efforts will include developing robust data collection and analysis frameworks to address the variability in waste management practices across different regions. Furthermore, The Trash Co. envisions scaling its logistical network to facilitate efficient waste collection and recycling across all Indian states. This includes supporting more recycling facilities by partnering with recyclers, ensuring consistent supply and high-quality standards to the Industries globally.
The Trash Co. intends to make sustainability accessible to everyone. By simplifying sustainable practices and offering practical, easy-to-implement solutions, the company aims to empower individuals and businesses alike to contribute to a greener future. By focusing on these strategic initiatives The Trash Co. aims to lead the way in sustainable innovation, driving significant positive impact on both the environment and the economy
