What if waste isn’t just a problem, but an opportunity? Thajudeen Aboobaker, Founder & CEO of Urban Trash, shares how he turned early failures into purpose and built a venture that reimagines B2B waste management with both innovation and compassion. From staggering statistics on waste generation to the hidden opportunities within them, his talk reveals how sustainability can drive entrepreneurship—and why each of us carries the responsibility to act for the planet we share. Thajudeen Aboobaker is the visionary Founder and CEO of Urban Trash, a pioneering B2B waste management enterprise committed to transforming environmental responsibility through innovation and technology. Guided by resilience and purpose, he turned early setbacks into the foundation for a company that redefines how businesses approach sustainability.Under his leadership, Urban Trash has grown into a trusted partner for organizations like Wipro and the Kerala Startup Mission, earning recognition for its intelligent waste management systems and community-driven impact. Thajudeen’s approach blends scientific insight with social consciousness, positioning Urban Trash at the intersection of innovation and environmental stewardship.Driven by the belief that sustainability is not just a choice but a shared duty, Thajudeen Aboobaker continues to lead with compassion, inspiring a future where technology, business, and humanity work together to build a cleaner, more responsible world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 20:08I can do anything! | Ms. Sonal Ambani | TEDxYouth@JGISIn this powerful and heartfelt TEDx talk, Ms. Sonal Ambani, internationally acclaimed sculptor and designer, takes the audience on an inspiring journey through her art and the deeper messages it holds about equality, purpose, and love.Through her iconic sculptures — Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune, Little Blue Screen, We Dream Under the Same Sky, and XOXO — Sonal blends creativity with consciousness, touching upon gender equality, technology, human connection, and the timeless importance of love and dreams.She reminds us that art is not just something we see — it’s something we feel, live, and learn from. Her message is simple yet profound: “I can do anything.” “Look up, and see the world around you.” “Read every single day.” “Stay in love — with yourself, people, and life. Ms. Sonal Ambani is a globally exhibited sculptor whose works in steel and bronze explore resilience, digital culture, and gender equality. In 2024, she received the inaugural Motwani Jadeja Art Prize for her monumental Unity Dome – Voices of Women, adding to earlier honors such as the Times of India Women Power Award (2019), the Women of Excellence Award – FICCI FLO (2017), and the Pfeiffer Peace Prize (2005).Her sculptures have been showcased at the Venice Biennale, DIFC Sculpture Park, and India Art Fair, and are part of royal and private collections worldwide. Beyond her art, Sonal is deeply committed to social causes. As founder of the Cancer Screening Research Trust and a member of the United Nations Development Fund for Women, she integrates humanitarian values into her creative practice. A portion of proceeds from her work continues to support cancer awareness, reflecting her belief that art must serve both society and the spirit. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 7:29Rainbow nation: Pride, progress, & popularity | Sasiphat (Sabrina) Shrestha | TEDxSJC School BangkokSabrina is a 12th-grade student and a future med student. Her topic is about social constructs, Rainbow Nation: Pride, Progress, and Popularity. Sabrina is a 12th-grade student and a future med student.Her topic is about social constructs, Rainbow Nation: Pride, Progress, and Popularity. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 18:52The silent struggle of anxiety & depression | Ayesha Abdul Raoof | TEDxSolitaireGlobalSchoolsAttapurExplores the quiet battles behind mental health and the stigma that silences them. A firm believer that even the quietest voices carry power. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 9:08AI & Robotics : Transforming Life and Industry | Arman Baig | TEDxSolitaireGlobalSchoolsAttapurDriving innovation at the intersection of technology and industry. Passionate about artificial intelligence and robotics. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 3:14Immigration makes Australia stronger | Mahnoor Khan | TEDxTarneit YouthAustralia is not one colour, and we need to be accepting and welcoming to immigrants, and learn from them, not push them away. Mahnoor is a student at Warreen Primary School. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 7:59The faces of Poverty and Inequality | Saanvi Tripathy | TEDxSolitaireGlobalSchoolsAttapurAims to shed light on the faces that often go unnoticed. Keen interest in International relations and economics. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
