EcoCushion Paper
A new way of packing
We keep talking about pollution from plastics but people like Mr Mahesh Agarwal who founded Eco Cushion Paper do something about it.
His answers on his journey are given below
His inspiration came from a deeply personal moment. During the pandemic, as he relocated from Delhi to Mumbai, he was struck by the sheer volume of plastic bubble wrap used just for packing. That experience made him pause and ask — is there a better way to protect our belongings without harming the environment? That question became the foundation of EcoCushion Paper. At 65, he didn’t expect to become an entrepreneur, but the urgency of the plastic crisis and the desire to leave behind a cleaner planet for future generations inspired him to act.
His biggest support system has been his family — they built EcoCushion Paper together as a family business. He states, "Collaborating with my children, Naman and Varsha, brought together a blend of experience, innovation, and business acumen, making EcoCushion Paper a reality. "
Their customers too, especially early adopters who believed in them and chose a new sustainable packaging alternative over conventional plastic, have been a source of great motivation and support.
The most significant challenge was behavioral resistance — plastic has been the norm for decades. Convincing businesses to try something new, even if more sustainable, wasn't easy. Many were skeptical of the paper's protective strength. Another hurdle was logistical — ensuring they had a smooth supply chain and scalable production. Through focused process innovation and building strong supplier relationships, they were able to overcome these and grow steadily.
Lastly the changing market dynamics and increased competition has led to massive misselling in this segment - in these times their job is to be true to their value and let their quality and service be the pitch for why they are different.
There are many moments that he holds close to his heart. One of the earliest was the first big order — it came from Odisha, and he still remembers the joy it brought hiim. It felt like validation that their idea had real potential. Another incredibly fulfilling experience has been receiving orders from small businesses across the length and breadth of India — from Kashmir to Meghalaya, and even the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It amazes the team how today’s digital tools and new-age technologies allow a sustainable packaging product to reach remote corners of the country. The scale and connectivity of the digital world blows their mind every single day- makes them feel it's a great time to be doing business in India really.
Their vision is clear — to make sustainable packaging the default, not the exception. The global bubble wrap market is projected to grow steadily due to e-commerce scale. At the same time, there’s rising demand for sustainable alternatives. They aim to be the leading protective packaging solution replacing single-use plastics across industries. Through continuous innovation and expansion, including newer sustainable product lines and exports, they envision a world where packaging doesn’t have to cost the Earth
He avers “I would like to tell aspiring entrepreneurs — it’s never too late to start. I began this journey in my 60s, with no background in packaging, just a desire to solve a real problem. Keep purpose at the heart of your business. If your product creates genuine value and you’re willing to walk the hard path of educating your customer, success will follow. And above all, stay patient — change takes time, especially in entrenched industries.”
Eco Cushion Paper has given him a second innings — one with meaning, impact, and community. Every meter of plastic they replace with paper is a step toward cleaner oceans, safer landfills, and a greener planet. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been deeply fulfilling. He feels grateful every day to be part of a solution in a world that desperately needs one.
We wish him all the best in his initiatives.
By Jamuna Rangachari
