We get valuable life lessons at unexpected times and from unexpected people. The same happened with Shreyas Jain Jalapur and Henik Gala. Interestingly, they found their hero/mentor/life lesson from a local scrap collector.
His shop was across from their school in Thane from where the important life lesson started: waste management.
In June 2023, this experience turned into action when Henik (26) and Shreyas (26) launched their startup Scrapji. Through it, they plan to transform society by promoting recycling activities.
So far, the startup has recycled around 10 tonnes of scrap monthly in Thane, Maharashtra alone.
Inspiration Brought Them Together
The tale is as old as time-2012. Well not that old I would say 😅
While collecting trash during their school days, the duo befriended each other connecting over the issue of the growing trash problem in local communities and India as a whole.
During those days, they collected trash and took it to the scrap shop where they spent quality time after that; talking and discussing things about scrap collection and related topics.
A Revelation: Scrap collectors do this as a means of livelihood and not as a concern about the environment.
Shocked? Me? No, because we know this! But the founders, kids at that time, must have found it a topic to wonder.
However, this turned out to be the Eureka moment for them as it ignited a spark, a desire, to change perceptions.
Taking Different Paths but With the Same Goal
After completing their education, Henik pursued management and Shreyas turned towards automobile engineering.
One thing that never changed: Their passion for recycling things.
Finally, in 2023, when the pandemic hit the world, it resulted in increasing India’s waste problem, making it worse than before.
This is when the duo decided to take action by working within the industry and making the change.
Aim: To organize the scrap sector. To create a circular economy—from collection to recycling.
Learning is Important Before Acting
Henik and Shreyas understood the logic and realized that the scrap industry needs more than just ‘good intentions’ and ‘big talks’.
Taking the bold decision: To understand the market’s volatility, sales, management, and other ground realities, the duo decided to collect waste from homes themselves.
It took them a considerable amount of time to learn:
- Local vendors’ pricing.
- Challenges faced by them.
- Interactions they get into.
Facing the Challenges Head-on
Just as we all know, bootstrapping a venture comes with its difficulties and hurdles. But the founders were dedicated to doing things independently without relying on their parents.
That’s the spirit! 👍🏿
Thus, to handle things on a budget, Henik decided to use a storage facility for storing things. However, due to a lack of storage facility in 2023, Henik’s Dombivli home was used, but that was another challenge instead of a respite.
1 tiny flat and 9 family members living in it (excluding Henik). No lift. Hundreds of kilos of newspaper are to be taken up and down the STAIRS.
Dreadful! 😪
Overcoming the Challenges
Despite facing significant challenges, Henik and Shreyas’ commitment yielded remarkable results. Within months, they surpassed the sales volumes of dealers who had been in the industry for decades.
They prioritized customer satisfaction and leveraged their professional expertise. Thus, they established a strong foundation of trust. There was no turning back then because through personal visits and strong word-of-mouth referrals, they rapidly grew their customer base to nearly 2,000 clients.
But How Scrapji Works?
Scrapji’s service model is similar to local vendors: it offers doorstep collection. However, it stands out due to its efficiency. While local vendors face inconsistencies, such as not collecting from all households because of space issues in their carts, Scrapji addresses these limitations.
HOW?
To cater to this, the duo implemented a technology-driven solution to streamline pick-up timings. With this, customers can easily schedule pick-ups via Scrapji’s website or WhatsApp.
Then, customers receive payment on the basis of the weight of the scrap they provide.
A dedicated team sorts materials in their storage facility, guaranteeing they are directed to the appropriate recyclers. Their strategy is supported by a strong vision: to offer fair market rates to customers.
How Do They Make Money?
The duo, Henik and Shreyas, is steadily transforming the scrap industry with:
- Daily 10-15 customer pickups.
- Recycling of 10 tonnes of waste each month in collaboration with seven third-party recyclers.
The company’s revenue generation is increasing, almost doubling since commencement.
- FY 2023-24: Rs 11 lakh
- Target for FY 2024-25: Rs 24 lakh
A Collaboration Worth Celebrating
With the expansion of the business, the founders were planning to partner with a reputed name to promote their initiative. Which, by many, was considered a ridiculous idea.
Cricketer Dinesh Karthik was approached, and when one day, the cricketer’s manager called Scrapji to validate the cricketer’s involvement:
- Karthik opted for equity and showed his commitment to Scrapji’s 2030 goals.
- He also promised to introduce the startup to the government.
- Also, to connect them with investors and offer valuable support.
So with their strong commitment, Scrapji aims to organize the fragmented scrap industry by integrating local vendors and experienced professionals. The aim for a trash-free India by 2030 relies on community engagement and financial sustainability, with plans to scale the company’s model nationally.
You can also recycle the scrap @Scrapji
Follow their journey @Scrapji
