In a world where fast fashion has made it normal to discard things quickly, most of us don’t stop to think of the impact on the environment. But Shriyans Bhandari, a young social entrepreneur from Udaipur, is doing things differently. Through his venture, Greensole, he’s giving old, discarded shoes a second life for the underprivileged section of society.

It’s a simple idea with a powerful impact, one that blends sustainability with compassion and purpose.

Greensole: The Story of Recycled Hope

The idea to create a company like Greensole didn’t come from a fancy meeting or a research lab; it came from the running track. Shriyans Bhandari, who is an avid long-distance runner, kept noticing how quickly his sports shoes wore out.

Every few months, another pair would be tossed aside, not because they were completely ruined, but because the soles had thinned out. It felt wasteful. That’s when a simple question popped into his mind: Could these still be useful to someone who didn’t have any shoes at all?

With this idea in mind, he teamed up with Ramesh Dhami, who shared his interest and experience, and the two started figuring out how to take apart old shoes, clean them up, fix them, and turn them into something wearable again.

By 2013, what started as a basic idea had grown into a real mission, and Greensole was born.

A Big Step Towards the Circular Economy

Greensole stands out because it follows a simple but powerful idea: use what we already have instead of throwing it away. This is a clear alignment with circular economy principles: reducing waste, reusing materials, and creating a regenerative loop.

Old shoes that would normally end up in landfills are collected from people, companies, and donation drives. These shoes are then cleaned, repaired, and rebuilt using basic tools and minimal energy. Once ready, they’re given to those who need them the most, especially children in remote villages and tribal areas, that too free of cost.

So far, the team has distributed over 500,000 pairs across India. But it’s not just about shoes. For many kids, having a proper pair of footwear means they can finally walk to school safely and comfortably. It’s a small change that can make a big difference in their daily lives and in their future.

Where Livelihood Meets Sustainability

While shoes remain at the heart of Greensole’s work, the vision goes beyond just giving footwear. The team also trains underprivileged youth and women in basic shoe-making and repair, helping them build skills and earn a living. It’s a way to create jobs while staying true to the mission of sustainability.

Greensole also partners with companies through CSR initiatives, where employees donate their old shoes and take part in the cause, making it not just about giving, but about getting involved.

To support their donation efforts, Greensole has also started making and selling upcycled products like eco-friendly slippers and accessories. This mix of non-profit work and commercial activity helps keep the model running while staying focused on impact.

Quietly Making a Difference

Even with recognition from Forbes, the United Nations, and several global platforms, Shriyans Bhandari has stayed out of the usual startup spotlight. He doesn’t chase rapid growth or flashy headlines. Instead, his focus has always been on real, measurable impact, how each rupee spent can improve lives, build partnerships, and stay true to the cause.

There are no big valuations or investor buzz around Greensole. But that’s not the goal. What Bhandari offers is a different kind of success story, one rooted in purpose, built slowly and thoughtfully, where helping people and protecting the planet come before profits and scale.

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