Imagine starting your day with an aromatic and foamy coffee in a takeaway cup. Now, what if I told you that the cup is actually made out of that same coffee residue? Unbelievable? Not really!

This is just one of the many innovative solutions changing the way we think about waste. In India, two young entrepreneurs are leading this transformation with their venture — ‘ The Mend Packaging’. In 2020, they founded The Mend Packaging, a bootstrapped company pioneering biodegradable and sustainable packaging solutions.

By innovating with materials like mushrooms, banana peels, tomatoes, and coffee waste, The Mend Packaging is not just replacing traditional plastic but redefining how businesses approach sustainability.

The birth of The Mend Packaging

Rhea Kothari and Rishika Reddy’s journey into sustainable packaging was driven by a mix of curiosity and concern. “During the lockdown, with everyone relying on deliveries, we noticed a surge in packaging waste. Huge, non-eco-friendly boxes were being used even for small items, creating mountains of trash,” recalls Rhea.

Studying global sustainability trends, she recognised India’s dire need for alternatives to single-use plastic. Partnering with Rishika, who shared a similar vision, the duo embarked on a mission to introduce materials that could break down naturally without harming the environment.

Starting from scratch, they spent months researching and experimenting with eco-friendly materials. “Since my family has been involved in the printing industry, we’ve had conversations about the packaging industry and what has been missing in the field,” shares Rishika.