Sattva Group and Knowledge Realty Trust Launch Major Waste Initiative to Clean Karnataka’s Coastline
Bengaluru, April 22, 2026: To mark Earth Day 2026, the Sattva Group has partnered with Knowledge Realty Trust (KRT REIT) and rePurpose Global to launch the “Karnataka Zero Waste Initiative.” This multi-year program aims to establish structured, community-led waste management systems across Karnataka’s 320-kilometer coastline, where plastic currently accounts for 60 percent of coastal litter, the company said in a press release.
The ambitious three-year project seeks to recover and responsibly process approximately 4.5 million kilograms of waste. By integrating 50 coastal villages and connecting over 80,000 households to formal waste management systems, the initiative aims to intercept waste at the source before it leaks into marine ecosystems. Beyond environmental cleanup, the program is designed to support 200 waste workers by providing stable livelihoods, skill development, and safer working conditions.
Shivam Agarwal, Vice President of Strategy at Sattva Group, highlighted the economic and ecological stakes involved in the project.
“Protecting Karnataka’s coastline and addressing the growing challenge of waste is essential to sustaining the environment and improving the overall quality of life. The coastline is a vital ecological and economic asset, and improving its condition has a direct impact on local livelihoods and communities. Through the Karnataka Zero Waste Initiative, we are enabling structured, community-led waste management systems that strengthen local practices while creating more secure and dignified livelihoods. With a strong focus on awareness and participation, the initiative is designed to deliver measurable improvements and contribute to a cleaner, more resilient coastline for the state,” Agarwal said.
The initiative also addresses environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks within the real estate sector.
Jiji Thomas, Head of ESG & Sustainability at Knowledge Realty Trust, noted that stewardship must extend beyond property lines. “As a responsible REIT, Knowledge Realty Trust (KRT) recognizes that environmental stewardship extends beyond our asset boundaries. Coastal waste is a material ESG risk with implications for climate resilience and long-term asset value. By supporting integrated waste systems, we are embedding sustainability into our operations and the eco systems that support them. While our implementation partner will spearhead mid-stream interception and downstream actions like clean up to control waste leakage to sea, our focus will be on creating awareness on upstream control to be exercised by urban centers to reduce land-to-sea waste burden,” Thomas explained.
The program is being executed in collaboration with rePurpose Global and the Centre for Applied Research and People’s Engagement (CARPE), ensuring that the systems remain operationally robust and research-led.
Aditya Siroya, Chief Impact Officer and Founder of rePurpose Global, added: “Addressing waste at scale requires systems that are locally embedded and operationally robust. This partnership is focused on building models that reduce environmental impact while enabling communities to participate meaningfully in the process.” By combining measurable ecological outcomes with community ownership, the partners hope to create a scalable model for a cleaner, more resilient Karnataka.
