Managing waste fruitfully

Waste management is a major concern for individuals as well as the government as the volumes are increasing menacingly in the country. His 20- year experience in the IT industry gave Raj Kumar a first-hand experience of the huge problem of e-waste that our country is facing. And this was the genesis of his venture of offering e-waste management solution to industry and citizens. Launched in 2013 as Deshwal Waste Management Private Limited (DWMPL) in Khuskhera (Alwar, Rajasthan), his waste management start-up is now has three recycling plants and generated a revenue of Rs 23 crore in the current financial year. He shares the landmarks of his journey:    

Inspiration

Being associated with the IT industry, I was disturbingly aware of the unorganised e-waste management, dismantling and disposal methods being employed across the country. I felt there was an urgent need to recycle and dispose off this toxic  e-waste. This was the starting point of my venture. DWMPL is one of the leading single point recyclers of e-waste, battery waste, oil waste and plastic in India. The company serves as a one-stop solution for all recycling needs and waste management for society and corporates. 

Challenges

The biggest challenge was to create awareness in society and motivate people to handle e-waste responsibly. Another challenge was to ascertain proper recycling and dismantling of e-waste under safe and scientifically sound environment for which substantial investment had to be made for research and development.  

Achievements

Within a short duration, the company has created a client base of over 200, including industry giants from IT industries, heavy industries, automobiles, consumer goods, financial sector, consulting, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and infrastructure. DWMPL has trained more than 12,000 people about handling e-waste, conducted sessions across residential societies, schools, corporates. Amongst its advance recycling facilities, the large-scale Manesar facility of the company can recycle 3300 MT of e-waste. 

Future plans

Within the next two years DWMPL aims to increase the capacity of its recycling facility and subsequently to process 1,00,000 tonnes of e-waste, which is approximately 5 per cent of the e-waste generated in India. DWMPL is also working towards filing two patents in the coming year on propriety recycling technology. It is targetting a revenue generation of Rs 50 crore by 2020-2022. 

— As told to Geetu Vaid

A word of advice: Market survey and product requirement study is essential before venturing into any industry vertical. Marketing strategy, price factor, product/service design, and identification of target clientele are also important factors that define success in business. Besides this always be ready to learn and imbibe new things.