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375. First Movers in ‘Second Life’ Start-Ups
Srinidhi Kashyap, Vishal Mehta, Darshan Virupaksh with Jenny Pinto
Speakers
When it comes to climate change and the environment, they are part of the problem and part of the solution – Plastics and Lithium-ion.
We cannot ignore the role these materials play in today’s world. They have revolutionized many industries even while they have been the cause of negative ecological and social impacts. Mainly because their end-of-life management remains a significant global challenge. Is it possible to bring them into the circular economy in positive and equitable ways?
This discussion is with three innovative companies that not just think so, they also walk the talk. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
Presented by:
In this episode of BIC Talks, Srinidhi Kashyap, Vishal Mehta and Darshan Virupaksh will be in conversation with Jenny Pinto. This is an excerpt from a conversation that took place in the BIC premises in Jun 2025.
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Speakers
Srinidhi Kashyap
Launched in 2015, Plastics For Change, set out to create a world where plastic waste is optimized as a resource and create a supply chain that was socially just through fair market access. PfC today, connects waste collectors to global brands to create dignified livelihoods through trust and transparency.
As the Chief Operating Officer at Plastics For Change, Srinidhi plays a vital role in managing day-to-day operations, optimizing supply chain logistics, and aligning cross-functional teams to deliver measurable social and environmental outcomes. Under Srinidhi’s leadership, Plastics For Change significantly expanded its operational footprint across India, integrating over 2000 waste collectors into a fair trade-verified supply network to now having collected
Vishal Mehta
Vishal Mehta’s commitment to addressing two of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges – deforestation and plastic waste, come together in unWOOD, a material made from hard-to-recycle plastics in its formulation, transforming them into a material that replaces wood in furniture.
As CEO, Vishal leads the unWOODs strategic direction, ensuring that durable, high-quality unWOOD products are accessible to customers everywhere. Vishal brings 17 years of experience with national and international organizations on large-scale projects, including those in renewable energy, to unWOOD.
Darshan Virupaksh
Darshan Virupaksh, an electronics engineer, is the co-founder of Nunam, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the way batteries are designed, manufactured and utilized throughout their entire value chain. They collect old EV and laptop batteries from e-waste dealers and distributes their repurposed energy storage systems to street vendors and small shopkeepers, with a mission to drive positive change in the lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicle space for a circular and sustainable economy.
Jenny Pinto
Jenny Pinto is a Bangalore based designer and filmmaker whose interests covers sustainability, design and the connectedness of all life on the Planet.
