Integrating sustainability into business practices is increasingly being acknowledged as both a corporate responsibility and a profitable venture. Asia, home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, is witnessing a surge in sustainable projects. The sustainable projects in Asia are reaping profits while also playing an essential role in elevating communities from poverty.

Selco Solar

One shining example of sustainable projects in Asia is the rise of startups like Selco Solar, also known as SELCO, in India. Founded in 1995 by Dr. Harish Hande and Neville Williams and based out of Bangalore, Karnataka, SELCO India’s initiatives have had a significant impact on improving the living standards of poor households in rural India, particularly in Karnataka, through solar energy-based interventions. They have been instrumental in empowering lives and fostering entrepreneurship among rural communities across India.

In 2008, SELCO undertook its first urban initiative focused on a slum of over 400 households in Manipal, Karnataka. Although the slum-dwellers were employed and had earned income, their illegal settlement could not access the conventional electricity grid. SELCO’s intervention facilitated electricity access for these households.

Not only that, through various special projects, SELCO India has been able to provide solar energy solutions to schools, hospitals and individual entrepreneurs, aiding in education, health care and livelihood generation in rural areas.

They have installed solar light systems in 350,000 houses, enabling children to study after sunset and reducing health hazards from traditional kerosene lamps. By decentralizing the energy supply, SELCO empowers local entrepreneurs and creates job opportunities.

YAVA Bali

YAVA, or East Bali, is an agribusiness combining profit and social impact. Established in 2012 by Aaron Fishman in the village of Desa Ban, YAVA has empowered local farmers by directly sourcing cashews, bypassing middlemen.

Agriculture is a crucial sector in Indonesia, providing livelihoods for millions. However, many farmers live in poverty due to a lack of access to markets and fair prices for their produce. By eliminating middlemen, YAVA helps to ensure that more of the profits from cashew sales go directly to the farmers.

By integrating eco-friendly practices, they have optimized water usage and reduced waste, leading to a more sustainable agricultural model. The result? YAVA created over 300 jobs, enhancing the socio-economic fabric of the community.

ReForm Plastic

One of the most notable sustainable projects in Asia is the ReForm Plastic social enterprise. They are focused on reducing plastic waste by collecting and recycling low-value plastics, which are then transformed into usable products. They operate in Vietnam and seek to address the challenges posed by plastic waste in a scalable and inclusive manner, ultimately contributing to a circular economy.

The idea for ReForm Plastic began in 2016 during community beach clean-ups initiated by Evergreen Labs. The enterprise moved towards actualization over the following years, with its first full-size facility in Hoi An, Vietnam, receiving permits in early 2020. Currently, ReForm Plastic has six factories processing more than 140,000 kg of low-value plastics and 90,000 kg of plastic waste.

ReForm Plastic fosters economic opportunities by building city-wide collection programs and integrating informal waste collectors into their value chain, which provides stable employment and increased income from collection activities. This addresses plastic waste issues while also transforming the lives of local collectors through direct employment and better income streams​.

Asia’s sustainable projects are a testament to the fact that businesses can thrive when purpose is aligned with profit. With a continued focus on sustainability and community upliftment, the future of the Asian entrepreneurial landscape looks promisingly green.

– Laeticia Mbangue
Photo: Flickr