Phool – A Story Of Change
Support this projectIn India, the fragrance of sacred flowers has inspired Ankit Agarwal. This scientist avoids the pollution of the Ganges by floral waste discarded by temples by recycling it into incense sticks and cones and creating jobs for women in marginalized sections.
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 research to recycle the flowers and a work of sensitization of the local populations, the authorities of the temple agree 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?
Similar projects
Innovative Sustainable Environment Education
Environmental education requires a close cooperation of all segments of society. Based on this belief, the ISEE project team is building cooperation among students, teachers and families around carbon footprint awareness.
Canal Novo Mundo
Thaiane Maciel’s idea? To raise awareness and clean up public spaces in an easy and fun way. She created Canal Novo Mundo and her enthusiasm is contagious.
#QuartierVertChallenge
By cleaning and growing trees and flowers in front of his home, a Senegalese citizen launches the #QuartierVertChallenge (GreenNeighborhoodChallenge) movement.
Support the project
To get involved in a collective adventure:
Discover meaningful projects
Choose your preferred project to embark on
Contact the project owner
Discover inspiring initiatives around the world and find innovative solutions
Duplicate the proposed sustainable solutions
Establish new partnerships
Find inspiration and discover new ideas
Connect and share experiences with other innovators around the world
Contact us to propose your project
Discover the innovations carried out by citizens in your CSR fields of action and in the regions of your choice
Support through funding or by providing skills in your areas of expertise
Contact the project leaders
Find inspiring stories of engaged citizens to enrich your editorial work
Help local projects increase their impact and make them known to your audience
Contact the project managers
Discover citizen initiatives around the world
Invest in local projects aligned with your strategy for sustainable development
Contact the project managers