With $1.9M Funding and a New Demo Plant, the ‘Without’ Founder Is Turning India’s Toughest Waste into Global Climate Solutions

In a year brimming with breakthroughs for India’s climate innovation landscape, Pune-based entrepreneur Anish Malpani has emerged as a shining example of how local ingenuity can solve global problems. Founder of the sustainability startup Without, Malpani has secured $1.9 million in funding, inaugurated a 10,000 sq ft demonstration recycling plant in Pune’s MIDC area, and been named among the Emerging Climate Leaders Fellows for 2026 by Yale University.

For someone who once stood beside a foul-smelling landfill, trying to make sense of India’s waste crisis, the journey has been nothing short of transformative.

From Waste to Wonder: The Genesis of ‘Without’

Malpani’s turning point came a few years ago, when the sight of a mountain of discarded waste made him question not just the system—but what could be built from its broken pieces. His company, Without, has since become a pioneer in transforming the most challenging waste materials—multi-layered plastics (MLP) and mixed textile scraps—into durable, high-quality products.

His first success story, the world’s first sunglasses made from discarded chip packets, went viral in 2023. The limited-edition eyewear sold out within days, symbolizing what Malpani calls “a proof of concept for what circular design can achieve when it meets science.”

“We decided to build technology that could handle the worst of the worst,” Malpani says. “Most recycling technologies focus on good-quality waste. But the real challenge—and opportunity—lies in recycling what the world has given up on.”

A $1.9 Million Boost and a Scalable Vision

The month of October has been a landmark in his entrepreneurial journey. His company recently raised $1.9 million in funding, and opened a 10,000 sq ft demonstration plant—a first-of-its-kind facility that recycles materials previously deemed unrecyclable.

“This is not a new formulation or process—it’s a new system, an innovative infrastructure,” says Malpani. The plant currently processes 200 kilograms of plastic waste per day, up from just 5–10 kilograms at the micro-pilot stage. If all goes well, a full-scale commercial plant capable of handling 3 to 10 tonnes per day will be operational next year.

The demonstration facility, he explains, is a precursor—a testing ground for refining technology before scaling it industrially. “It’s proof that homegrown tech can compete globally, and that India can lead in waste-to-value innovation,” Malpani adds.

Driving India’s Circular Economy Forward

Beyond the tech, the message is clear: India’s FMCG and manufacturing sectors must adopt circular design. The new plant serves as a wake-up call for brands to integrate recycled materials into their production cycles, closing the loop between consumption and waste.

Without’s recycled compounds are already being developed for eyewear, home care bottles, signage boards, and fashion accessories like buttons. Among its proudest achievements is the world’s first shampoo bottle made entirely from discarded sachets.

Malpani envisions his company evolving into a B2B materials enabler, supplying sustainable raw materials directly to brands. “We want to be the Intel Inside of circular materials,” he says with a smile. “We’ll empower brands to build sustainability into their products—without compromise.”

Complex Waste, Complex Realities

While his work has earned him global recognition, Malpani remains deeply aware of the social complexity of India’s waste ecosystem. An estimated 62 million tonnes of waste are generated annually in India, much of it untreated. Behind those numbers stand 4–5 million informal waste workers whose livelihoods depend on what others discard.

“We often say the poor collect waste, but in truth, waste collects the poor,” he reflects. “Migrants come to cities hoping for work. When nothing else is available, waste work becomes the last resort. Plastic waste, for instance, contributes to nearly half of their income.”

For him, innovation cannot exist in isolation. “The technology has to work for the people who’ve long been part of this broken system. Our solutions must create both environmental and social impact.”

Yale Fellowship: A Global Stage for Indian Innovation

Malpani’s selection as a Yale Emerging Climate Leader Fellow for 2026 cements his place among the next generation of global sustainability changemakers. The fellowship brings together young leaders from around the world to exchange ideas, build networks, and co-create solutions for pressing climate challenges.

“It’s humbling,” he admits. “You feel a bit intimidated, but also hopeful. Because when you’re solving big problems, you can’t do it alone. You need a global community that learns and grows together.”

At Yale, Malpani hopes to explore the intersection of waste, poverty, and innovation—questions that don’t have easy answers. “Plastic is both the villain and the breadwinner. Reconciling that contradiction is at the heart of our work,” he says.

The Bigger Picture: India’s Role in Global Climate Innovation

Malpani’s story mirrors a broader shift happening across India’s climate tech ecosystem. From solar innovation in Rajasthan to water tech in Bengaluru, homegrown climate innovation is rapidly gaining momentum.

What makes Malpani’s journey remarkable is how he’s managed to merge deep scientific research, circular economy principles, and human empathy into a single narrative. His company’s ability to turn waste into value challenges the long-held notion that sustainability must come at a cost.

The $1.9 million funding, demo plant launch, and international recognition are not just milestones—they are signals that India’s grassroots innovation can set global benchmarks in climate technology.

Scaling Hope and Impact

As Without prepares to scale up operations, the focus remains on building partnerships—with FMCG giants, designers, and policymakers—to ensure that circularity moves from the margins to the mainstream.

By next year, if all goes according to plan, Malpani’s commercial facility will be processing tonnes of waste daily—turning what was once destined for landfills into materials that power new industries.

But for Malpani, the bigger victory lies in changing perceptions. “Waste isn’t an end,” he says. “It’s a beginning. The beginning of something more responsible, more circular, and more hopeful.”

The Rise of Homegrown Climate Innovation

From the stench of landfills to the halls of Yale, Anish Malpani’s journey encapsulates what homegrown climate innovation can truly mean for the future of India—and the planet.

His story is one of persistence, purpose, and partnership—proof that sustainable change begins when vision meets courage. With innovators like Malpani leading the way, India isn’t just participating in the climate movement; it’s redefining it.

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