Siddharth A K’s journey began on the serene beaches of Kerala, where summer vacations with his mother involved impromptu beach cleanups.
The tradition continued even after her passing, as Siddharth channelled his grief into purposeful action against plastic pollution.
Inspired by memories of his mother and driven by Kerala’s escalating plastic waste crisis, he launched ‘Carbon & Whale’ to revolutionise plastic waste management.
His resilience fueled his resolve to invest all his savings into the startup, even selling personal belongings — including his TV, fridge, sofa, washing machine, oven, and mixer grinder — to fund research.
At Carbon & Whale, Siddharth, along with friends Sooraj Verma and Alvin George, transforms plastic waste into utility items like furniture and paver tiles.
Their approach highlights the durability of recycled products — paver tiles stronger than traditional interlocks and benches resistant to termite damage. This innovative use of plastic ensures both longevity and recyclability.
Their interlocking paver tiles and public benches have already been installed in several malls and metro stations across Kerala and Bengaluru.
Over the past two years, the company has prevented 10,000 kg of plastic waste from polluting landfills and oceans.
Through grants from government bodies like the Kerala Startup Mission, the trio secured Rs 15 lakh in funding, propelling their revenue from Rs 67,000 to an impressive Rs 4 crore annually!
For Siddharth, the startup is a tribute to his mother’s memory. “The work we do at our company feels like her legacy — transforming grief into purpose and giving back to the earth, just as she always taught me.”