Bare Necessities: Sahar Mansoor Transforming Everyday Habits With Zero-Waste

Every year, close to one million people die due to mishandled waste. Yet, global waste generation is likely to surge by 70% from 2018 to 2050, as per a World Bank report. But our aim isn’t solely highlighting these grave numbers today. We will shift our focus from mere discussion to proactive solutions.

Meet Sahar Mansoor, a green entrepreneur from India. The eco-warrior refrains from adding to overflowing landfills and curbed 540,135.21 kgs of potential waste through her venture - Bare Necessities. Sahar has been leading a zero-waste lifestyle for years now.

"I have been an environmentalist since childhood. Growing up in Bangalore, India, weekends in Cubbon Park with family were routine. My dad loved morning walks there. After losing him young, nature became a reminder," reflects Sahar.

However, it wasn't until her college years that Sahar’s environmentalism took root—a pivotal moment in 2012 planted the seed for her sustainable journey.

"I watched a video of Bea Johnson in Professor Chris Chapples’s World Religions and Ecology class. Her lifestyle blew me away. I remember dismissing it, too. 'How could she afford to shop at Whole Foods?' ‘Was she free enough to make her own products?" Sahar pondered.

However, Sahar’s curiosity ignited a newfound passion. She decided to delve deeper by pursuing environmental planning, engineering, ethics, and policy studies.

Returning to Bangalore in 2015, the “accidental entrepreneur” realized waste isn't only an environmental issue. She collaborated with waste pickers from West Bengal, and that experience was eye-opening.

“I saw social injustice issues in our waste problem! Thousands of waste pickers segregate broken glass, sanitary napkins, and needles daily with their bare hands. I wanted to stop being part of the problem,” Sahar reflected.

“When I first faced these facts, I couldn’t believe how garbage could cause so many concerns. My solution was to live a lifestyle that best reflects the values I cared about,” Sahar added.

And so, she embarked on her journey towards zero waste.

Trash-Free Living: The Rise of Zero-Waste Lifestyle

In 2015, Sahar began her zero-waste lifestyle. The transition was "quite gradual," demanding extensive research. She found inspiration in Bea and Lauren's blogs in the early stages, while her grandmother became her trusted guide. “How did my grandma wash her hair before shampoo was sold in plastic bottles,” she mused, recollecting.

Sahar also found a “perfect lab” for all her experiments - her mum’s kitchen. “It took me almost 6-8 months to create dramatic changes. I learned to make my own instead of buying when I ran out of soap. But I am still not zero waste – and I doubt I will ever be. It is good to know your boundaries,” she clarifies.

Throughout her trash-free journey, Sahar encountered alarming realities. "Approximately 4.7 billion toothbrushes find their way into landfills annually," she revealed. "These toothbrushes take an astonishing 200-700 years to decompose. So, every toothbrush you and I have ever used still lingers on our planet somewhere!" she emphasized, underscoring the issue's magnitude.

She recognized a void overlooked by companies across the world. While others were busy pursuing grand ideas, Sahar focused on the basics. Her goal was clear: to bring solutions beneficial for the planet and humanity. Determined to address the trash issue, she turned her attention to the root cause of the problem - our everyday habits.

“I wanted to create a company that mirrored zero waste values. I wanted to promote ethical consumption and sustainability and make sustainable choices easy and accessible for people looking to consume more mindfully. I wanted to encourage others to produce less waste. Thus, Bare Necessities was born,” the environmentalist summarized.

Essentially, Sahar aimed to inspire others to reduce waste, which led to the creation of Bare Necessities in 2016.

The Birth of Bare Necessities:

During research for Bare Necessities, Sahar encountered a frustrating reality: the scarcity of personal care products devoid of harmful chemicals and plastic packaging.

"I realized that we are products of urbanization and globalization, entangled in a web of convenience. We overlook our waste and attribute it as a distant global issue. We need to realize the plastics we use for mere minutes can take up to 700 years to break down. It releases harmful chemicals into our soil—the soil that nurtures our vegetables,” Sahar laments.

Sahar saw an opportunity to bridge this gap by bringing an eco-friendly solution. "The current global garbage crisis is one of the most pressing issues. It is facing present and future generations. And it is linked to the mass consumption of daily-use products," she says.

Sahar also came to appreciate the richness of Indian traditions. She was amazed to discover how seamlessly the culture aligns with eco-friendly practices, which further deepened her dedication to sustainability.

“Many Indian traditions are rooted in ecological practices, now known as ‘zero waste’ practices. As a country, a culture of sustainability is ingrained in our lifestyle. It naturally becomes part of how we lead our lives,” she says.

“Having practiced this way of living for years, we internalize sustainable practices, and they are no longer something we do for ethical gratification alone. Sustainability then becomes a matter of convenience, eventually a habit,” she adds.

Moreover, she observed a growing segment of individuals willing to make conscious choices, even if it meant paying a premium price. "We attracted customers who were willing to invest more in earth-friendly products and services. Since our start, this consumer base has expanded. Now exceeding 40,000 loyal customers," she states.

At Bare Necessities, it’s not just about selling products. It’s about encouraging an earth-friendly lifestyle. “Translating my zero-waste philosophy into products for those looking to consume more mindfully has been exhilarating. It has made Bare Necessities more than a beauty brand; it is a zero-waste personal care, home care and lifestyle brand and a hub for awareness on waste-free living!”

Bare Necessities offers a range of eco-friendly products that can be used from morning to night. "An all-women team handcrafts all our items. We have a comprehensive range of products consumers can use day and night. We make tooth powders, compostable toothbrushes, spa bars, hand-wash soaps, and moisturizers. We also offer lip balms and cutlery sets. Our offerings cater to various needs," she explains.

How does Bare Necessities maintain its high-quality yet earth-friendly values?

"We prioritize ethical and local sourcing," Sahar emphasized. "For instance, we use annatto seeds native to India in our soaps. We source coffee grounds from Kerehaklu, nestled in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Our partnership with Mason & Co. enables us to incorporate organic, single-origin chocolate into our products,” Sahar noted.

"We offer an innovative, waterless, plastic-free monthly subscription of several daily-use products. This includes dishwasher, hand wash, multi-surface cleaner soaps, etc.; it exemplifies our commitment to the circular economy," she elaborates.

"We use green ingredients to cut our environmental impact. Our plastic-free packaging promotes minimalism and ease of use. We use recyclable, reusable, or compostable materials. for packaging.

For instance, our lip balms, moisturizers, and bath salts come in reusable glass jars. While our soaps and shampoo bars come in compostable paper," Sahar continues. "Our powder-to-liquid home care products come in compostable sachets,” Sahar stresses.

"This revolutionary approach reduces energy consumption and plastic waste. This also lessens carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80-90% compared to one-time-use bottles. It is also a cost-effective and eco-conscious alternative for customers," Sahar concludes.

By expanding their offerings, Sahar aims to revolutionize the FMCG industry. She wants to “eradicate plastic” and pioneer compostable packaging, “ultimately redesigning waste out of the system.”

What measurable impact does Bare Necessities have?

Measuring impact is a work in progress, Sahar states. “We have tried to keep it in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We abide by the triple bottom line while measuring impact,” she said.

“As of 2023, we have sold 179,547 products. This effort has saved 103,096,156 plastic units going into landfills or the oceans. In 7 years of operations, Bare Necessities has diverted 540,135.21 kilograms of waste,” Sahar noted.

Sahar has received recognition from across the world for her efforts and initiative, Bare Necessities. “Harper's Bazaar Magazine recognized Bare Necessities as one of the top 5 handcrafted in India brands in 2017. Vogue Magazine also named it the Top 10 Forces of Nature in India.

We have addressed over 372,577 people through talks and workshops in the past seven years. We have sold thousands of reusable straws and bamboo toothbrushes. That means there are much fewer plastic straws and brushes in the landfill. We are committed to creating stable green jobs. Women from underserved communities handcraft our personal care products,” Sahar highlighted.

While outlining Bare Necessities' future plans, Sahar said, "As the founder of Bare Necessities, I wish for it to become a hub for zero-waste or low-impact living in India. In 10 years, I see myself spearheading a brand that has found sustainable solutions - resulting in innovative, green products.

Bare Necessities seeks to collaborate in new geographies. We want to venture into new industries providing zero-waste consultancy services.”

How can individuals or aspiring sustainable entrepreneurs learn more?

There is a dire need for education about sustainability. With rising awareness, people are seeking knowledge. However, the information is overwhelming, making individuals need help finding the right starting point.

“I helped create online sustainability courses. I also wrote a book ‘Bare Necessities - how to Live a Zero-Waste Life’ published by Penguin Random House to help encourage others to reduce their waste footprint. In the larger sense, I want to change the narrative on waste in India in any small way I can," she said.

“Our UNESCO-recognized education initiative, Bare Learning, comprises talks & workshops. We also offer sustainability consulting and online courses. The aim is to break down the concepts around sustainability into digestible pieces. We have three courses around ‘Zero Waste’, 'Sustainability’ and ‘Circular Economy’ with enrollments with over 75,000 + graduates,” Sahar informs.

Advice for aspiring sustainable entrepreneurs?

“I hope that people, especially the future generations, are inspired by my journey. They start leading a sustainable lifestyle. More aligned with personal values, both environmental and social. I need to share my lessons, learnings, findings, and failures. So that others don’t make the same mistakes that I did or still do,” the entrepreneur said.

Success didn't come quickly to Sahar either. "Being an entrepreneur is rewarding but riddled with challenges. Despite facing learning disabilities, being raised by a single mother, and lacking traditional financial support, I defied the odds. Humans are resilient," she remarked.

“Don't let others dictate your capabilities. Imagine boldly and craft your narrative. As a female entrepreneur, I leverage my values to empower women. We are women-run, bootstrapped, and thriving in 50 stores across 10 states, serving 40,000+ customers,” she proudly concludes.

“I wanted to create an enterprise that empowers women. I am very proud to say we are a completely women-run enterprise,” Sahar concludes while talking about the proudest moment of her journey.