Ekam Eco Solutions Pvt. Ltd., founded in 2013, is a research spin-off of IIT Delhi’s works on Sanitation. Over five thousand man-hours of research on sanitation forms the backbone of this organization. In an exclusive e-chat, Uttam Banerjee, Co-Founder & CEO of the company explains their Vision, Mission, Objectives, Strategies, and Action Plans (VMOSA) to P. K. Chatterjee (PK). Excerpts…
How did the idea of setting up a company for building humane and hygienic sanitation systems come to your mind?
I have a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and a Post Graduation in Product Design. I grew up in a very small town called Bokaro Steel City in Jharkhand. The village where my father was born – was about an hour away from Bokaro Steel City. It was like a ritual for us to spend our summer vacations and Diwali (Kaali Pujo) in the village. The place was full of greenery, and our mud house had a beautiful small river nearby. This river was our lifeline – used for bathing, daily chores, and even defecation since we didn’t have toilets at home. As a child, I enjoyed the simplicity of life there and never questioned it. But I never realized how difficult this must have been, especially for the women in our family.
As I grew older, my education and career took me beyond Bokaro, and I began traveling extensively to places like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. This exposure gave me a new perspective on the differences in how people live, the challenges they face, and the alarming condition of rivers and water bodies across the country. These experiences opened my eyes to the larger issues surrounding water and sanitation.
In 2008, while I was working with a research group at IIT Delhi, I started learning about the science of sanitation – about urine, feces, and sewage. We worked on interesting concepts like waterless urinals and dry toilets, but at that point, they remained ideas. I graduated and took up a corporate job, but these experiences planted seeds in my mind about sanitation and its connection to larger issues.
In 2010, after almost 10 years, I planned a visit to my village. By then, I was married and wanted to take my wife, Nivedita, along. She had grown up in Allahabad city and never experienced staying in a village, so I was excited to show her the beauty and charm of my childhood home. Her first question caught me off guard: “Do you have a toilet at home?” When I said no, she refused to go. It hit me then how I had overlooked the dignity and safety concerns that open defecation poses, especially for women. When I visited my village alone, I was heartbroken to see that the beautiful river I remembered had turned into a polluted drain. This was a wake-up call for me – I couldn’t ignore the impact of poor sanitation anymore.
While traveling frequently for work to cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi, I noticed a similar pattern. Almost every river or lake I came across was heavily polluted, lifeless, or dying. The contrast between the river in my village and the state of water bodies in metro cities was striking and unsettling. It became clear to me that this wasn’t just an isolated issue but a reflection of a larger crisis across the country.
One particular incident left a lasting impact. During a visit to Mayur Vihar in Delhi, I witnessed women taking a holy dip in the Yamuna River during Chhath Puja, an important festival in Bihar. The river was frothing with filth and smelled of sewage. Watching women stand in that polluted water for a sacred ritual was heartbreaking. That image stayed with me and strengthened my resolve to address this issue with urgency.
By 2013, the result of these experiences – the realities of my village, the state of rivers in cities, and the memories of my childhood – pushed me to quit my corporate job and pursue something meaningful.
‘Zerodor Waterless Urinal’ was my first step toward addressing these challenges. The idea was to recover urine and feces in a pure form to prevent soil and water pollution and transform waste into useful fertilizers. The concept revolved around eliminating the need for flushing, which wastes water and dilutes resources. Over time, this evolved into a commercially viable product for men and women.
As I ventured deeper into the sanitation space, I learned that chemical cleaners, used not only in households but also in organizations and commercial establishments, were contaminating sewage and making it harder to treat. This insight led us to develop natural cleaners and sustainable sewage management solutions, expanding our focus beyond waterless urinals.
Looking back, I can connect the dots. My childhood experiences, travels, and exposure to sanitation issues have all shaped my journey. Each step brought me closer to the realization that water conservation, sanitation, and sustainability are deeply interconnected. This understanding became the foundation of my entrepreneurial journey. Today, through Ekam Eco Solutions, I am committed to improving lives while addressing the broader challenges of water and environmental sustainability.
How do sustainability and business profitability go together without compromising one of those?
