Summary

Phool is an Indian company that tackles the massive problem of pollution created at the holy site of the Ganges River by repurposing flowers used in Hindu rituals performed at the holy site. In addition to adding to the problem of water pollution, the pesticides and insecticides used in the production of flowers add to the toxicity profile of the river. The company employs mostly women to collect the discarded flowers and creates incense and paper products from these discarded materials.

Story

Phool was conceptualized when founder Ankit Agarwal visited the ghats (riverbanks) of the Ganges river and saw a truck unload floral waste into the river. Upon further research, he realized that flowers are laced with pesticides which further pollute the river, which has been the cause of sever health concerns like diarrhea, hepatitis, cholera, etc. Over time, Agarwal and his team found a way to repurpose the floral waste into natural incense sticks and cones and also “fleather,” a type of vegan leather.

Pic Credit: Vegconomist (right) and Phool (top)