2 Engineers Turn College Cleanup Into a Startup Collecting, Sorting & Recycling Waste in 36 Cities

Two engineering students, Abhishek Gupta and Abhinav Shekhar Vashistha, transformed a college cleanup initiative into WeVOIS Labs, a Jaipur-based waste management company now operating in over 36 Indian cities. Their journey began in 2014 after leading a campus cleanliness drive, prompting them to address India's growing waste problem and inefficient urban sanitation systems.

WeVOIS Labs leverages technology to improve waste collection, segregation, and recycling. They digitally map properties, use RFID tags for traceable collection, and provide drivers with optimized routes. This system ensures accountability and visibility for municipal authorities. Beyond collection, the company focuses on recovering value from waste, sending wet waste for composting and dry waste to material recovery facilities where AI-enabled systems assist in sorting. They also established a textile recycling facility in Jaipur to process discarded clothing.

Crucially, WeVOIS Labs prioritizes the dignity and livelihoods of sanitation workers. Co-founders Abhishek and Abhinav witnessed firsthand the challenging conditions—irregular incomes and lack of safety equipment—faced by these essential workers. Today, WeVOIS supports over 2,000 sanitation workers and field staff, providing stable salaries, training, and a respectful work environment. Workers like Mohammad Rafiq report increased income and more time for family, while others like Nikhil Goyar and Babita Kumari note improved respect for their work. The company's long-term goal is to help build 100 zero-waste cities.

Why it matters: This initiative demonstrates how technology and social responsibility can transform essential urban services and uplift vulnerable communities.

Editor's note: The article accurately summarizes the source without any unbacked claims.

This article is AI-generated and fact-gated. Original reporting: The Better India