In 2017, Professor Saji Varghese of Bengaluru noticed a significant amount of coconut leaves being burnt annually on his campus, which not only wasted natural resources but also caused environmental pollution.
Inspired by this observation and the biography of agricultural innovator George Washington Carver, Varghese envisioned creating an eco-friendly product that could provide sustainable livelihoods and reduce plastic waste. After years of research, he founded Sunbird Straws, which manufactures the world’s first multi-layered premium drinking straws made entirely from dried coconut leaves.
These straws are completely biodegradable, chemical-free, antifungal, and remain sturdy in both hot and cold drinks for up to four hours, distinguishing them from soggy paper straws and polluting plastic alternatives.
Empowering Rural Communities through Sustainable Enterprise
Sunbird Straws is not just an environmental innovation but also a social enterprise. The company employs over 100 rural women across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, providing them with steady jobs and empowering them financially. Each coconut leaf can yield about 200 straws, which are handcrafted using a patented steaming and rolling process in hygienic conditions.
These women earn between Rs 280 to 300 daily, contributing to the economic upliftment of marginalized communities. As of 2025, Sunbird Straws has expanded operations with multiple production centres in Southern India and plans to empower 500+ women by the end of the year, showcasing a strong commitment to social equity alongside environmental responsibility.
Sunbird Straws follows an innovative hub-and-spoke production model that minimises waste and maximises efficiency. Dry fallen coconut leaves are collected from rural farms across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Women in rural pre-production units clean and cut the leaves, removing midribs before sending the processed leaves to central production hubs. Here, the leaves undergo spiral and long rolling machine processes, followed by UV sterilisation, quality checks, and packaging in Bengaluru.
Advanced patented in-house machines enable rapid production, one straw every 1.5 seconds, significantly reducing labour fatigue and boosting output. This system creates year-round income opportunities for over 100 women and supports a sustainable circular economy while ensuring strict hygiene and chemical-free manufacturing.
Tackling Plastic Pollution and Climate Change
The environmental impact of Sunbird Straws is significant. By repurposing fallen coconut leaves that would otherwise be burnt, releasing harmful carbon dioxide and particulate matter, the company reduces greenhouse gas emissions and counters plastic pollution, especially the threat posed to oceans and aquatic life by single-use plastics.
To date, the startup has replaced over 20 lakh plastic straws, prevented the release of 451 kg of CO2 emissions, and distributed straws across more than 10 countries. The company, incubated at IIM Bangalore and supported by the Shine India social entrepreneurship programme, is poised for global expansion and diversifying into other coconut leaf-based eco-products, including pens, scrubbers, and pouches.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Sunbird Straws embodies the transformative power of grassroots innovation that harmonises environmental stewardship with social empowerment. Professor Varghese’s journey underscores the importance of observing local challenges and creatively harnessing traditional knowledge to produce scalable solutions that protect the planet while uplifting vulnerable communities.
The Logical Indian applauds such initiatives that foster coexistence, empathy, and sustainable progress, encouraging discourse on replicating this inclusive model across other sectors.
