Sattva Group, Knowledge Realty Trust Launch Karnataka Zero Waste Initiative on Earth Day

Sattva Group, in partnership with Knowledge Realty Trust (KRT) and rePurpose Global, has launched the Karnataka Zero Waste Initiative on the occasion of Earth Day, marking a significant step toward building structured, community-led waste management systems across the state’s coastline.

The multi-year initiative is designed to address the growing challenge of plastic waste along Karnataka’s 320 km coastline, where plastic accounts for nearly 60% of coastal litter. Spanning a period of three years, the programme aims to establish locally managed, financially viable, and scalable waste management systems that deliver measurable environmental and social impact.

Under the initiative, over 80,000 households will be connected to formal waste management systems, while 50 coastal villages will be integrated into structured waste handling frameworks. This will significantly improve waste segregation, collection, and processing at the source, reducing environmental leakage into marine ecosystems.

The programme is also expected to enable the recovery and responsible processing of approximately 4.5 million kilograms of waste over the three-year period. In addition to environmental benefits, the initiative will support around 200 waste workers by providing stable livelihoods, skill development opportunities, and safer working conditions, thereby strengthening the overall waste value chain.

Commenting on the initiative, Shivam Agarwal, Vice President – Strategy at Sattva Group, highlighted the importance of protecting Karnataka’s coastline as a vital ecological and economic asset. He noted that the initiative focuses on enabling structured systems that improve environmental outcomes while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and fostering community participation.

Jiji Thomas, Head – ESG & Sustainability at Knowledge Realty Trust, emphasized that environmental stewardship extends beyond asset boundaries. She pointed out that coastal waste represents a significant ESG risk, impacting climate resilience and long-term asset value. The initiative focuses not only on downstream cleanup efforts but also on upstream awareness to reduce waste generation at the source.

The programme is being implemented in collaboration with rePurpose Global and the Centre for Applied Research and People’s Engagement (CARPE). While rePurpose Global will lead the design and execution of waste recovery systems aligned with global best practices, CARPE will contribute through data-driven approaches in solid waste management, environmental restoration, and community engagement.

Aditya Siroya, Founder and Chief Impact Officer of rePurpose Global, stated that addressing waste at scale requires locally embedded and operationally robust systems that enable communities to actively participate in the process.

The Karnataka Zero Waste Initiative reflects a broader shift toward responsible and inclusive development models. By combining measurable environmental outcomes with strong community ownership, the programme aims to create a scalable and sustainable framework that contributes to a cleaner, more resilient coastal ecosystem in Karnataka.

About Sattva Group
Headquartered in Bengaluru, Sattva Group is one of India’s leading real estate developers with over three decades of experience. The group has delivered over 80 million sq. ft. of developments and has an additional 100 million sq. ft. under planning and execution across multiple cities.

About Knowledge Realty Trust (KRT)
Knowledge Realty Trust is India’s largest and most geographically diversified office REIT, co-sponsored by Sattva Group and Blackstone. It manages a portfolio of premium Grade-A office assets across six major cities in India.

About rePurpose Global
rePurpose Global is a global packaging sustainability and compliance platform that works with companies and communities to reduce plastic waste, promote recycling, and restore environmental balance through scalable waste recovery solutions.
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