Bengaluru :<\/p>\n
Raahul Khadaliya, 36, founder, Studio ABCD, started the dialogue around reusing waste in 2011. That was when sustainability had yet not become a buzzword. \u201cClients didn\u2019t want to pay extra for sustainable practices,\u201d says Khadaliya, a NIFT Bengaluru graduate, whose design firm helped businesses with branding and visual communication with a focus on sustainability.<\/p>\n
With an idea to launch a project that was sustainable from a social, innovation and environmental impact, Khadaliya, started The Second Life Project in 2012 that was upcycling newspapers using traditional block printing technique to turn discarded paper into gift wrapping paper.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cBlock printers are losing their livelihood to machine printed products. The idea was to think of an alternative livelihood for these craftsmen. It had three purposes \u2014 waste management, sustainable livelihoods and to raise consumer awareness on reusing waste,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
Over time, Khadaliya realised that a large amount of paper was also wasted in printing presses. \u201cThere is 5-8% of wastage when brochures and other such things are printed. On a large scale that amounts to a lot. These end up in landfills or waste because there\u2019s no place to store them,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u00a0It was then that the idea of weaving handloom from waste paper began to take shape. After eight months of research, Khadaliya built a paper weave loom, a redesigned version of the handloom. Made from waste wood, it can weave flat substances into raw material to be used further. \u201cWhile our current focus is on paper, in future, we have identified waste materials like rubber tube strips and flex banners, which are a great nuisance, to be turned into woven handloom.\u00a0The loom works completely on renewable human energy and the entire process is green,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
\u00a0While making garment is not possible from this woven handloom, it can be used for panelling in interiors, making removable partitions, linings, wall art, gift wrapping. \u201cWe are currently looking at funds to scale this up. In future, we will collaborate with nonprofits to increase production. The final aim is to build a cooperative like the Lijjat Papad and provide meaningful and sustainable livelihoods to artisans and people,\u201d Khadaliya says<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
According to Sunitha Jayaram, product lead, Saahas Zero Waste, a socio-environmental enterprise that believes in a circular economy, an innovation like this can help raise awareness about not only waste produced by different industries but also how to put that to good use. \u201cUsing the waste of one industry as a raw material for another is what circular economy is. Once people see products that come out of waste, it can also help behavioural change towards reduce, reuse and recycle,\u201d Jayaram adds.<\/p>\n
Bengaluru : Raahul Khadaliya, 36, founder, Studio ABCD, started the dialogue around reusing waste in 2011. That was when sustainability had yet not become a buzzword. \u201cClients didn\u2019t want to pay extra for sustainable practices,\u201d says Khadaliya, a NIFT Bengaluru graduate, whose design firm helped businesses with branding and visual communication with a focus on … Continue reading Wealth from waste! This loom in Bengaluru can turn paper, rubber strips into green products<\/span>