GreenSole Foundation

Green Sole Foundation was started in 2016 with a focus on recycling and upcycling footwear and apparel. We create usable kits and products from discarded materials and distribute them to people who need them. Over the last 10 years, we have gradually expanded our operations and impact, and today our initiatives have reached more than one million beneficiaries.

Key milestones and initiatives

Our vision for the next decade is to expand our grassroots presence and increase the scale of our impact.

Some of our key goals include:

• Establishing more skill development centres
• Expanding our grassroots initiatives
• Reaching approximately two million beneficiaries
• Increasing the scale of recycling and upcycling
• Exploring international initiatives
• Building partnerships with international funders and organizations

Long-term movement 

We have been working consistently since 2015–16 and have gradually built the foundation and its initiatives over time. Our confidence has grown with each passing year as we have seen the potential of our work and its impact on communities. After completing 10 years, we believe there is a long journey ahead. Sustainability is still a relatively new concept in India, which means there is enormous potential to expand awareness, recycling, and responsible consumption. Our motivation continues to grow because we see a meaningful and worthwhile opportunity to create long-term change.

Inspiration

The inspiration came from a clear disconnect: billions of shoes are manufactured and eventually discarded, while millions of people still lack access to basic footwear. My co-founder, Ramesh, and I recognized an opportunity to address both problems simultaneously—reducing footwear waste while helping people who need footwear.