Meet the Halifax startup that’s making compostable period products
Rashmi Prakash is a visionary with big dreams. Growing up in Wales and southern Ontario, this Indian-born engineer once imagined genetically engineering “green dragons” that could fly over the planet and convert greenhouse gases into oxygen. Her bold and optimistic mindset has led her to pursue groundbreaking ideas that challenge the status quo.
Prakash’s latest venture involves revolutionizing the menstrual product industry by taking period products out of landfills and turning them into compost. Her start-up, Aruna Revolution Health Inc., was inspired by her frustration with the environmental impact of single-use period products. Recently, on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, Prakash secured a transformative deal of $300,000 from tech entrepreneur Michele Romanow and beer entrepreneur Manjit Manhas in exchange for 25% of the company.
In an email to The Coast, Prakash expressed her excitement about the deal, calling it a “game-changer.” Together with her co-founder Lanna Last, they aim to reshape the menstrual product industry globally while reducing carbon emissions and landfill waste.
Toward a Circular Economy
Prakash and Last’s vision for Aruna Revolution Health Inc. is to produce sustainable menstrual pads that are cost-effective, comfortable, and environmentally friendly. Their goal is to provide compostable products that break period stigmas and combat climate change. By creating fully compostable menstrual pads from plant-based food waste, they are addressing the issue of plastic waste generated by traditional period products.
The environmental impact of single-use plastic pads is staggering, with billions of pads and tampons ending up in landfills each year. Prakash emphasizes the importance of having an end-of-life plan for menstrual products, which led them to explore plant-based fibers derived from food waste as a sustainable solution.
Humble Beginnings
Aruna Revolution Health Inc. was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Prakash and Last creating their first prototype pads in Last’s Vancouver apartment using makeshift equipment. Despite initial challenges, the company has grown significantly, receiving grants and awards for their innovative approach to sustainable menstrual products.
Prakash’s recent move to Waverly signifies the company’s commitment to expanding its operations on the east coast. With plans to scale up production and introduce compostable diapers in the future, Aruna Revolution Health Inc. is poised to make a significant impact in the industry.
Prakash remains focused on their core mission of ensuring access to sustainable menstrual products for all menstruators. As they continue to push boundaries and collaborate with like-minded partners, Aruna Revolution Health Inc. may pave the way for a more sustainable future in the menstrual product industry.
