The Ganges is a lifeline to 420 million people but is the second most polluted river in the world. That is little surprise considering 96 percent of the flowers cast into the river contain highly toxic pesticides.
During the festival of Makara Sankranti in 2015, Ankit Agarwal and a friend watched pilgrims drink the dirty waters of the Ganges, India’s holy river. At the same time, they saw local temples dumping used flowers into the water, their pesticide coating poisoning the river. In that moment, Ankit had an idea that would soon become his business: Phool, the company that created Fleather.
At first, Phool collected this floral waste and turned it into incense sticks. As they did, however, something extraordinary happened. A thick mat-like substance began to grow over the unused fibres lying on their factory floor. This mat, they realised, could be turned into a sustainable alternative to environmentally damaging animal and plastic leather. They called the new material Fleather.
Since then, Phool has collected 13000 tonnes of floral waste, and they now create 90 square fts of Fleather each day. In the process, they have created valuable employment opportunities for a marginalised community. Phool today employs over 163 female ‘flowercyclers’ from the Dalit caste who collect waste flowers. In time, they hope to employ 5,000.
With agreements to supply to fashion giants, that ambition is justified. Seven years ago, Ankit Agarwal saw worshippers poisoning their holy river. Today, Fleather has turned the tide, cleaning the river and helping those who worship it too.
By 2030, we choose to ensure that, for the first time in human history, the natural world is growing – not shrinking – on our planet.
This Earthshot focuses on three main areas of interest:
By 2030 we choose to ensure that everyone in the world breathes clean, healthy air – at World Health Organization standard or better.
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By 2030, we choose to repair and preserve our oceans for future generations.
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By 2030, we choose to build a world where nothing goes to waste, where the leftovers of one process become the raw materials of the next – just like they do in nature.
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We choose to fix the world’s climate by cutting out carbon: building a carbon neutral economy that lets every culture, community and country thrive.
This Earthshot focuses on three main areas of interest:
