EcoLife Stores

Mission: The EcoLife Store aims to provide environmentally friendly products to communities in order to improve the health and sanitation of current living standards while reducing carbon emissions. Through education and marketing efforts, EcoLife products can replace kerosene, three stone fires, and other harmful items used for everyday needs, in order to better the lives of the people.

Vision: Rural Indian villages lack access to a secure 24-hour energy supply. Many rural people do not have the means to buy electric water filtration systems and remain unaware of the negative impacts of smoke inhalation and chemical pesticides. Eco-friendly products that remedy these problems are currently provided through non-profit agencies or sold directly by distributors. Rather than endorsing any specific product, the concept of EcoLife is that local people, especially the poor, should have a choice in deciding which products are right for them. The store is also a centre, where customers can learn about the threat of global warming and ways to reduce their households carbon footprint. We offer a selection of low-cost solar lights, smokeless stoves, and other items with the aim of expanding our product range in the future.

The EcoLife Store was officially launched as a project of the Auroville Village Action Group in the Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu, India at the end of November 2009, and has sold over $4000 worth of products each month to customers, some of which subside on less than $2 a day. Unlike competitors, we focus on a wide array of environmental problems that plague village development and will provide more products complete with education and after-sales as solutions. Currently, EcoLife operates as a retail outlet that is partnered with a Microfinance Institution, which acts as the franchise owner. The strength of such an organization is for the opportunity to implement social change providing alternatives to traditional, harmful methods that afflict so many of Indias poorest. As a retailer, we harness Indias best eco-friendly innovations under one roof, demanding the best quality and durable products for long usage under harsh conditions. According to the International Energy Agency, approximately 404.5 million people have limited access to electricity, which reduces water sanitation, health, agriculture, education, economic activity, thus perpetuating poverty. If EcoLife products are adopted on a mass scale, the environmental (total carbon reduction) and social benefits (increased economic productivity for EcoLife Indian distributors and rural economies, health, education, etc) are enormous.

The poor need access to products that will provide them with a better standard of living and the Indian middle-class and wealthy markets seek eco-friendly products because they understand its value. Because of the vast opportunity in scale, we are willing to invest and take investments with the end goal of franchising throughout all of India like an eco-Wal-mart. Therefore, EcoLife Stores has the potential to dramatically lower the footprint of an emerging economy that is on its way to becoming one of the larger Greenhouse Gas emitters. In doing so, EcoLife is reaching the Triple Bottom Line: People, Planet, Profit.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• poverty
• energy
• solar
• India
• Tamil Nadu
• water filter
• environment
• retail
• women

[anxiousape]

Your plan highlights poverty, illiteracy, and your passion in changing the world with your Eco-store venture. To be 100% eco-friendly AND be profitable does not require one to be mother Teresa-like.

[tarheel1785]

@anxiousape Of course. Many businesses can simply be environmental and make profit. We don't doubt that. Our mission however is to meet the triple bottom line: people, profit, and planet. In fact, the millions of poor people in India are a VAST untapped market that want ACCESS to these products, but the closest city is hours away. We want to make these resources available to them in the most sustainable way possible.

[anxiousape]

Where are your numbers? I understand this is only a proposal. As an eco-startup the only numbers you provide are your target audience of 404.5 million people living under $2. Your plan is to produce a range of millions of products like smoke-free stoves and electric water filters. As-seen-on-TV type gadgets. You plan to introduce a credit facility to less than $2 day people. Very good. How much eco-waste do 404.5 people produce now? How much damage will be avoided?

[tarheel1785]

@anxiousape Thank you for your challenging questions. I would argue however, do not be so quick to judge until you have all the information.

1. First we target the population in the Villupuram district. This has about 90,000 people. 404.5 simply demonstrates the potential to scale.

2. Products are specifically designed by Indias best for bottom-of-pyramid consumers. Water filters are non-electric.

3. Customers can receive 5 rs for returning products that become ecowaste (esp CFL bulbs)

[kpatel7448]

@anxiousape Please excuse me for hopping in. I find your comments idiotic Mr. whoever you are. You need to read carefully, don't get hung up on 404 million for the near future and you need to stop arguing vacuously. Can you recall something like "That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind" and think in terms of that?

[mayurv2]

This is a terrific endeavor. It is great to see such devoted organizations that realize the enterprise-minded spirit of those who would seemingly be isolated from the traditional business model. Cheers to the hard work of your group and the many great accomplishments that are in store for EcoLife!

[srimati52]

@anxiousape "Crawl up" like they are some kind of worms? Have you ever lived in poor countries? Your writing is derogatory when you write hand-to-mouth style. They are people for gods sake! When I see the woman holding the light at night with a smile, I see a hope there for her future. Shame on you and thanks for the people here who care to do business with the poor.

[elisechevalier]

You guys are doing amazing work!

[anxiousape]

PS: my long comment is to be read down to top : )

[kpatel7448]

I hope that this idea spreads and more such ECOLIFE stores open up.