A young Kashmiri engineer is turning waste into wealth

Srinagar, Aug 21: In south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, the sight of uncollected household waste, plastic litter, and polythene bags once dominated streets and drains. For many residents, it was a daily inconvenience they had grown used to.

But for Muhammad Aamir Khan, a 30-year-old engineer from Agroo Devsar, it was unacceptable.

“I remember one cold winter morning standing beside a roadside heap of garbage. Plastic, food waste, polythene bags – it disturbed me deeply,” he recalls. “I could see how it was harming our environment, and I knew something had to be done.”

That moment became a defining one for Aamir. While others walked past the piles of waste, he decided not to. From this concern grew a vision that would eventually transform how thousands of households manage waste, while creating livelihoods and building a sustainable business model.

After earning an engineering degree from Bangalore in 2017, Aamir initially pursued the civil services, like many ambitious young Indians. Narrowly missing the UPSC Civil Services Examination did not discourage him. “I realised that while exams are important, real change could happen in my own backyard,” he says. Back home in Kulgam, he observed uncollected waste, clogged drains, and plastic litter everywhere. Driven by a desire to make a tangible difference, he began studying global waste management models, composting techniques, and decentralised approaches, seeking solutions that could work locally.

In 2022, scrolling through social media, Aamir came across the Clinton Global Initiative University fellowship, which encouraged grassroots sustainable solutions. He submitted a proposal for a decentralised, community-driven waste management system in South Kashmir. His proposal was selected, and over the next nine months, he underwent intensive training — three months in the United States and six months under online mentorship.

“The fellowship was transformative,” Aamir says. “I learned leadership, implementation strategies, and how to scale grassroots innovations. It gave me the confidence to bring my vision to life.”

By 2023, Aamir was ready to act. On a small plot of land he owned in Zahipora, Kulgam, he established his first composting unit. The idea was straightforward but revolutionary: convert biodegradable household waste into organic fertiliser for local farmers. He named the initiative  Green Wave, under his company Waste to Wealth Sustainability Pvt Ltd.

“We demonstrated our model to the Rural Development Department of Jammu and Kashmir,” Aamir explains. “They saw how waste could be processed locally, efficiently, and in a community-friendly way.”

The results were promising. Farmers gained access to affordable, high-quality fertiliser, and households were motivated to segregate biodegradable waste. With government support, the project expanded to cover 2,500 households across four blocks in Kulgam, and later to Anantnag and Bijbehara, reaching another 1,500 households.

Recognising the potential of digital technology, Aamir launched the Waste to Wealth e-commerce platform (wastetowealth.co) in 2024. The platform allowed residents to upload images of their plastic and aluminium waste, which his team then collected from homes and recycled into industrial-grade granules for use in pipes, furniture, and other products. “People could see the value of waste and earn from it,” Aamir says. “It created a new mindset – waste is not a burden, it’s a resource.” The platform also connected industrial buyers with households, creating a local ecosystem that was economically sustainable while promoting environmental responsibility.

Polythene waste, long considered non-recyclable, presented another challenge. Aamir and his team developed a process to convert polythene into thread, which could then be woven into eco-friendly bags and chadars using traditional Kashmiri handlooms. “This initiative links sustainability with local handicrafts,” he explains. Artisans were trained to create beautiful products from waste, generating both employment and environmental solutions. The products were first showcased during the Amarnath Yatra, attracting attention for their vibrant design and eco-conscious message, and gradually entered local markets.

The economic and social impact of Aamir’s work has been substantial. The initiatives directly employ over 25 skilled and unskilled workers, while indirectly supporting thousands of households engaged in waste segregation. Revenue has grown from Rs 50 lakh last year to Rs 80 lakh this year, stemming from compost sales, plastic recycling, and handloom products. Residents are experiencing tangible benefits.

Aamir’s work has also garnered international attention. In January 2024, he received a personal letter from former U.S. President Bill Clinton, recognising his mentorship of CGI U students and his efforts in community-driven sustainability. “Receiving that letter was a reminder that even small initiatives can have a big impact,” Aamir says.

Looking ahead, Aamir plans to expand operations to more districts, develop a mobile app for waste tracking, and continue scaling the model. “My goal is to build a zero-waste ecosystem in Kashmir that is profitable, sustainable, and inclusive,” he says. His story demonstrates how entrepreneurship can drive social and environmental change by addressing local challenges with innovative solutions.

“We have received research grants from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, facilitated through iHub Awadh, IIT Ropar, which is acting as our incubation partners. These grants will support our ongoing projects and help us scale innovative solutions while benefiting from the technical guidance and mentorship provided by the incubation programme.”

Aamir’s journey offers several lessons for aspiring social entrepreneurs. He shows the importance of identifying everyday problems, leveraging global knowledge, combining economic incentives with social good, and creatively using traditional skills to add value. “We’ve shown that it’s possible,” he says. “The goal now is to reach more people, create livelihoods, and make sustainability a part of everyday life in Kashmir.”

By turning what was once considered waste into wealth, Aamir Khan has not only provided a model for sustainable living but has also inspired a generation of young entrepreneurs to see opportunity where others see only problems. In Kulgam, trash is no longer just garbage; it has become a source of pride, income, and hope for the future.