Founded by Delhi-based entrepreneurs Sanchit Goyal and Anuj Sagar, The Bamboo Bae is a sustainable startup dedicated to producing eco-friendly everyday items, such as toothbrushes, razors, and combs, all handcrafted from bamboo. Since its inception in 2020, the company has gained significant traction, generating ₹70 lakh in revenue within its first year of operations.
A Vision for Sustainability
Sanchit and Anuj met at Delhi University while studying hotel management. During their studies, Sanchit became increasingly aware of the plastic waste generated in the hospitality industry, particularly through single-use items like toothbrushes and plastic amenities. He remarked, “Every hotel using plastic items contributes significantly to plastic pollution,” reflecting their shared concern for the environment.
Their love for travel further deepened their awareness of the pervasive plastic littering natural landscapes. “We saw nature wrapped in plastic—from mountains to beaches, plastic was everywhere,” Sanchit recalls. This realization sparked a passion in the duo to explore sustainable alternatives to everyday plastic products.
The Birth of The Bamboo Bae
Inspired by their travels through Assam and Shillong, where they discovered a flourishing handicraft industry, Sanchit and Anuj founded The Bamboo Bae with a mission to replace single-use plastics with sustainable bamboo alternatives. Their product range includes bamboo toothbrushes, razors, earbuds, and stationery, all handcrafted by a team of 20 skilled artisans.
Starting with an investment of ₹3 lakh, the bootstrapped startup has successfully positioned itself in the market by supplying products not only to individual consumers but also to major hotel chains, thus promoting sustainability on a larger scale.
Why Bamboo?
Bamboo was chosen for its accessibility and versatility. “We found that bamboo is a very adaptable material,” Anuj explains. They collaborated with local artisans, learning the processes required to treat bamboo to ensure it is antibacterial and antifungal. Through rigorous research and experimentation, they discovered that proper drying of bamboo is crucial to prevent bending and distortion in the final products. “Maintaining moisture levels below 10% is essential for product durability,” Sanchit notes.
Bamboo is an abundant resource in Northeast India, reaching heights of up to 30 feet in just three years. This rapid growth, combined with the existing skilled labor in the region, allows The Bamboo Bae to create high-quality products while providing stable employment for local artisans.
Empowering Communities
In addition to collaborating with bamboo artisans, The Bamboo Bae actively engages with women artisans from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Kolkata, who create the cotton bags used for packaging their products. By providing raw materials and training, the company empowers these women, allowing them to earn a sustainable income. Anita, a seamstress from Jamnagar, shares her experience: “I wasn’t employed before this. They taught me how to make the bags, and now I make around 300 to 400 pouches a day, earning ₹15,000 per month.”
Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Horizons
Despite its success, The Bamboo Bae faces challenges due to the limitations of bamboo as a raw material. To diversify their product range, the company has also incorporated coconut shells sourced from South India, which are transformed into creative items such as eco-friendly candles made from soy wax. “We wanted to create sustainable alternatives to conventional wax products,” Sanchit explains.
In a competitive market, The Bamboo Bae strives to keep its pricing accessible. Their products are priced competitively, with bamboo toothbrushes at ₹89, combs at ₹129, razors at ₹299, and mobile holders at ₹399. The duo aims to expand their catalog further, with upcoming products like bamboo lunch boxes.
A Call for Change
Sanchit and Anuj understand that the transition to sustainable living is gradual. “Change is slow and steady. The idea of adopting sustainability doesn’t happen overnight. It begins with a single product, and over time, our lifestyles can shift to positively impact the environment,” Sanchit states. With their commitment to creating eco-friendly products and empowering communities, The Bamboo Bae is paving the way for a greener future.
As the startup continues to grow, Sanchit and Anuj remain dedicated to their mission of reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainability. Together, they believe that even small changes can lead to significant impacts, inspiring consumers to make eco-conscious choices in their daily lives.
If you would like to purchase their products, click here.
References
The Bamboo Bae – Team, Company Overview and Product Range.
The Better India
