The Growing Crisis of Ocean Pollution
Every day, an alarming amount of trash makes its way into our rivers and oceans, posing a severe threat to the marine ecosystem and human health. Approximately 8 million pieces of plastic find their way to the sea daily, resulting in about 11 million metric tons of plastics dumped into the oceans each year. This staggering figure is expected to triple by 2040, highlighting the urgent need for effective waste management solutions. Amid this growing crisis, young Indian entrepreneur Sahar Mansoor is stepping up to make a difference.
Sahar Mansoor: A Visionary Leader
Sahar Mansoor is the founder and CEO of Bare Necessities (BN), a unique hub for zero-waste living in India. BN stands out as a personal and home care brand that not only offers zero-waste products but also provides educational materials and consulting services. The brand is committed to using ethically, locally, and naturally sourced ingredients, making it a pioneer in sustainable living.
Sahar’s educational background is impressive; she has studied in India, Los Angeles, and Cambridge, and has volunteered on various humanitarian projects in Guatemala, Jamaica, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. With a degree in environmental policy from Cambridge University, she has also worked for the World Health Organization and assisted the SELCO Foundation in introducing decentralized renewable energy projects in rural Karnataka. Her diverse experiences have shaped her understanding of environmental issues and fueled her passion for sustainable living.
The Inception of Bare Necessities
Upon returning to India in 2015, Sahar was deeply affected by the country’s waste crisis. The sight of garbage piles on the streets and the plight of local waste pickers sorting through waste with their bare hands left a lasting impression on her. This experience ignited a passion in Sahar to address the environmental, health, and social justice issues associated with waste.
Determined to stop contributing to the problem, Sahar knew she had to address her trash habits first. “I had called myself an environmentalist for about six years at the time. I decided I needed to live a life fully congruent with my environmental and social justice values. I needed to walk the talk, and I knew I had to start living a zero-waste lifestyle,” she recalls.
In her zero-waste journey, Sahar realized that finding personal care and home care products free of harmful chemicals and plastic packaging was nearly impossible. As an advocate for mindful consumption, she recognized the need to make sustainable choices more accessible to others, which led her to create Bare Necessities in 2016.
Products That Don’t Contribute to the Waste Problem
Bare Necessities offers a range of everyday products that do not contribute to the waste problem. All products are natural, toxin-free, and packaged in reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable materials. The brand relies on ethical sourcing from local farmers and vendors, emphasizing women’s employment and addressing the growing waste issue while providing ethical and innovative solutions.
To improve awareness regarding zero-waste living and sustainable lifestyles, Sahar and her team have designed sustainability-themed online courses, talks, and workshops. These educational initiatives cover topics such as waste management, waste reduction, and ethical consumerism, empowering customers with actionable knowledge. Currently, Bare Necessities offers three online courses—Zero Waste Living 101, Building Blocks of Sustainability, and Introduction to Circular Economy. These courses are recognized by UNESCO as a climate action resource and have garnered over 70,000 enrollments.
Measuring the Impact
Bare Necessities is a Certified B Corporation, making it the first fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brand in India to achieve this prestigious certification. This certification signifies a rigorous vetting process that evaluates the brand’s entire social and environmental impact. As part of a movement committed to creating a more inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy, Bare Necessities reinforces its purpose as a business for good.
The organization is dedicated to measuring its impact in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and follows a triple bottom line approach—people, planet, and profit. As of 2023, Bare Necessities has sold 179,547 products, saving over 103 million plastic units from landfills and the environment. This effort has diverted approximately 540,135.21 kg of waste from landfills during its seven years of operation.
Tackling Challenges
Despite its success, Bare Necessities faces challenges in a competitive market. Newer companies have emerged, some offering cheaper products that do not meet the same rigorous standards as Bare Necessities. Communicating the value of BN’s certified, high-quality, and genuinely earth-friendly materials to customers accustomed to lower-cost alternatives is a significant hurdle. Unfortunately, these cheaper products often falsely claim to be made from sustainable materials.
Nevertheless, Bare Necessities remains committed to maintaining the essence and quality of its products, aligning with Sahar’s goal of sustainable living and a no-waste policy. This dedication sets Bare Necessities apart and reinforces its commitment to making a positive environmental impact.
Engaging with Local Communities
Bare Necessities actively raises awareness about sustainability through its inclusive employment philosophy, transparent sourcing, and refill programs. Its UNESCO-recognized sustainability school has reached over 2.5 million people, empowering them with actionable knowledge.
One notable initiative is ‘The Last Straw’ project, which supports coconut vendors in transitioning to organic coconut leaf straws to combat single-use plastic straws. This initiative not only addresses plastic pollution but also influences policy discussions by providing actionable recommendations for promoting eco-friendly alternatives.
Additionally, Bare Necessities has fostered partnerships with organizations like Maruvan, focused on reforestation, and Hasiru Dala, which empowers waste workers, demonstrating its commitment to making a positive impact.
Primary Obstacles in Advocating for Better Waste Management in India
Sahar identifies a significant lack of awareness regarding the importance of proper waste segregation and responsible disposal among the general public. This issue is compounded by inadequate waste collection systems, sorting facilities, and recycling plants, which hinder effective waste management.
The informal waste pickers, who sort through waste with their bare hands, are particularly vulnerable. Their health and working conditions are at risk, making it crucial to integrate them into a formal system with proper training and support. While many organizations and NGOs are working towards these causes, the implementation and enforcement of regulations to tackle the waste crisis remain critical.
Future Roadmap
Looking ahead, Bare Necessities envisions itself as an interdisciplinary hub where product designers can collaborate to create products with a cradle-to-cradle philosophy. The organization aims to serve as a platform for policy analysts to work with local governments on effective waste management policies and foster collaboration among economists, ecologists, researchers, and consumers to advance towards a circular economy.
Bare Necessities also seeks to expand into new geographies and industries, providing zero-waste consultancy services and leveraging technological products for synergy gains. Ultimately, the goal is to co-create with collaborators and the community, driving forward the mission of sustainable living and environmental stewardship.