Reduce, reuse paper: Graduates' green mantra

BENGALRU: Months before Karnataka banned plastic, five enterprising youngsters decided to do their bit for the environment. From finding a replacement to pamphlets to developing reusable notebooks, they are changing the way we use paper.

Around seven months ago, the graduates, all in their 20s, decided to do away with pamphlets, a cruel waste of paper. They hit upon a green idea - replacing them with paper bags. Instead of printing advertisements on thin sheets of paper which are mindlessly strewn around, they ask companies to print them on paper bags developed by them. The bags are then given free of cost to supermarket chains and provision stores.

Their second innovation was born in February this year - a reusable notebook called Inkinite. "The notebook with erasable sheets works like a portable whiteboard. It includes blank and lined papers, a page in which you can make a list of things to do and a transparent sheet which can be used to trace images or explain anything," said Nitin J, one of the five founders of Adept Adlab, the startup behind these products.


The notebooks are a huge success - they sold like hotcakes at the recent Open Street event on MG Road and the Karnataka Habba at Chitrakala Parishath. The youngsters will also distribute them to government schools around Malleswaram. "We wanted to do something different. And the notebook seemed like a win-win idea. There is a huge opportunity for such products and whatever doubts we had about them not having a market have been dispelled, thanks to the overwhelming response we received at the two platforms," Nitin told OI.

"So much paper is wasted every day. It can be recycled. But wouldn't it be better if we could reuse it, over and over again?" said Chandan, part of the team.

For every 100 notebooks they sell, the graduates have pledged to donate 10 to government schools. Those interested can also place orders for the books, which will be delivered to the destination. To begin with, about 200 notebooks will be donated later this month.

Over the past six months, Adept Adlabs has printed three editions of paper bags and distributed them in Malleswaram, Vijayangar, Kammanahalli and Nagarbhavi. "Although banning plastic was in the pipeline for too long, the real problem is implementing the ban," said Sandeep V, one of the graduates. "We noticed the public was largely aware of the hazards of plastic but many people were reluctant to opt for the alternatives - paper or cloth bags," he said.

Printing ads on a paper bag costs about Rs 10 but with three advertisers sharing the cost (three faces of the bag have an ad each), it is feasible. Paper bags are not only eco-friendly but more durable than a pamphlet, said Nitin.

Tough to get people on board

Pamphlets have a limited reach but not everyone can afford to advertise in newspapers. This is where got the idea of a paper bag. But getting the bags into the market is not a cakewalk. When we pitch the idea, everyone nods in agreement but many are hesitant to give up their traditional ways and make a transition

Nitin J, one of the founders of Adept Adlab

Parents' backing boosted confidence

While Nitin, Manjunath and Sandeep are childhood buddies, Chandan joined the gang during engineering. Sandeep's brother Vinod, a BCom graduate, is also part of the team. While Vinod is aged about 27, the others are all 24. "We were a little apprehensive in the beginning. So were our parents. But they stood by us and I think that is what got us this far," said Manjunath.