Two Young Entrepreneurs Build A Waste Management Startup To Help India Become Trash-Free by 2030; Dinesh Karthik Joins As Brand Ambassador

In India, where waste disposal remains a massive challenge, two young entrepreneurs from Dombivli, Thane, Maharashtra, are on a mission to transform the scrap industry.

Meet Shreyas Jalapur and Henik Gala, the co-founders of Scrapji, a tech-enabled waste management startup that aims to help make India trash-free by 2030.

Their journey is a testament to innovation, persistence, and an unwavering commitment to sustainable waste management.

With Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik joining their mission as a brand ambassador and equity partner, Scrapji is not just another startup—it’s a movement towards a cleaner and greener future.

THE IDEA:

The story of Scrapji began more than a decade ago when Shreyas Jalapur and Henik Gala met in 2010 as schoolmates.

Their friendship, which was built on mutual interests in technology, sports, and innovation, remained strong even after they pursued different career paths.

Shreyas, a graduate in automobile engineering, had a knack for problem-solving and innovation. Henik, on the other hand, took the business management route and later worked in his family’s restaurant business.

Despite their different fields, their entrepreneurial spirit kept bringing them back to the idea of starting something impactful together.

“The problem of unorganized waste management in India was something that both of us had observed for years,” says Shreyas Jalapur, the co-founder & CEO of Scrapji, during an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia.

They noticed that despite the country generating over 62 million tonnes of waste annually, 80-90% of household waste remained unsegregated and untreated.

Inspired by the Swachh Bharat Mission, they decided to tackle this challenge head-on.

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THE INITIAL JOURNEY:

While the idea of Scrapji had been in Henik’s mind since 2018, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that the duo seriously considered it.

During the lockdown, they witnessed an alarming increase in household waste, with no proper disposal mechanism in place. This reinforced their belief that the scrap industry needed a modern, structured, and transparent approach.

In 2021, they took the first step by conducting extensive market research. Unlike many startups that begin with funding and infrastructure, Scrapji’s founders started from scratch—literally.

With no external funding and support, they purchased a weighing scale and went door-to-door collecting scrap, speaking directly to households and businesses to understand market rates, customer pain points, and pricing mechanisms.

A major challenge they faced early on was storage. With no warehouse or official office, Henik’s family home became their first storage unit. His family members also actively helped in segregating waste, reflecting how deeply personal this mission was for them.

After two years of groundwork, in June 2023, they officially registered Scrapji as a private limited company and hired their first pickup executive.

“Our goal was clear: to build an organised and efficient waste management startup that provides convenience, transparency, and fair pricing to the customers,” shares Henik Gala, the co-founder & COO of Scrapji, with Startup Pedia.

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THE KEY CHALLENGES:

Starting a scrap management startup in a highly unorganized industry came with its share of hurdles.

Some of the biggest challenges they faced included:-

> Market Perception – Many people did not take them seriously because they were educated young men working in the scrap industry. Some even questioned why they chose this path instead of corporate jobs.

> Price Fluctuations – Scrap prices fluctuate frequently, making it difficult to predict revenues and manage operations.

> Logistics – Without proper storage facilities and transportation, managing large volumes of waste efficiently was a struggle.

> Building Trust – Many households, especially women, were hesitant to engage with and trust newcomers like them.

Despite these hurdles, their persistence paid off.

Within the first month of operations, Scrapji completed 70 waste pick-ups and generated ₹20,000 in revenue. Every rupee earned was reinvested into growing the business and finding its rightful space within the larger Indian startup ecosystem.

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HOW DINESH KARTHIK CAME ON BOARD AS THE GAME-CHANGER:

A game-changing moment for Scrapji came in December 2023, when Henik met Indian cricketing superstar Dinesh Karthik during a cricket match.

Henik, a certified umpire for the Mumbai Cricket Association, seized the opportunity to introduce Karthik to Scrapji’s mission.

Determined to get his attention, Henik persistently followed up through emails and messages.

After several discussions, Karthik was impressed by their vision and agreed to come on board as Scrapji’s brand ambassador.

But this wasn’t just a marketing move—Karthik also took an equity stake in Scrapji and committed to supporting the startup’s growth over the next many years.

“For us, Mr. Dinesh Karthik’s involvement has been more than just a celebrity endorsement. Our partnership with him has provided us encouragement, credibility, exposure, and trust—key factors in scaling Scrapji,” shares Shreyas Jalapur.

SCRAPJI’S PRESENT & FUTURE:

Unlike traditional scrap dealers, Scrapji offers an organized, transparent, and technology-driven approach to waste collection.

Here’s what sets it apart:-

> Easy Scheduling: Customers can book waste pick-ups via WhatsApp, the website, or a phone call.

> Fair and Transparent Pricing: Scrapji uses government-approved digital weighing scales to ensure accurate and fair pricing mechanisms.

> Instant Payment: Customers receive on-the-spot payment via UPI, bank transfer, or cash.

> Secure Disposal: Scrapji also shreds sensitive documents before recycling, ensuring data security.

> Wide Range of Recyclable Materials: The startup accepts fabric, metals, paper, plastic, e-waste, glass, and even old vehicles.

“One of the key differentiators is the fact that 90% of our customers are women, who feel more comfortable dealing with an organized and professional waste collection service like ours rather than unverified local scrap dealers,” Henik proudly explains.

Since launching in June 2023, Scrapji has served 1,300+ customers and completed over 2,000 waste pick-ups.

In FY 2023-24, they generated a revenue of ₹11 lakh, and they have set an ambitious target of ₹24 lakh for FY 2024-25.

Their expansion plans include:-

> Scaling across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) – Scrapji aims to cover a larger geographical area.

> Launching a Mobile App – A dedicated app will enhance the customer experience by making scheduling and payments even more seamless.

> Marketing and Brand Awareness – With Dinesh Karthik’s backing, they plan to invest more in digital marketing, social media campaigns, and awareness programs to increase customer engagement.

> Raising Funds for Expansion – Scrapji aims to raise external funding to achieve a ₹1 crore revenue milestone by FY 2025-26.

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THE ROAD TO A TRASH-FREE INDIA:

With India’s waste management industry projected to reach $18.4 billion by 2030, startups like Scrapji play a crucial role in bridging the gap between waste generation and sustainable disposal.

“We believe that 80-90% of all household waste can be recycled if handled properly. Our vision is to create a circular economy in India where waste is not just discarded but recycled and then repurposed into something valuable,” shares Shreyas.

Scrapji’s journey—from two friends collecting waste with a weighing scale to partnering with a cricketing icon—is a testament to their determination.

They are not just changing the way scrap is collected; they are changing mindsets, making recycling convenient, and paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Scrapji, with its passion, innovation, and persistence, is ready to transform India’s waste management landscape and help achieve a completely trash-free India by 2030—one pick-up at a time.