“It all started when I lost my dad eight years ago to cancer.”
Sarala Maharjan starts narrating the story of Sakal Bio Enzyme Nepal at the final of Climate Champion Competition to a full house Eden Amphitheatre at Sanepa, Lalitpur.
A panel of three judges – Padmakshi Rana, PhD, the Executive Director and Co-founder of Impact Hub Kathmandu; Dipesh Pote Shrestha, Senior Investment Analyst at Team Ventures; and, Neelima Vallangi, a prominent voice to the critical field of climate change journalism – were seated at a corner of the open-air venue on Wednesday, November 13.
“In the same year, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour and was given only two years for my survival,” Maharjan, the founder of the startup, continues. “I began my research on the possibilities of my survival.”
Over the years, Maharjan has not only proven her doctors wrong but found out the harmful effects of chemical cleaners on both people and the environment.
“Ninety-five percent of household cleaners contribute to six billion gallons of toxins in waterways every year and release 1.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere,” Maharjan said during her presentation.
Sakal Bio Enzyme Nepal was one of the seven finalists in the competition pitching their innovative solutions to address pressing climate challenges.
Read: Agri Direct Global Declared the Most Innovative, Scalable and Impactful Startup
Solid waste management affects every person in the world. By 2050, the world is expected to increase waste generation by 70 percent, from 2.01 billion tonnes of waste in 2016 to 3.40 billion tonnes of waste annually, says the World Bank Report titled “What A Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050”.
Based on the volume of waste generated, its composition, and how it is managed, it is estimated that 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent greenhouse gas emissions were generated from solid waste treatment and disposal in 2016, driven primarily by open dumping and disposal in landfills without landfill gas capture systems, the report says, which was about 5 percent of global emissions. “Solid waste–related emissions are anticipated to increase to 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent per year by 2050 if no improvements are made in the sector,” according to the report.
Read: Startup Discovery Asia Gears Up to Host Climate Champion Competition Final
Read: 'Economic Growth and Sustainability Need Not be a Binary Choice'
Determined to make a difference, Maharjan founded Sakal Bio Enzyme Nepal, a women-led initiative that turns organic waste into eco-friendly cleaning products. She named the company after her father, Sakal, which represents inclusiveness.
“Our bio enzyme-based products are prepared from the fermentation of organic waste,” said Maharjan, claiming them to be eco-friendly, lab-tested and free from harsh chemicals.
Speaking with NBA, Maharjan informed that she first learned about bio enzymes two years ago and have been producing ever since. “When my team and I decided to focus on environmental solutions, we chose to build on the work I had already begun,” she said.
The team includes the co-founders Sujata Shrestha and Dr. Namita Maharjan, and a five-member staff for production.
“We ferment organic waste through a process similar to how alcohol is made,” said Maharjan. “We allow the waste to ferment for about three months, during which microorganisms break it down, producing beneficial bio enzymes.”
Their products, according to the founders, are free of harsh chemicals, made through a purely natural process.
Read: Sustainable Finance Department Launched at NBA
Read: Green Finance Taxonomy 2024: The Push for Green Finance Ecosystem
By harnessing the power of bio enzymes, the company has been addressing both environmental and health concerns by reducing reliance on harmful chemicals in household products. Its products include surface cleaner, floor cleaner, dish wash and hand wash.
While a bottle of 500 ml of its surface cleaner and floor cleaner are priced at Rs 300 each, the 250 ml of its hand wash costs Rs 350 and the 300 ml of dish wash Rs 300.
The startup plans to expand its line to include shampoo, body wash, and toilet cleaner within two months.
The company has so far sold more than 3,782 bottles of its products, reduced 1,641 kg of organic waste, contributing significantly in the reduction of greenhouse gas emission.
The startup covers both B2B and B2C segments for their revenue.
In the next five years, the startup aims to widen its reach to 20 percent of the Nepali market for household cleaners which is worth $52.48 million, according to Maharjan. In the process, it aims to reach 5 million households and businesses, divert 500,000 tonnes of organic waste from landfills contributing to the reduction of carbon dioxide emission by 1 million pounds.
Sakal Bio Enzyme Nepal boasts 1,061 customers, around 453 of them being the regular one. While most of the customers have given positive feedback, some have suggested improvements to its colour and odour, the founders told NBA. “We are committed to making adjustments for greater customer satisfaction,” they say.
Sakal Bio Enzyme Nepal was declared the “Most Impactful” idea in the Climate Champion Competition organised by the Startup Discovery Asia . Besides the cash prize of Rs 50,000, it also gained access to investor networks, exposure, and mentorship opportunities.
Apart from the motivational story which all the finalists had, Padmakshi Rana, one of the judges, said that Sakal was chosen as the most impactful business for the need it has seen and felt. “Your heart is in the business,” Rana said. “And when that is there, everything will fall into place.”
This is, however, not the first time this startup has been recognised for its innovation. Sakal was one of the winners in Coca-Cola SAKSHAM 2.0, a mentorship programme for young women entrepreneurs, and first runner up in the TBC Startup Fest last year.
Despite the recognition in a relatively short period, the young entrepreneurs say they have a slew of challenges ahead.
Read: Startup Discovery Asia Paves the Way to Find Nepal’s Climate Champions
“We have limited expertise and resources for research and development,” said Maharjan. “Authentic lab tests for bio enzymes aren’t available in Nepal.”
Market percent is another challenge, she adds, “Since the widely used chemical cleaners are cheaper, people often ask us to lower our prices. But, with more funding, we might be able to lower that.”
Regarding business expansion, the founders told NBA that they have been considering the pros and cons of bringing in investors, but are mainly looking to collaborate with the government.
