Transformation of Floral Waste to Aromatic Incense

Solid waste management is a monumental problem faced by growing economies the world over. 

And when we think solid waste what comes to mind is daily household waste and industrial or commercial waste. But there is a hidden pollutant that has now become one of the biggest challenges and that is flower waste. Floral waste accounts for nearly 1/3rd of total waste in the country.




Why does floral waste matter?


Thousands of flowers are used daily for religious purposes, ceremonies and decoration. 

The flowers used in temples and pujas are considered holy and not disposed of with regular waste so they are dumped into the nearest water body be it a river or lake. A holy river like Ganga takes in more than 8 million tonnes of floral waste every year. 


Floral waste not only clogs rivers but also carries toxins that come from the flowers like Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic, these are part of insecticides and pesticides. This leads to water pollution and affects not only the marine animals and plants but also humans who depend on the river as their water source. 


How did Phool become the pioneer of biodegradable and sustainable incense from temple flowers?


In 2015 the journey of Phool started, the world's first profitable and lean solution to the monumental temple flower waste problem.


Phool uses innovative ‘flowercycling’ technology to collect over 11 tons of temple flower waste every day and convert them into the world’s first certified natural incense. 


The flowers are collected from 5 prominent temple towns and converted into biodegradable and the world’s first natural certified incense products like bambooless incense sticks, incense cones and havan cups. 


All the products at Phool are handcrafted by women providing livelihood to over 300 marginalised women. With each pack of incense 1.25 kgs of flowers are saved from being dumped in the Ganges.


What are the steps for creating incense sticks from floral waste?


  1. Gathering the raw material- Phool partners with women flowercyclers to gather the discarded flowers from the Ganga. 

  2. Cleaning and segregation- temple flowers usually consist of marigolds, roses, jasmine and hibiscus. The flowers are cleaned thoroughly and segregated according to their type.


Check out Phool Bambooless incense collection now.


  1. Drying and crushing- the flower petals are separated and completely dried and then crushed into a fine powder.

  2. Add other ingredients- some binding agents like gum and resin are added, and if required essential oils or perfumes are also added

  3. The final product- is prepared by mixing all the ingredients, rolling it in a cylindrical shape and drying it. The final product is now ready to use.


Phool incense sticks are the perfect match for aromatherapy and self-care rituals, check out the different fragrances today.


This journey from floral waste to aromatic incense is a remarkable example of sustainability and creativity coming together. By repurposing discarded flowers, we not only mitigate environmental impact but also tap into the therapeutic benefits of the incense. This transformative process is a harmonious connection between nature, tradition, and well-being, illustrating the potential for innovative solutions to emerge from mindful resource management.


Be a part of Phool’s legacy and choose sustainable and biodegradable incense today.

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