Transforming Waste Management

Aakri provides home collection services for domestic biomedical waste, which is filtered using green technology in collaboration with Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Ltd. (Photograph courtesy Aakri)

C. Chandrashekhar decided to venture into the waste management sector when a scrap collector at his house in Kochi, Kerala, refused to collect items like shoes and thermocol, saying they had no recycling value in the market. Such items, explained the scrap collector, get dumped as waste. “I started working part-time at a scrap yard to learn about recycling for a year,” says Chandrashekhar. “After understanding the recycling process and observing unclear pricing and wrong weighing measures practiced in the industry, I decided to make positive changes.”

Chandrashekhar launched a start-up called Aakri, which means “scrap” in Malayalam, and developed a mobile app. With a staff of two and one vehicle, he started collecting scrap in 2019. Within a year, he was working in partnership with Clean Kerala Company Limited, a state government entity, and the cement industry. “We then expanded into business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) sectors, all seamlessly integrated into the app,” he says.

Aakri has become a household name in Kerala for its waste management services. The start-up, which was part of the 19th cohort at the U.S. Embassy New Delhi’s Nexus Startup Hub, has a customer base exceeding 100,000 in Kerala, including municipalities, commercial establishments and residential communities. Aakri now plans to expand its services to other states.

Excerpts from an interview with Chandrashekhar.

How has the start-up evolved since its launch?

Aakri has seen remarkable growth. Within a year of its launch, our customer base surged from 100 to 5,000. In 2021, we enhanced the app, introduced regional zones, and established an in-house technology wing and call center. A year later, we launched the iOS app, expanded to three key districts, and collaborated with Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Ltd (KEIL) for biomedical waste management. We also made our app more user-friendly by adding features like subscriptions, online payments and multilingual support. By 2023, our team grew to 47 members. Prioritizing sustainability, we use CNG and electric vehicles.

How did the idea of using technology for waste management come in?

The idea of incorporating technology stemmed from a combination of environmental concerns, technological advancements, market opportunities, personal experiences and a desire to make an impact. We believe that using technologies like mobile apps in waste management can offer convenient and efficient solutions to real-life problems.

Tell us about Aakri’s role in safe and eco-friendly disposal of biomedical waste.

We collect a range of biomedical waste from homes, including urinal bags, diapers, sanitary napkins, expired medicines and laboratory waste. We have teamed up with KEIL for the scientific processing of this waste. We use yellow bar-coded bags that adhere strictly to the Biomedical Waste Management Rules of 2016. Additionally, we are in the process of establishing our own disposal plants, in association with Re Sustainability, a resource management company, for disposal of biomedical waste at a lower cost.

What challenges and opportunities did Aakri face in the waste management sector?

Challenges include the complex nature of plastic waste, difficulties in proper segregation and the sheer volume of waste generated. We navigate these challenges by using the Aakri app to streamline collection and recycling. The introduction of extended producer responsibility (EPR), which promotes recycling and reuse of plastic and e-waste has also helped.

What are your key takeaways from the training at the Nexus Startup Hub?

Nexus helped us with networking, access to expertise and motivation. Meeting fellow entrepreneurs, mentors and being a part of the program opened doors to collaboration. The training sessions often featured experts who provided insights into various aspects of entrepreneurship, such as business development, marketing and funding strategies.

How do you maintain customer loyalty?

Customers can connect with us through toll-free numbers, email and online portals, and we respond promptly. We also develop our strategies through regular feedback. Our robust processes, flexible services and proactiveness help increase our reliability. Technologically, we implement solutions like route optimization, IoT-enabled waste bins and customer management platforms for operational efficiency.

What are your upcoming projects, and what will be your role in shaping the future of waste management?

The launch of a smart bin facility in Kochi will address the needs of the floating population and ensure secure waste disposal. Looking ahead, Aakri aims to extend its biomedical waste collection services throughout Kerala and beyond.

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