Founder Stack

In childhood, reusing plastic bags in homes was common. Instead of throwing away old things, they were given a new form. At that time, perhaps no one would have thought that this very habit would one day become the foundation of a business worth crores of rupees. Two brothers, Rahul Kumar and Vikash Kumar, residents of Nawada in Bihar, turned this thinking into a business. They did not just recycle plastic waste but tried to transform it into premium material with the help of design and engineering. Today, the products of their company, Minus Degre, have reached large corporates, airports, and prestigious institutions. But behind reaching this position are years of struggle, continuous experimentation, and the determination to never give up. The challenge of plastic waste in India is also continuously increasing. According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB)Annual Report on Implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2022–23, around 41 lakh tonnes of plastic waste is generated in the country every year. At the same time, UNEP’s (United Nations Environment Programme)Global Plastics Outlookreport states that only around 9 percent of the plastic produced worldwide is effectively recycled. In such a situation, models that transform plastic waste into high-value products are considered important for the circular economy. Rahul and Vikash spent their childhood in a middle-class family in Nawada, Bihar. Their father is a medical practitioner, while their mother is a homemaker. Along with education, the family gave both brothers the freedom to think independently and experiment. Later, Vikash studied mechanical engineering and completed his master’s degree at IIT Delhi. Rahul, meanwhile, completed his graduation in textile design from NIFT Delhi. One had an understanding of engineering, and the other had knowledge of design. This combination later became Minus Degre’s greatest strength. While studying at IIT Delhi, the two brothers began experimenting with plastic recycling. A small sampling machine was developed on the campus itself. During the experiments, they realised that discarded plastic could also be transformed into strong, attractive, and useful material. This is where the foundation for starting Minus Degre was laid. Speaking to YourStory, Rahul Kumar says, “During our childhood, we saw our grandparents reuse everything. At that time, it was not called sustainability, but it was a part of life. When we started working with plastic, we realised that the problem is not plastic but our thinking towards it. If waste is made beautiful and useful, people will understand its value instead of throwing it away.” Minus Degre was not started only to recycle plastic. The objective of the two brothers was to increase the economic value of waste. They believe that until the economic utility of waste is increased, a strong system for its collection and recycling cannot be developed. The company collects plastic waste from recyclers and wast