Bengaluru, April 21: On the occasion of Earth Day, Sattva Group, in partnership with Knowledge Realty Trust and rePurpose Global, has announced the launch of the Karnataka Zero Waste Initiative, a multi-year programme focused on building structured, community led waste management systems across the state’s coastline. At Sattva Group and Knowledge Realty Trust (KRT REIT), growth is approached with the understanding that it must remain aligned with the environment and communities. As organizations engaged in building and managing high quality, sustainable environments for modern India, there is a clear recognition that environmental health and community wellbeing are fundamental to meaningful progress. The Karnataka Zero Waste Initiative extends this approach by enabling systems that improve ecological outcomes while strengthening local livelihoods.
Spanning three years, the initiative addresses the growing challenge of plastic waste along Karnataka’s 320 Km coastline, where plastic accounts for 60 percent coastal litter. The programme is designed to put in place waste management systems that are locally run, financially viable, and capable of delivering consistent and measurable results.
The initiative will connect over 80,000 households to formal waste management systems and integrate 50 coastal villages into formal waste management systems, improving waste handling at the source. It will support 200 waste workers through stable livelihoods, skill development, and safer working conditions, helping build a more secure and dignified waste value chain. In parallel, it is expected to enable the recovery and responsible processing of approximately 4.5 million kilograms of waste, improving coastal conditions and reducing environmental leakage into marine ecosystems.
Commenting on the initiative, Shivam Agarwal, Vice President, Strategy, Sattva Group, said:
“Protecting Karnataka’s coastline and addressing the growing challenge of waste is essential to sustaining the environment and improving the overall quality of life. The coastline is a vital ecological and economic asset, and improving its condition has a direct impact on local livelihoods and communities. Through the Karnataka Zero Waste Initiative, we are enabling structured, community-led waste management systems that strengthen local practices while creating more secure and dignified livelihoods. With a strong focus on awareness and participation, the initiative is designed to deliver measurable improvements and contribute to a cleaner, more resilient coastline for the state.”
A strong focus on awareness and everyday behavior change is central to the programme, encouraging communities to adopt more sustainable habits and take greater ownership at the local level. Better segregation, collection, and processing systems will also help move towards a more circular approach to material use, reducing dependence on landfills.
Jiji Thomas, Head – ESG & Sustainability, Knowledge Realty Trust said,
“As a responsible REIT, Knowledge Realty Trust (KRT) recognizes that environmental stewardship extends beyond our asset boundaries. Coastal waste is a material ESG risk with implications for climate resilience and long-term asset value. By supporting integrated waste systems, we are embedding sustainability into our operations and the eco systems that support them. While our implementation partner will spearhead mid-stream interception and downstream actions like clean up to control waste leakage to sea, our focus will be on creating awareness on upstream control to be exercised by urban centers to reduce land-to-sea waste burden”
The Karnataka Zero Waste initiative is being implemented in collaboration with rePurpose Global, a leading packaging sustainability and compliance platform, and the Centre for Applied Research and People’s Engagement (CARPE), the designated non-profit recipient of programme funds. While rePurpose Global brings expertise in designing and executing waste recovery systems aligned with global best practices and will lead on-ground implementation, CARPE, a social enterprise, contributes deep capabilities across solid waste management, green cover enhancement, and water body restoration through data-driven and research-led methodologies. Knowledge Realty Trust further strengthens the programme through its focus on governance, transparency, and stewardship, ensuring a structured, accountable, and scalable approach to impact.
Aditya Siroya, Chief Impact Officer and Founder, rePurpose Global added,
“Addressing waste at scale requires systems that are locally embedded and operationally robust. This partnership is focused on building models that reduce environmental impact while enabling communities to participate meaningfully in the process.”
The Karnataka Zero Waste Initiative reflects a broader shift towards development approaches that are more responsible and inclusive. By combining measurable outcomes with community ownership, the programme aims to create a model that can be sustained and expanded over time, contributing to a cleaner and more resilient Karnataka.
