From Chips Packets to Lakhs: How Anish Malpani Turned Waste Plastic into ₹11 Lakh in Just 7 Days

New Delhi: What if the empty packet of chips you throw away could make someone a millionaire? That’s exactly what Anish Malpani did. In just one week, the 36-year-old entrepreneur generated ₹11 lakh by transforming discarded chips packets into trendy sunglasses, while simultaneously creating income opportunities for marginalized communities.

The Journey from Corporate to Cause
Anish Malpani, a BBA graduate from the University of Texas, had a successful job in the United States. But a visit to Mumbai’s Deonar dumping grounds, where impoverished workers struggled to survive amid piles of plastic waste, changed his life. He returned to India with a mission: to create a business that would benefit both the environment and society.

He identified a major problem—multi-layered plastic (MLP), commonly used in snack packaging, is extremely difficult to recycle. By partnering with a PhD chemist, Anish developed a method to convert MLP into high-quality, reusable material. From this material, he now produces fashionable sunglasses under his company WITHOUT, the world’s first brand to craft eyewear from recycled chips packets.

Record-Breaking Sales
In 2022–23, Anish sold 500 pairs of sunglasses via his website at ₹500 each. Within just one week of launch, his company earned ₹11 lakh in revenue. Each pair requires around five chips packets and takes 3–4 days to produce.

Empowering Waste Pickers
Anish’s initiative goes beyond profits. Collaborating with groups like the Pune West Picker Collective, which includes many women, his company purchases empty packets at ₹6 per kilo. Around 10–40 lakh informal waste pickers across India benefit from this initiative. Furthermore, 10% of the company’s sales are donated to the education and welfare of waste pickers’ children, creating a sustainable model for social impact.

Impact and Vision
Through this innovation, Anish is not only reducing landfill waste but also empowering underprivileged communities, turning discarded plastics into a source of livelihood. His venture exemplifies how environmental responsibility and entrepreneurial creativity can go hand in hand, creating both financial success and social good.