Turning trash into trade

Gandhinagar: Urban and industrial growth brings with it the challenges of mounting waste and shrinking scientific disposal spaces. Startups and MSMEs in Ahmedabad have smelled a business opportunity in sustainable waste management. Construction material from textile waste to compostable packaging, a wide range of solutions have been showcased at Greens 2026, a three-day recycling and circular economy summit inaugurated virtually by Gujarat deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi in Gandhinagar on Thursday. The summit has brought together over 100 industry leaders linked to recycling and sustainable waste management.Where Waste Is CurrencyAhmedabad’s cleantech startup, Recycle.Green lets you exchange waste for products. Its founder Hardik Shah said, “Our app connects consumers with waste collectors, recyclers, delivery partners and makers of recycled products. Users can also schedule doorstep pickups of recyclable waste and earn cashback or credits in return. At our store, users can return used materials such as notebooks, pens, packaging waste and other recyclables instead of discarding them as mixed garbage.” Shah added, “Besides general consumers, we are working with several brands, restaurants and hotels in Ahmedabad to collect and recycle packaging waste,” he added.The Circular ModelUnder Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, facilities generating over 100kg of waste a day are classified as bulk waste generators and must process their own waste or send it to authorised processors. Ahmedabad startup DuroGreen Waste Management is helping such clients through decentralised waste-processing systems.Founder Nishank Shah said the company operates over 40 organic waste composter units across Gujarat and processes nearly 20 metric tonnes daily. “Food waste is turned into compost, dry waste is sent for recycling and inert waste is scientifically processed before being sent to landfills,” he said.“Only about 30% of collected waste eventually reaches landfill sites. Our focus is on creating systems that enable segregation, recovery and sustainable processing at source itself,” Shah added. DuroGreen has executed over 350 projects across residential, commercial and govt segments.Building With Textile WasteGujarat-based startup Re-Verse Green Clothing Private Limited is attempting to divert discarded fabric away from dumping grounds by converting it into material for construction and interiors that can be used for furniture, flooring and wall cladding.“The products come in the form of sheets and use 60-70% textile waste combined with biodegradable binders. Our factory will begin production in two months,” said company director Deep Sanghani. “We are currently focusing on pre-consumer textile waste sourced from production hubs like Ahmedabad, Surat, Bhilwara and Panipat,” said Laksh Sharma, co-founder of the startup.It All Starts At HomeFood waste from commercial and residential kitchens often goes into conventional bins, causing odour, attracting pests and creating hygiene concerns. Ahmedabad’s Apollo Kitchen Equipments and Services Limited has developed a solution that converts food waste into manure.“A food crusher is installed beneath the kitchen sink, and through a dedicated pipeline, sends food waste to an equipment installed in the building’s common area. Here, the waste is dehydrated further to make manure,” Nilesh Nilur, the firm’s director said. According to him, the company has recycled 3,000 MT of waste so far. “Our system converts wet food waste into dry, compact output, while reducing waste volume by nearly 80%. This will further lower collection frequency and transportation requirements.”