Member Upaya Social Ventures presents us Green Worms, which evolution from a humble waste management initiative to a champion of women’s empowerment and circular economy solutions showcases the transformative power of social entrepreneurship.
Member Upaya Social Ventures presents us Green Worms, which has evolved from a humble waste management initiative to a champion of women’s empowerment and circular economy solutions and showcases the transformative power of social entrepreneurship.
Green Worms’ story is one of passion and purpose, born from Jabir Karat’s firsthand experience with India’s waste crisis and the plight of ragpickers. His journey from Gandhi Fellow to waste worker ignited a lifelong mission to tackle this global challenge. In 2014, Green Worms emerged as his solution, aiming to address waste management while empowering marginalized communities.
Empowering Women
Jabir Karat
From humble beginnings as a one-person operation, Green Worms quickly recognized the dedication and efficiency of its women workers from low-income communities. In 2016, a pivotal shift occurred. The company recognized that providing dignified jobs to women could not only combat the waste crisis but also alleviate poverty. Green Worms streamlined its workforce, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for its female employees.
Micro-Entrepreneurship Takes Root
2018 brought another breakthrough. Green Worms leveraged Kerala’s supportive policies for Self Help Groups to empower women further. Collaborating with local administrations, they engaged women as “Waste-preneurs,” offering them guaranteed income for waste collection. This innovative approach enabled Green Worms to scale its impact while providing waste management solutions to numerous villages.
Protecting Coastal Communities
In 2020, Green Worms turned its attention to the vulnerable coastal regions, particularly the Lakshadweep and Andaman Islands. Recognizing the disproportionate impact of plastic pollution and climate change on these communities, the company focused its efforts on these areas, becoming a certified Ocean-bound plastics collector.
Driving the Circular Economy
By 2022, Green Worms recognized the urgent need for a circular economy transition. Understanding that brands and producers needed to shift from virgin materials to recycled plastic, the company stepped up to accelerate this change. Green Worms began offering circular economy solutions and Extended Producer Responsibility compliance to various FMCG brands.
Green Worms’ journey exemplifies the power of social entrepreneurship to drive positive change. From its humble beginnings to its current role as a champion of the circular economy, the company’s story is an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere. It demonstrates that with passion, innovation, and a commitment to empowerment, even the most daunting challenges can be transformed into opportunities for a better world.
Find more inspiring stories from entrepreneurs who transformed their ideas into growing businesses, a testimony of ANDE’s members’ impactful work, and a celebration of entrepreneurship’s transformative power.