[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”6421″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]While it\u2019s not possible to instantly repair the damage humans have done to the environment, there are simple efforts that we individually can start making to heal nature. Such is the story of 25-year-old Niyati Shah from Mumbai, who\u2019s the founder of \u2018Grow Bags.\u2019<\/p>\n
During a conversation with IWB, Niyati remembers her 18-year-old self who was thrilled to be an eco-warrior in thefuture. \u201cI was always into gardening. As a child, I spent a lot of time taking care of my garden and nurturing the plants.However, as a gardening enthusiast, I didn\u2019t know how to make a career out of it, until a few years back when some of my plants died because of the inadequate care and increasing pollution,\u201d recalls Niyati.<\/p>\n
The determination was such that she left her well-paying job in the corporate world and invested her savings to begin a unique project called \u2018Grow Bags\u2019 instead \u2013 an initiative to replace plastic pots with eco-friendly ones.<\/p>\n
Niyati explains, \u201cPlastic usage worries me. From our kitchen racks to parking lots, we see plastic everywhere. A majority of us use plastic pots to grow plants; particularly those living in the urban cities who want to turn their terrace and balcony into gardens. To bring them a more environmental-friendly gardening solution, I came up with the idea of Grow Bags that are made of recycled plastic instead of virgin plastic.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”6427″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]To make Grow Bags, this eco-warrior collected used PET bottles and took them to the plastic crushing units. These plastic film sheets were then put in the pot-maker to produce a pot that felt like a cloth material. Talking about its benefits, she shares, \u201cThe porous Grow Bags allow water and air to pass through easily, making air pruning a reality. Unlike in a plastic pot, the extra water that you might have poured in it gets enough space to move out. Also, the adequate amount of air required for photosynthesis is let in easily. Besides, these bags are also capable of absorbing sunlight in an efficient manner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although the project is just six-month-old, Niyati has been able to create a niche market for these special plant pots. \u201cAll that is needed is a conversation with people who aren\u2019t aware of this product. Once they know how beneficial Grow Bags are for their plants and our environment, they immediately place an order. On an average, I sell around 150 bags a month across Mumbai. Though I\u2019m thrilled to collaborate with people across India,\u201d she shares.<\/p>\n
And just in case you\u2019re thinking these bags are expensive, hold your horses. Niyati answers, \u201cThe bags are pocket-friendly and cost nearly as much as a regular plastic pot. I call it an investment not only because they\u2019re strong enough to tolerate any Indian weather, but also as they have the strength to last more than five years. Isn\u2019t that awesome?\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”6431″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Apart from her conscious efforts to save the environment, what we further appreciate is Niyati\u2019s empowering programme for women. Behind Grow Bags, there is an all-women team that handles the procurement, production and retailing of the products. The founder was very particular about giving employment only to women so she could help build confidence in them. \u201cMost women, especially the uneducated ones, are looked down upon by their families. When I see the contentment in the hearts of the women who work with me, I feel so proud of Grow Bags,\u201d recounts Niyati.<\/p>\n
She signed off by revealing a little about the company\u2019s future, \u201cWe\u2019re trying to receive some support from the local government to help us promote the initiative so we can reach the masses. Profits don\u2019t concern me at the moment, I am glad we are currently self-funded and are able to sustain ourselves entirely. For me, victory will occur when all of us will learn to stop using plastic (at least) in the gardens.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”6433″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”6421″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]While it\u2019s not possible to instantly repair the damage humans have done […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6418","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-media"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nivisagrowbags.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/womenblog.png?fit=300%2C100&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nivisagrowbags.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nivisagrowbags.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nivisagrowbags.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nivisagrowbags.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nivisagrowbags.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6418"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/nivisagrowbags.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6418\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6732,"href":"https:\/\/nivisagrowbags.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6418\/revisions\/6732"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nivisagrowbags.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nivisagrowbags.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nivisagrowbags.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nivisagrowbags.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}