Aroma Harvest: From Blooms to Treasures

Team: Lavanya Manivannan

Goal: The goal of this project is to create a sustainable solution for repurposing floral waste from shops and individuals into valuable products such as perfumes, scented candles, incense sticks, and organic dyes. By collecting flowers that are no longer fresh and would typically be discarded, the project aims to reduce waste while simultaneously creating high-quality, eco-friendly aromatic products.

Target Group:
Floral Retailers: By partnering with floral shops and retailers, the project can collect unsold or discarded flowers that are no longer suitable for sale. This provides retailers with an environmentally friendly way to dispose of floral waste while contributing to a meaningful cause.
Individuals: Individuals who have leftover flowers from events, celebrations, or simply flowers that have wilted can participate by donating them to the project. This engagement fosters community involvement and promotes sustainable practices at the individual level.
Artisans and Craftsmen: The project provides opportunities for artisans and craftsmen involved in perfume making, candle making, incense stick production, and organic dyeing to access high-quality raw materials for their products. This creates a sustainable supply chain for these industries and promotes the utilization of natural resources in a responsible manner.

Relevance:
Environmental Impact: Floral waste is a significant contributor to organic waste in landfills, leading to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. By repurposing discarded flowers into valuable products, the project helps reduce the environmental footprint associated with floral waste disposal.
Sustainability: Utilizing floral waste for product manufacturing promotes sustainable practices by reducing the demand for virgin raw materials. This contributes to the conservation of natural resources and encourages a circular economy model where waste is transformed into valuable resources.

Economic Opportunities: The project creates economic opportunities for small-scale artisans and craftsmen involved in perfume making, candle making, incense stick production, and organic dyeing. By providing them with access to raw materials, the project supports local economies and fosters entrepreneurship within the community.
Community Engagement: By involving floral retailers, individuals, artisans, and craftsmen, the project fosters community engagement and collaboration towards a common environmental goal. This builds a sense of ownership and responsibility within the community towards sustainable waste management practices.

Faculty: Business and Economics