The CLIMAFIX Summit is India’s largest climate startup summit, organized by EAI & Energy Consortium – IIT Madras. Kern Agrawal of Carbon Loops, shares his thoughts on Waste Management at CLIMAFIX Summit 2022, Nov 22, 2022, at the IIT Madras Research Park, Chennai.
The session was moderated by Ashita Gupta, Merak Ventures
Other panel participants were:
Abhishek Gorle – EcoOrbit (Watch their presentation – here)
Elangkathir Raja – EETA6 (Watch their presentation – here)
Our specialty focus areas include 
Santosh Kumar – Li-Circle (Watch their presentation – here)
In a presentation by Kern Agrawal, founder and director of Carbon Loops, the company’s groundbreaking approach to organic waste management was unveiled. Agarwal’s discussion shed light on the evolution of waste management practices in India, particularly focusing on the success of waste segregation initiatives.
The Challenge of Organic Waste Management
Kern emphasized the significant portion of the waste comprised of organic matter, constituting approximately 30 to 40 percent of the total waste generated. Despite the challenges posed by waste segregation, kern showcased real-world examples from small towns like Kanjirangal Village in the Sivagangai District, where effective segregation practices have become the norm rather than the exception.
Traditional Methods vs. Innovative Solutions
Drawing attention to existing waste management practices, Kern highlighted the labor-intensive nature of processes at Micro Compose Centers (MCCs), where manual labor is predominantly employed for waste processing. He pointed out the inefficiencies and high operating costs associated with these methods, coupled with limited market demand for the end product, organic manure.
Introducing Anaerobic Digesters: A Game-Changer
Carbon Loop’s solution lies in the implementation of anaerobic digesters, revolutionizing the waste management landscape with a mechanical, odor-free, and fly-free process. Kern outlined the streamlined operations of these digesters, requiring minimal labor and offering significant cost savings compared to traditional methods.
Unlocking the Potential of Biogas
Beyond waste management, Carbon Loops’ anaerobic digesters produce biogas, which is converted into valuable resources such as cooking gas, electricity, and CNG fuel. Kern showcased successful implementations of biogas utilization, including the transformation of Kanjirangal Village into a self-sustaining community powered by biogas.
Scaling Impact: Replicability and Expansion
Highlighting the scalability of their model, Kern shared Carbon Loops’ success in replicating their solution across 14 locations in Tamil Nadu. With a keen eye on the market opportunity, Agarwal expressed aspirations to expand their footprint nationwide, aiming to collaborate with partners in funding and incubation to accelerate their impact.
Kern Agarwal’s presentation offered a glimpse into Carbon Loops’ transformative approach to organic waste management. By combining innovation, sustainability, and community engagement, Carbon Loops is poised to lead the way in addressing one of India’s most pressing environmental challenges. As they continue to forge partnerships and expand their reach, the vision of a cleaner, greener future grows ever closer to reality.