Through my journey, I’ve realized that sustainability is not just a moral responsibility or a trend—it’s a lens through which businesses can rethink growth itself. Sustainability and profitability are not just two goals running parallel—they’re deeply interconnected when approached with the right mindset.
A business that prioritizes sustainability isn’t just solving environmental problems; it’s building resilience. For instance, consider how sustainability creates a ripple effect: saving water or energy today reduces immediate costs, but it also safeguards resources for the future, ensuring the business can thrive in an unpredictable world.
It’s about seeing opportunities where others see problems. For instance, waste isn’t just waste; it’s a resource waiting to be tapped. Water isn’t just a utility; it’s life in liquid form, something far more valuable than the cost it’s given.
This perspective has helped us create solutions that save resources and make businesses more efficient and resilient. The magic happens when sustainability stops being a box to tick and becomes a mindset – a way to innovate, connect with people, and build something that lasts. It’s not about compromise; it’s about realizing that what’s good for the planet can also be great for business, and often, even better for the future.
How do you correlate your company’s name with your product line?
The name ‘Ekam’ holds a profound meaning for us – it is derived from Sanskrit and signifies interconnectedness or oneness. We believe that everything in this world is interconnected – health, hygiene, environment, sanitation, and water are all parts of the same system. When one is neglected, others are inevitably affected. This philosophy is deeply embedded in everything we do. Our product line, whether it’s ‘Zerodor Waterless Urinals’, natural cleaners, or sustainable sewage management solutions, reflects this belief in interconnectedness.
For instance, when we save water through Zerodor, it’s not just about conserving a resource – it’s about protecting ecosystems, supporting communities, and ensuring the availability of water for future generations. Similarly, our natural cleaners reduce chemical contamination in wastewater, showing how one simple switch can impact the health of rivers, soil, and ultimately, all of us.
Ekam reminds us that every action we take, no matter how small, is connected to a larger whole. Our products are designed not just to solve individual problems but to create ripple effects that benefit the environment, businesses, and society as a unified system. It’s a name that inspires us to think holistically and work toward a sustainable future where everything is truly connected.
Which are your most innovative products at this time?
At Ekam Eco Solutions, our commitment to sustainability and innovation has led to the development of several groundbreaking products. For example:
Zerodor Waterless Urinals: Our flagship product, Zerodor, is a patented technology that transforms traditional urinals into waterless systems using a mechanical, non-consumable system that can be retrofitted to existing urinals. The technology not only eliminates the need for flushing but also controls the odour in the urinal thereby providing a dry, odour-free and hygienic washroom experience. By eliminating the need for flushing, each urinal saves up to 150,000 liters of water annually. This not only conserves a vital resource but also reduces maintenance costs and enhances restroom hygiene.
CARE Natural Cleaning Solutions: Our CARE line offers eco-friendly cleaning products made from natural ingredients. These non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners are GreenPro Certified, ensuring they are environmentally friendly throughout their lifecycle. They provide effective cleaning while minimizing chemical exposure, promoting a healthier environment for both users and the planet.
Nutrizorb Sewage Treatment Solutions: We provide innovative waste management solutions for Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and septic tanks. Our products facilitate the efficient breakdown of waste, improving the effectiveness of sewage treatment processes and reducing environmental impact. The technology not only helps manage the sewage more efficiently but also recovers about 50-60% of the water that in turn can be reused for flushing or gardening. Our solution is portable, scalable, flexible, and takes less space than a conventional treatment setup.
These products exemplify our dedication to creating sustainable, practical solutions that address pressing environmental challenges. By integrating advanced technology with ecological responsibility, we aim to foster a harmonious relationship between human activities and the natural world.
How is the concept being taken up by the Indian corporate sector?
The Indian corporate sector is increasingly adopting the Zerodor Waterless Urinal technology, recognizing its significant benefits in water conservation and operational efficiency. By 2023, over 700 corporate clients across India and Africa had implemented Zerodor’s solutions, highlighting its growing acceptance and impact.
One big milestone was stepping into the field of railway coach design. We started working with Indian Railways to integrate sustainable solutions like ‘Zerodor Waterless Urinals’ into their trains. The idea that Zerodor could soon be part of every train and coach fills me with hope and pride. This is a step towards saving water on a large scale and promoting sustainability in public transport.
