The oceans regulate the climate and produce most of the oxygen we breathe. They feed us and make a living. Unfortunately, we seem to have a cold attitude towards the life-giving ocean.
All five major oceans on earth are drowning in plastic. This wreaks havoc on marine animals, who die from eating or being entangled in the plastic. It is very important to care for and protect the oceans for our survival and for our posterity.
Thankfully, the tide is turning for the better. On World Oceans Day, take a look at the domestic start-ups and businesses that help protect marine life and use its wealth ethically without harming water bodies.
Theta
Sea-Ta is a Visakhapatnam-based start-up company launched in 2019. Part of Green Waves Environmental Solutions’ marine debris upcycling project.
In pursuit of marine life conservation, the project transforms marine debris into attractive wearable products such as handbags, baskets, bracelets and decorative string lights. Not only does it help reduce hazardous waste in the oceans, it also provides a source of livelihood for fishing communities.
Sea6 Energy
Sea6 Energy was founded in 2010 by Shrikumar Suryanarayan, Sailaja Ori, Nelson Vadasseri and Sowmya Balendiran. This Bangalore-based company manufactures products from seaweed.
The purpose of this startup is to harness the oceans to improve agriculture and food production, create biodegradable alternatives to plastic, and create environmentally sustainable products and solutions to replace fossil fuels as an energy source. That’s it. Sea6 Energy manufactures products such as agricultural commodities, shrimp and fish feed ingredients, agricultural immune boosters and biodegradable alternatives.
Last year, the startup raised $18.5 million from European investors.
Thirty
Saathi is an Ahmedabad-based company founded in 2015 by Kristin Kagetu, Amrita Saigal, Tarun Bosra and Grace Kane. It addresses the problem of plastic parts in sanitary products that often end up in oceans and landfills.
Saathi uses banana fiber to make biodegradable hygiene and hygiene products. The company says all products contain no chemicals or plastics.
Beko
This Mumbai-based D2C startup, founded by Akshay Varma, Aditya Ruia and Anuj Ruia, aims to reduce the use of plastic in everyday life.
Beco makes sustainable and eco-friendly products such as reusable towels, tissues, garbage bags and soaps. Over the past three years, Beco says it has saved more than 500 tons of plastic waste by adopting sustainable production and packaging models.
aqua connect
Founded by Rajamanohar Somasundaram in 2017, this Chennai-based startup provides AI-based aquaculture solutions to fish and shrimp farmers. It enables aquaculture farmers to obtain seafood such as shrimp and fish without harming marine life. Aquaconnect leverages deep technology to monitor water quality and marine life health.