How this entrepreneur turning e-waste into wealth

New Delhi: Environment conscience solutions for varied industries like handicrafts, textile and waste management have generated string of tech savvy entrepreneurs. But with sustainable business ideas comes challenges of making the venture profitable, appealing to the mass and gambling on an endeavour with Shiv Rao Challa's journey to establishing a waste management company in Manesar, Haryana hasn't been complete bed of roses. Having lived in over 12 different countries in a span of 20 years, Shiv says that his company, 3R ZeroWaste Pvt Ltd, was conceptualised in 2020 in March, just when the world was at the cusp of deadly outbreak of Covid-19 virus. But the path to realise his entrepreneurial capabilities came almost two decades later for Shiv.

"I did B-Tech in computer science from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, and then in the year 2000, I went on to work as project manager for Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and pioneered in implementing electronic project management. In 2006, I went to Nigeria and worked for Exxon Mobil Project and thereon my professional life has been a rollercoaster," Shiv said.

For close to 15 years, Shiv went on to work in different countries including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, South Africa, Australia, Philippines and Sharjah. For a brief period, Shiv returned to India to try his luck as an electronic realtor in Vishakhapatnam, but the business couldn't not take off.

As Shiv explained candidly about his first failed attempt, he said, "There was no progress at all (as realtor). Only sacrifices and then we decided not to continue with this business. I'm not an expert in the field and also the choice of location wasn't wise for the kind of project I had in mind. Therein I left India and went to Kuwait and worked there for four years."

At the beginning of the 2020 pandemic, Shiv realised his entrepreneurial desires and capabilities and returned to India to try his hand as a waste management businessperson. Shiv explained that while he brainstormed the idea to launch a waste management consultancy, his wife was building a project for recycling of plastic. Shiv says that the inspiration and ideas came from the collective discussion with his daughter who drew his attention towards sustainability.

"As my interest into the subject peak, I did a diploma course into solid waste management from an institute based in Switzerland. That helped me understand the basics of the industry. And I reached out to multiple experts through the help of social media. I shared my visions with people from Japan to San Francisco to gather a team from 20 different locations globally," he added.

In July 2020, Shiv started his entrepreneurial journey with a blueprint of promotion of sustainable plastic. "Unfortunately, I soon came to the realisation that India has over 3000 registered recyclers, the market is very crowded. So, I decided that plastic would not be the right way for me to build a niche in the (waste management) market," he added.

Upon further probing on the scope of business in this realm, Shiv realised that electronic waste management holds great potential as a business opportunity in India. He said that while plastic waste is creating pollution, electronic waste is killing people which motivated him to float a management solution towards e-waste.

"Even if I can save one death, against e-waste, in my life, that would be achievement for me," he said. But the road to build and sustain the waste management consultancy business has been tough for the 50-year-old. After the operations commenced at the Manesar plant on 14 October, 2020, Shiv was faced with the challenge of capital and cashflow.

According to the CEO of 3R ZeroWaste, banks have been hesitant to provide loan for his venture which comes under the category of MSME. He also mentioned that the decision to set up a plant in Manesar was taken since the area manages 35 to 40 per cent e-waste generated throughout Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Limited e-waste generation during the lockdown period gave him the idea to expand his waste management consultancy solutions.

"A company may generate 50 kgs of e-waste in a year but they could generate one tonn of production waste every day," Shiv explained saying that the wide array of waste management solutions has garnered them business from Japanese, Taiwanese companies based in India.

But inspite of thriving business enquiries and adequate technology to execute the operations, Shiv says that banks have been hesitant to provide him any kinds of loan. As of 2021, Shiv claims that he has not received any bank loans and has been pooling in money from his pocket to realise his dream of a waste management entrepreneur.

"There are millions of Indians who have great entrepreneurial ideas who are not being able to support them. I would like to raise my voice on whatever forum I go, that government should up its efforts to support entrepreneurs for varied industries to rapidly grow," Shiv, a member of Start-Up India initiative, said.

Other than being active on Start-Up India Forum, Shiv is also mentoring four startups on e-waste. "I tell budding entrepreneurs, don't jump into the well. Do your research well and keep the funding ready."