FRIENDS

Inspired by a neighbourhood kabadiwaala, Henik Gala and Shreyas Jalapur built ScrapJi — a tech-enabled scrap collection startup that now recycles over 10,000 kg of waste every month in Thane. Their mission? A trash-free India by 2030.

Informal waste pickers are people who work under harsh conditions and put their lives on the line every single day to ensure our comfort. But they are not recognised or appreciated the way they should be. Here’s how this campaign is trying to change that. #Invaluables

Hafez Rahman and Akshay Raveendran launched Athey Nallatha, a small-scale pickle manufacturing business, which employs Kerala's homemakers.

Abdul Shameer and Sadakkathulla from Kozhikode, Kerala, are distributing 'fresh' tender coconuts with expiry and date of collection. With their Royal Karikku venture, they're also helping coconut farmers earn more.

Econiture sells furniture and home decors made from recycled plastic. Their collection includes chairs, stools, racks, stands, shelves, pots, benches and tables.

From the heartbreaks of teen life to attaining professional goals, the two girls grew up in each other's pocket, close-knit, almost inseparable.

“I realised that taking my life would be a horrible thing when I could spend it helping others in need.”

"We have been educating our customers to pack the leftover food and donate it. In addition to the leftovers from our outlet, people of the city also donate food regularly. Sometimes we also have fresh food left in the fridge.”

They sifted through the pile to find the source of soft wails using their phone torches and realised it came out of a plastic bag. To their utter shock, inside that plastic bag, lay a newborn baby girl, struggling to breathe.

She recently took a sabbatical from being a bank manager of a leading public sector bank and has been working towards helping a group of street kids in Indirapuram in Ghaziabad.