The Sattva Group, in collaboration with Knowledge Realty Trust and rePurpose Global, has launched the Karnataka Zero Waste Initiative, a multi-year program designed to enhance waste management along Karnataka's 320-km coastline. Announced on the eve of Earth Day, this initiative aims to address the pressing issue of plastic waste, which constitutes nearly 60% of coastal litter. The program targets over 80,000 households and seeks to integrate 50 coastal villages into formal waste management systems, focusing on improving waste segregation, collection, and processing at the source. Additionally, it aims to support approximately 200 waste workers by providing stable livelihoods and safer working conditions. The initiative is expected to enable the recovery and responsible processing of about 4.5 million kg of waste, thereby reducing environmental leakage into marine ecosystems and enhancing coastal conditions. Shivam Agarwal, vice president (strategy) at Sattva Group, emphasized the initiative's dual focus on environmental protection and community livelihood creation. The program will be executed with the support of the Centre for Applied Research and People’s Engagement (CARPE), which will help in environmental restoration through data-driven approaches.