“EcoCentric works towards bridging the gap between the generation of e-waste and its effective disposal by offering solutions to responsible companies who want to discard their e-waste in an eco-friendly manner.” Karan Thakkar, Founder, EcoCentric
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| Karan Thakkar, Founder, EcoCentric |
ST: Please tell
us more about your start-up.
Karan Thakkar: EcoCentric Management Pvt Ltd (EcoCentric) is
one of India’s leading electronics asset management company. With
“Reduce Reuse Recycle” as their core belief, EcoCentric was founded in
January 2011 to create a professionally run e-waste processing company.
one of India’s leading electronics asset management company. With
“Reduce Reuse Recycle” as their core belief, EcoCentric was founded in
January 2011 to create a professionally run e-waste processing company.
EcoCentric works towards bridging the gap between the
generation of e-waste and its effective disposal by offering solutions to
responsible companies who want to discard their e-waste in an eco-friendly
manner. We have set up a recycling unit in Maharashtra, which processes the
e-waste generated by our client firms and households in an environment-friendly
manner. We also have tie-ups with leading recyclers in the country. We help
people manage their e-waste by building an e-waste management framework.
generation of e-waste and its effective disposal by offering solutions to
responsible companies who want to discard their e-waste in an eco-friendly
manner. We have set up a recycling unit in Maharashtra, which processes the
e-waste generated by our client firms and households in an environment-friendly
manner. We also have tie-ups with leading recyclers in the country. We help
people manage their e-waste by building an e-waste management framework.
EcoCentric offers corporates and
individuals a customized end-to-end solution for e-waste management, asset
recovery, data security, and destruction, reverse logistics, CSR initiatives
(donations to NGOs), refurbishment services while complying with the
environment and legislative norms pertaining to ethical, safe and compliant
e-waste management, recycling and disposal.
individuals a customized end-to-end solution for e-waste management, asset
recovery, data security, and destruction, reverse logistics, CSR initiatives
(donations to NGOs), refurbishment services while complying with the
environment and legislative norms pertaining to ethical, safe and compliant
e-waste management, recycling and disposal.
ST: What was
your idea/inspiration behind starting up a new venture in E-Waste
management?
your idea/inspiration behind starting up a new venture in E-Waste
management?
Karan Thakkar: Once,
while sitting in office, I was reading about the influx of e-book readers. Some
time in early 2010, the popularity of the Kindle had started rising. That led
me to wonder what happened to these electronic gadgets once they became
obsolete. I started reading about the life cycle of electronics, which later
gave birth to EcoCentric.
while sitting in office, I was reading about the influx of e-book readers. Some
time in early 2010, the popularity of the Kindle had started rising. That led
me to wonder what happened to these electronic gadgets once they became
obsolete. I started reading about the life cycle of electronics, which later
gave birth to EcoCentric.
ST: What business opportunities do you see in E-Waste
management in India?
management in India?
Karan Thakkar: All this
years the focus was on manufacturing products and services. Globally we have
done a great job making some some products and services. Manufacturing and
consumption of these products and services has led to too much waste
generation. The next century and perpetually there after waste management will
be a lifestyle problem and will need a lifestyle solution. Every year we see
some new device creating a paradigm shift in the electronics market, Tablet,
Wearable Devices and so on this is an endless cycle and will always continue.
India generates 2 million tonnes of E-waste annually and this will increase
year on year.
years the focus was on manufacturing products and services. Globally we have
done a great job making some some products and services. Manufacturing and
consumption of these products and services has led to too much waste
generation. The next century and perpetually there after waste management will
be a lifestyle problem and will need a lifestyle solution. Every year we see
some new device creating a paradigm shift in the electronics market, Tablet,
Wearable Devices and so on this is an endless cycle and will always continue.
India generates 2 million tonnes of E-waste annually and this will increase
year on year.
ST: How has been your entrepreneurship so far?
Karan Thakkar: It’s been
a great journey. You become a lot more self aware of your strengths and
weakness when you are on your own. I am also fortunate that I am in an industry
which has a positive impact on environment.
a great journey. You become a lot more self aware of your strengths and
weakness when you are on your own. I am also fortunate that I am in an industry
which has a positive impact on environment.
ST: What challenges do you face in your day to day professional life, if
any?
any?
Karan Thakkar: I take
each day as it comes and try to achieve my daily targets. Biggest challenge is
to be disciplined and focus on the larger picture. When your are connected to
your purpose you work on every second. My challenges are about how I deal it
with.
each day as it comes and try to achieve my daily targets. Biggest challenge is
to be disciplined and focus on the larger picture. When your are connected to
your purpose you work on every second. My challenges are about how I deal it
with.
ST: How big is your team? Are you planning to
hire more?
hire more?
Karan Thakkar: We are
about 25 now. Yes we are hiring.
about 25 now. Yes we are hiring.
ST: What are your future plans?
Karan Thakkar: We are
setting up collection centres across India so companies and individuals can
dispose their e-waste. We are also setting up 10,000 mtpa 2nd plant in Khopoli
which will be a fully integrated recycling plant with precious metal refining
capability.
setting up collection centres across India so companies and individuals can
dispose their e-waste. We are also setting up 10,000 mtpa 2nd plant in Khopoli
which will be a fully integrated recycling plant with precious metal refining
capability.
Interviewed by Startup Terminal
