Ashay Bhave : In a world grappling with an escalating plastic problem, Ashay Bhave, the founder of Thaely, has emerged as a beacon of innovation and sustainability. Hailing from India, this young entrepreneur embarked on a mission to combat the global plastic crisis with his groundbreaking idea.
Five years ago, at the tender age of 18, Ashay Bhave conceptualized an extraordinary solution: sneakers crafted from upcycled plastic carry bags and bottles. His vision was driven by the alarming statistics—roughly 100 billion plastic bags are used worldwide annually, consuming an estimated 12 million barrels of oil and leading to the tragic demise of 100,000 marine animals each year.
Priced at $209 per pair, Thaely sneakers are not just footwear; they are a testament to environmental consciousness and ingenuity. Each pair utilizes the equivalent of 10 plastic bags and 15 plastic bottles in their construction. The upper section boasts ‘ThaelyTex’ fabric, exclusively derived from recycled plastic bags. Even the shoe soles are fashioned from recycled rubber. To complete the circle of sustainability, the brand’s shoe boxes are crafted from recycled paper, dyed with discarded coffee grounds and infused with plantable basil seeds.
Since its inception, Thaely has made a significant impact, upcycling over 50,000 plastic carry bags and 48,000 discarded plastic bottles through its innovative sneakers. The numbers continue to rise, and the positive ecological footprint grows with each pair sold.
The journey began in 2017 when Ashay Bhave was pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. ‘Thaely,’ the brand’s name, translates to ‘plastic carry bags’ in Hindi, and it all began as a college design project. Fast forward to today, and the young entrepreneur has transformed his college concept into a thriving and sustainable business model.
While giants like Nike and Puma dominate the billion-dollar sneaker industry, Thaely is a minnow with massive aspirations. The company is setting its sights on international markets, with plans to soon offer its products in European and American retail stores.
What sets Thaely apart is its commitment to using waste materials exclusively. Bhave sources raw materials from a waste management company, where plastic bags are ingeniously transformed into ThaelyTex fabric using heat and pressure. This fabric is then meticulously cut into shoe patterns, ensuring every pair embodies the essence of sustainability. Additionally, plastic bottles find a new life as rPET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) fabric, which is employed for linings, shoelaces, packaging, and other components.
The soles of these eco-friendly sneakers are crafted from recycled rubber, sourced from industrial scrap and discarded tires that would otherwise end up in landfills. With each pair of Thaely shoes, 12 plastic bottles and 10 plastic bags are given a second chance at usefulness. These sustainable sneakers come in four distinct variants, each priced at $99 (Rs 7000).
Ashay Bhave As An Entrepreneur
As an ambitious entrepreneur, Ashay Bhave is not stopping here. He has set a goal to sell approximately 25,000 pairs of Thaely shoes by the end of the next year, which would translate to recycling over 200,000 plastic bags. While Thaely shoes proudly bear the ‘Made in India’ label, the company has its sights firmly set on foreign markets, including Dubai, Europe, the Americas, and Australia, where their eco-conscious products are anticipated to make a significant impact.
In a world where plastic pollution continues to plague our planet, Ashay Bhave and Thaely offer a refreshing and sustainable solution, proving that innovation, dedication, and environmental responsibility can indeed go hand in hand. With each step taken in Thaely sneakers, we move closer to a cleaner, greener future.
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