Without by Anish Kishore Malpani: Building a Conscious Circular Economy Brand

Rajshree Upadhyaya |  Business Remedies | In a country grappling with an ever-growing plastic waste crisis, Without emerged as a quiet but powerful counterforce driven by intent rather than spectacle. The company was founded in 2020 by Anish Kishore Malpani under its parent entity, Ashaya Waste Recyclers Private Limited, with its early work rooted in Pune, Maharashtra. What set Anish apart was not just his desire to build a consumer brand but his determination to address one of India’s most ignored environmental challenges: multi-layered plastic waste that cannot be recycled through conventional means.

Anish’s journey into sustainability was shaped by academic exposure and a growing awareness of how flexible packaging waste quietly overwhelms landfills and informal dumping grounds. Chips packets, snack wrappers and sachets dominate urban waste streams yet offer no economic value to recyclers. Without was born from the belief that value could be engineered where none seemed possible. The company focused on developing its own recycling process to convert this low-value waste into a durable and versatile raw material, laying the foundation for a brand that would speak to conscious consumers without sacrificing aesthetics or usability.

At the heart of Without’s identity lies its flagship offering of sustainable eyewear, including recycled sunglasses and eyeglasses crafted entirely from processed multi-layered plastic waste. These products are not symbolic eco-merchandise but fully functional, durable lifestyle accessories designed to compete with mainstream eyewear brands. Each frame represents discarded plastic diverted from landfills and waterways, transformed through material science into something stylish and long-lasting. Over time, the company expanded into eco-friendly lifestyle accessories such as coasters and keychains, demonstrating the versatility of its recycled polymer and its ambition to go beyond a single product category.

The brand’s visibility expanded significantly when Without appeared on Shark Tank India Season 3. Anish entered the tank seeking capital to strengthen recycling infrastructure and advance material innovation rather than merely chasing rapid sales growth. His pitch stood out for its clarity of purpose and the depth of its environmental narrative, prompting extensive discussions around valuation, scalability, and long-term impact. The conversation ultimately led to a deal with Peyush Bansal and Ronnie Screwvala, who jointly invested Rs. 75 lakh for a 3 percent equity stake, signaling strong belief in the idea and the founder behind it.

What truly distinguishes Without is how deeply its impact philosophy is woven into its operations. The company built its supply chain around the inclusion of waste pickers, offering better earning opportunities and greater stability compared to traditional informal recycling systems. By sourcing multi-layered plastic directly from these networks, Without ensured that its sustainability promise extended beyond materials to people. Every product created carries a human story alongside its environmental one, reinforcing the belief that ethical businesses must address both ecological and social gaps.

Beyond products and investment milestones, Without represents a broader shift in how Indian startups are beginning to view waste not as an afterthought but as a starting point for innovation. The brand’s approach demonstrates how design, science, and responsibility can intersect to create items that consumers are proud to use while also participating in a larger environmental narrative. In transforming unrecyclable plastic into everyday eyewear and lifestyle products, Anish Kishore Malpani has positioned Without as a compelling example of how purpose-led entrepreneurship can redefine what modern consumer brands stand for in India.