Question

If you could be an entrepreneur, what kind of business would you start? How would you succeed?how would you overcome the people that believe you will fail?

Answer 1

There can be many perspectives based on a person's qualifications, experience, interest, competence, network, networth etc. Being an environmentalist, I would like to start business of solid waste management because :-

• Huge and perpetual potential of customers
• Ever increasing trend of waste creation would be always a surplus for inputs
• More is supply of waste, more I can charge from customers as this is a demerit good which everyone wants to get rid at any cost.
• High opportunity cost of saving environment
• Huge support from various funding agencies providing carbon ratings
• Awareness of psychological and philosophical aspect related to self sustenance is the driving force for all environment related activities from UN to country level to NGO's in today's modern deteriorating world.

Create a sustainable business venture by adding value to waste by :-

• Setting a rate of increasing block tariff for customers giving waste. That means, more waste they provide, lesser will be the cost per unit of waste. This can be differentiated on basis of weight or volume in 4-5 categories.
• Based on type of waste, viz. e-waste, hazardous chemicals, non-biodegradable, biodegradable, rates would be different.
• Liason with local government or municipality for approvals of waste management in long term.
• Create a series of plants for disposal, recycling into new products to sell and earn revenue.
• From biodegradable wastes, create biogas fuel for commercial purpose.