This shift is driven by the technology’s ability to save up to 150,000 liters of water per urinal annually, aligning with corporate sustainability goals and reducing operational costs.
Additionally, the system’s design, which eliminates the need for chemicals or cartridges, offers a cost-effective and maintenance-friendly solution.
The Indian corporate sector’s uptake of Zerodor Waterless Urinals reflects a growing commitment to sustainability and resource efficiency, with businesses actively seeking innovative solutions that offer both environmental and economic advantages.
What are you doing for the residential sector?
While our primary focus has been on large-scale water conservation and sanitation solutions for institutional and corporate spaces, we have started making an impact in the residential sector through our cleaning solutions. Currently, our ‘CARE Natural Cleaning Solutions’ are being used by over 30,000 families across multiple Indian cities.
These eco-friendly cleaners are specifically designed to address the needs of households while promoting sustainability. They are free from harmful chemicals, biodegradable, and safe for the environment, making them an excellent alternative to conventional chemical cleaners. Families using our products have shared positive feedback, highlighting the benefits of safer, non-toxic cleaning for their homes, children, and pets.
By introducing sustainable products to households, we aim to build awareness about the importance of small, everyday choices in creating a larger environmental impact. Our cleaning range helps reduce the contamination of water bodies by minimizing the harmful chemical runoff that typically results from regular cleaning products.
We see this as the beginning of a larger movement to bring sustainable practices into every home, helping families contribute to environmental conservation in meaningful ways.
Are you taking up any initiative to bring awareness on sustainability among the masses in general?
At Ekam Eco Solutions, we believe that creating awareness is as important as providing solutions. Sustainability is a mindset where we are committed to inspiring individuals, businesses, and communities to embrace it.
We actively engage in initiatives to spread awareness about water conservation, sustainable sanitation, and eco-friendly living. Through workshops, community outreach programs, and collaborations with schools, colleges, and organizations, we aim to educate people about the interconnectedness of health, hygiene, the environment, and water.
One of our key efforts is storytelling. We create videos, social media content, and engaging campaigns to explain complex topics in a simple and relatable way. By using real-life examples and breaking down technical ideas, we make the concept of sustainability accessible to everyone, from urban professionals to school children.
Additionally, we collaborate with institutions and governments to conduct demonstrations and pilot projects, showcasing how small changes – like using waterless urinals or natural cleaners – can make a big impact. By highlighting measurable outcomes, we show people how their actions contribute to the larger goal of conserving resources and protecting the planet.
We believe that true change begins when individuals understand the importance of their role in sustainability. Our initiatives spark that understanding and inspire collective action for a greener, more sustainable future.
What are your suggestions to the new Indian entrepreneurs regarding the selection of business lines and the development of products?
For new Indian entrepreneurs, choosing the right business line and developing impactful products require a clear focus on solving real problems and understanding the market’s needs. The foundation of any successful venture lies in identifying gaps and inefficiencies in existing solutions. Think about areas where you can genuinely make a difference, such as sustainability, healthcare, education, or technology – sectors that offer immense growth potential while creating meaningful impact. Your journey should start by asking yourself why you want to pursue a particular idea. A strong sense of purpose will not only guide your decisions but also resonate with your customers, building trust and connection.
When developing products, focus on practicality, usability, and scalability. It’s important to innovate, but innovation must solve real pain points in ways that are easy to adopt and afford. Engage directly with your target audience, understand their challenges, and involve them in the development process. Products created with user input are more likely to succeed because they directly address their needs. Additionally, think long-term – design your product and business model to scale without major reinvention, ensuring sustainable growth.
In today’s world, sustainability is no longer just an option – it’s a responsibility. By incorporating sustainability into your business from the start, you not only align with global trends and future regulations but also attract conscious consumers who value environmentally responsible practices. However, even with a solid plan, remember that the market often teaches you lessons you didn’t anticipate. Be open to feedback, willing to adapt, and ready to pivot when necessary.
Finally, entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. You will encounter setbacks, face rejection, and endure challenges, but resilience and a focus on progress over perfection will see you through. By choosing a business line aligned with your passion, creating products that solve real problems, and embracing sustainability and adaptability, you can build a venture that is not only successful but also makes a lasting impact.
