Senthil Sankar, a VIT graduate, turned down a high-paying job abroad to start something meaningful in his hometown, Karur, Tamil Nadu.

Inspired by his father, K Sankar, who began recycling PET bottles in 2008, Senthil joined his father's struggling business in 2015. Together, they transformed it into EcoLine Clothing, one of India's first "bottle-to-garment" brands.

The beginning wasn't easy. They faced financial struggles and lacked investor support. At one point, they even took loans just to pay salaries. But with grit and support from loyal employees, they grew.

By 2019, they were producing fibres and yarns, and in 2021, launched their sustainable clothing line.

EcoLine's clothes are made from recycled plastic bottles using dope-dye technology that saves water. So far, they've saved over 81 lakh bottles from polluting landfills and oceans.

Their big break came when Prime Minister Narendra Modi wore one of their jackets, boosting their visibility.

Now selling across major online platforms, Senthil hopes that by 2030, all their fibres will become stylish, eco-friendly garments.