Sustainable Solutions to Tackle Waste

Ekobarn’s set of two Ekobins is designed for low maintenance, efficient home composting of organic waste. (Photograph courtesy Ekobarn)

India generates over 62 million tons of waste every year, of which only 43 million tons get collected, 12 million tons are treated before disposal and 31 million tons are discarded in landfills. This causes extensive land, water and air pollution. A Mumbai-based start-up Ekobarn, co-founded by Nexus alumna Vaidehi Naik-Nandola, is helping commercial and residential communities convert their organic waste into sustainable compost through low-cost and low-maintenance solutions. Ekobarn was part of Cohort 17 at the Nexus incubator at the American Center New Delhi. A partnership between the U.S. Embassy New Delhi and ACIR, Nexus connects start-ups, innovators and investors, offering access to networks, training, mentors and funding.

Nandola shares her insights on the company’s environmental mission and her experiences in a conversation with SPAN. Excerpts from the interview:

What is Ekobarn’s origin story?

Ekobarn’s origin story is rooted in a shared commitment to environmental sustainability. My co-founders and I connected through our mutual passion for addressing waste management challenges. Our core values include a dedication to ecofriendly practices, technology innovation and a collaborative approach to creating impactful solutions for composting and wet waste management. Together, we envisioned Ekobarn as a platform to promote a greener and more sustainable future.

What is Ekobarn’s mission? How do its products and services fulfill that mission?

Ekobarn is on a mission to revolutionize waste management by offering cutting-edge solutions for composting and wet waste management. Our suite of services integrates advanced technology to efficiently convert organic waste into valuable resources. We developed our own compost cultures, bio-culture and composting bins to overcome resistance to treating waste at home. Our composting process is odor-free and also converts waste to compost within eight weeks.

By promoting sustainability and circular economy principles, Ekobarn aims to minimize environmental impact and contribute to a cleaner, greener future.

Could you tell us about Ekobarn’s impact and successes?

Ekobarn has recently achieved significant milestones. Our newly designed composting breathable bins have not only elevated the user experience but also increased waste diversion rates. Our community compost bin, EkoCycler, capable of treating one ton per day, has been successfully adopted by various communities, making large-scale waste management more efficient and ecofriendly. Our improved bio-culture, featuring novel fungi and bacteria strains, enhances plant dry matter decomposition, reinforcing Ekobarn’s position at the forefront of cutting-edge, environmentally conscious solutions.

What were your main takeaways from the Nexus Startup Hub training?

Participating in the Nexus training was transformative. It provided invaluable insights into the intersection of technology and environmental sustainability. The experience highlighted the significance of diverse perspectives in tech entrepreneurship and empowered me to navigate challenges confidently. The networking opportunities enriched my understanding of the global landscape, fostering collaborations that have since propelled Ekobarn’s growth and impact.

What is the most promising change you’ve seen for women entrepreneurs in technology?

The most promising change in the tech space for women entrepreneurs is an increasing recognition of diverse voices and talents. Many initiatives now support and highlight women-led ventures. However, there’s room for improvement in fostering equal access to funding and opportunities. Bridging this gap will further amplify the positive impact of women entrepreneurs in the industry.

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or partnerships?

We’re exploring hybrid processing models to maximize efficiency in waste management. Collaborations with farmers for agri-waste processing aim to create sustainable solutions for waste reduction and soil enrichment. Moreover, blending compost with mineral-rich resources is a priority, fostering organic farming practices. Our pipeline also includes ventures into bio-digestate production through anaerobic digestion and converting waste into bio-oil, marking exciting steps toward a circular economy.

Jason Chiang is a freelance writer based in Silver Lake, Los Angeles.

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