Parents looking to dispose of children's old textbooks after exams can now list them free of cost for sale or donation at www.sumrux.com. According to Krupa TS, founder of the social enterprise, listing takes about a minute and could help someone in need while conserving resources for future generations.
Eco-Friendly Textbook Campaign
Krupa, who has a background in waste management, emphasizes the environmental impact of reusing textbooks. She states, "If every student in Bengaluru takes part in the eco textbook campaign, we can save enough trees that can fill Bannerghatta National Park." The platform charges a nominal service fee to sustain operations. For a book sold at Rs 100, both buyer and seller are charged Rs 5 each. This fee is used for website maintenance.
How Sumrux Works
There are no physical drop or pick-up points because sorting and standardizing across schools and book lists is difficult. Instead, items are listed online with filters including school, grade, board, and subjects. Owners can accept or reject requests, and once accepted, the requester receives contact details to coordinate pickup directly.
Book Swap Events in Apartments
A pilot project for book swap events is being planned in apartment complexes in Bengaluru. Krupa believes that apartment complexes can play a key role in promoting a culture of reduce and reuse. "We're seeking any apartment willing to try this, especially during summer holidays when kids could help," says Krupa. The initiative aims to promote sustainable consumption among residents.
Additional Offerings
Besides textbooks, Sumrux also supports the exchange and sale of toys, clothes, and jewellery, encouraging a broader culture of reuse.
About the Founder
Krupa, a software engineer whose last stint was with Microsoft, noted higher demand for books of lower classes as parents want backup sets in case children lose books. Her vision for Sumrux is to conserve resources for future generations through community-driven reuse.
