Zero-waste brands in India are still rare. Many talk about sustainability but struggle with execution. Bare Necessities is one of the few that shows clear numbers and clear impact. This is a breakdown of how they built it.
| Company | Bare Necessities |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder | Sahar Mansoor |
| Sector | Environment & Zero-Waste Innovation |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Core Problem | Everyday home products generate plastic waste and chemical pollution. |
| Primary Solution | Zero-waste, plastic-free personal care and home-care products made with natural ingredients. |
| Business Model | Sells zero-waste products through D2C, retail partnerships, and workshops. |
| Verified Highlights | • Conducted 500+ workshops on zero-waste living (Bare Necessities official) • Products stocked across retail stores and online marketplaces (The Hindu, Forbes India) • Recognized by UNDP India for sustainability work |
The Problem
Indian homes use soaps, cleaners and personal care items that come in plastic bottles. Most of these bottles end up in landfills or drains. Households want safer products and simpler packaging. They want options that do not harm soil or water.
The Founder
Sahar Mansoor grew up in Bangalore and studied environmental planning. She worked at the World Health Organization and saw how waste affects people in high-risk areas. Upon her return to India, she adopted a zero-waste lifestyle. She made her own soaps, scrubs and cleaners. Friends asked for these items. Early demand indicated interest in simple, safe products. This motivated her to launch Bare Necessities (India’s first FMCG brand to be Certified B Corp) in 2016.
The Solution
She decided the brand would create no permanent waste. This rule shaped ingredients, packaging, printing and supply choices. She sourced raw materials from local farmers. She used glass or metal containers and compostable cellulose pouches. She picked vegetable dye printing so the packets could decompose cleanly.
The Turning Point
A major shift came when the team developed waterless cleaners. One small sachet created 250 ml of cleaner at home. Shipping cost dropped. Waste dropped. The product stayed strong. This helped Bare Necessities reach more households and gave the brand a line that matched mass market pricing.
The Impact
They sold over 240,000 products by 2024 and crossed 340,000 by 2025. They prevented about 69 million units of single-use plastic from entering landfills. They diverted nearly 696 tonnes of waste. Their education programs reached more than 3,78,000 people. The company stayed women-led. Local artisans gained steady work.
The Business Model
Bare Necessities earns from:
- Direct sales through their website
- Wholesale to eco stores
- Workshops and corporate gifting
- Sustainability training for companies
The Outcome
Bare Necessities grew from one founder’s lifestyle shift into a well-known zero-waste brand. It became a Certified B Corporation in 2024.
The Market
India’s personal care market is large and growing. The natural and organic segment is expanding fast. Plastic rules are getting stricter. Young families want safer products for daily use. This gives Bare Necessities a long-term space to grow.
Food for Thought
List ten items in your bathroom and mark how many of them come in plastic packaging. That number shows the size of the opportunity in your own town.
Leave a Reply