Project
Phool – A Story of Change
More than 8.4 tons of flowers grown with insecticides and pesticides were being dumped into the Ganges from temples in Uttar Pradesh every day. To address this source of water pollution, Ankit Agarwal has developed a unique technology to recycle used flowers into artisanal organic products. He started Phool, a natural incense stick and cone manufacturing company that employs women from marginalized sections of the community and offers them a fair wage. After a long study about recycling flowers and working to raise the awareness of local populations, the temple authorities of agreed to give the used flowers to the company instead of dumping them in the river.
2000 jobs for women
Since 2018, floral waste collection has increased from 7.5 kg to 8.5 tons. This initiative now employs more than 200 women in India, in different collection units in Kanpur, Tirupati, Mathura and Varanasi. Through its research and development work, this company also aims to offer alternative solutions for packaging materials, polystyrene and leather.
Phool’s ambition is to expand to the whole of India and create 2,000 jobs by the end of 2022.
Are you inspired by this beautiful project?
Project began: 20/07/2021
Leading organisation: Kanpur Flowercycling Private Limited
The country where the team is based: India
Covered Countries: India
Theme: Education for Sustainable Development
Sub-themes: Environment, Gender equality and women's empowerment, Waste management
Tag: #Women
