Garbaliser was established in 2020. It specializes in transforming organic waste, such as vegetable remains and animal manure into liquid organic fertilizers. Its aim is to improve crop quality and yield while also being environmentally safe.
Energy Innovation Hub is a platform that combines unique ideas and innovative solutions in the energy sector, aiming to help power Lebanon. Garbaliser, founded by Hanan and Zeinab Ismail is currently enrolled in our Energy Innovation Hub where we offer financial and technical supports with partners as well as networking opportunities with industry experts and potential clients.
1. What inspired you to establish Garbaliser? How did you come up with the idea?
Garbaliser was founded for two reasons; the first is Lebanon’s ongoing pollution issue, which was never addressed nor lessened while Covid-19 was spreading throughout the country. Also, my father and uncle were discussing the fertilizer issue at that time because they both work in agriculture and experience the same issue. As a result, we came up with the idea of GARBALISER: it treats food waste and uses it in a novel way by turning it into fertilizer, which not only encourages the usage of a healthy locally made product but also helps ease the farmers as well as the pollution situation.
2. What makes Garbaliser unique and different from other solutions within the market?
Garbaliser is the first organic liquid fertilizer made from organic leftovers and treated with advanced technology that ends with ZERO WASTE. It can be served as a healthy substitute for chemical fertilizers with simpler usage and at a reasonable price. What is even more impressive is how well it treats ailments that might impact the plant, like aphids.
3. What are the challenges you faced while launching your business and how did you overcome it?
We faced many challenges; the most significant of which was that people did not accept that two girls who live in the village want to start their own business. This motivated us to work twice as hard to prove our ability. In addition to the time and effort, we have put in to build a trusting relationship and demonstrate to our customers that we can produce high-quality local fertilizer. Unfortunately, we continue to face significant difficulties with operations and legal papers with the government, which are becoming more difficult as a result of the successive crises that are occurring.
4. In your opinion, what is the key to success? What advice would you give other startups in the industry?
The key to success is to believe in yourself and your ability to do what you want and prioritize it as one of your primary goals. You should constantly work on developing the idea, and employ a pivoting strategy to ensure that you will continue to create new ideas
that are in line with the needs of the market as well as the customer. Always try to surround yourself with creative and supportive people who are striving to improve their skills. The business world is vast, and you will never stop learning and gaining new skills
and experiences.
5. What should we expect next from Garbaliser?
Garbaliser is a dreamy idea that never stops blooming and developing. We are currently working on expanding our idea and replicating our system by opening more than one branch within Lebanon. In addition, we will soon launch our product on the market, followed by other products under development. As a result, we began with a local expansion strategy before moving on to the MENA REGION. It is worth noting that we are constantly working to investigate and exploit the environmental problems that surround us, and there is something that will surprise you soon.
