Business tycoon Anand Mahindra recently lauded Pradip Jadhav, a Maharashtra entrepreneur, for his innovative use of waste materials to create stylish furniture and decor through his startup, Gigantiques Decor Pvt Ltd.
Mahindra shared a video showcasing Jadhav’s work, praising the circular economy approach that transforms waste into valuable products. “Nothing new. Just a way of life in India…” Mahindra wrote on X, emphasizing how the circular economy aligns with traditional Indian practices of repurposing and recycling.
Pradip Jadhav, hailing from Dalvade village in Dhule district, pursued ITI and a diploma before venturing into entrepreneurship. Initially running a bookstore, Jadhav was inspired by a YouTube video to create furniture from recycled tires. Balancing his job and his startup, Jadhav’s unique eco-friendly furniture quickly gained popularity in cities like Pune and Mumbai. By 2019, he left his job to focus entirely on his business, which now employs 15 people and has completed over 500 orders.
Social media users reacted positively to Mahindra’s post, with many praising the initiative and calling for corporate support for such eco-friendly ventures. One user noted, “Instead of waste expenditure incurred under CSR by companies, such an initiative should be supported by corporates.” Another user highlighted the relevance of the circular economy to India’s traditional practices of ‘Jugaad,’ or creative problem-solving.
Jadhav’s story is a testament to the potential of recycle-based entrepreneurship in promoting sustainability and creating value from waste, reflecting a broader movement towards circular economies worldwide.
