Priyanshi Poddar

2025 Eco-Hero

HONORABLE MENTION

Priyanshi Poddar
Age 16
Biratnagar, Nepal
Saathi: Upcycling Rubber Waste into Comfort & Dignity for Underserved Communities

Driven by a profound commitment to both environmental sustainability and social justice, 16-year-old Priyanshi Poddar is transforming discarded rubber waste into a source of comfort and dignity for marginalized communities in Nepal through her groundbreaking initiative, Saathi (Partner). Growing up in Biratnagar, Nepal’s industrial hub, Priyanshi witnessed firsthand the overwhelming piles of rubber scraps accumulating from nearby factories and polluting local rivers. This concern, coupled with the devastating impact of the 2015 Nepal earthquake, ignited her passion to create a sustainable solution that addresses both waste management and the urgent needs of vulnerable populations.

Project Saathi began by repurposing discarded rubber from industries and households, collecting it from local landfills and streets, and setting up collection boxes for old footwear across the city. Priyanshi and her team then upcycle this waste into durable, multipurpose mats and comfortable clogs. These essential items provide a clean, insulated surface for sleeping, studying, and playing, directly improving the living conditions of families often sleeping on bare ground or children studying on cold floors.

Since its official launch in May 2023, Saathi has conducted 15 impactful distribution drives across Nepal. Notably, in response to the October 2023 earthquake in western Nepal, Priyanshi partnered with the Nepali government to provide 200 mats as urgent relief. To date, over 4,000 individuals have benefited from Saathi's efforts, with over 1,000 upcycled mats and 2,500 pairs of clogs distributed. Beyond direct impact, the project has successfully recycled over 250 kg of toxic rubber waste, preventing the release of approximately 3 metric tons of CO₂ emissions.

Priyanshi's leadership extends beyond the practical aspects of Saathi. She actively involves young students in her distribution drives, empowering them to understand how their participation combats both environmental degradation and social inequality. She has also secured significant funding, including $3,000 from the IB Action Fund (if applicable), and raised 70,000 rupees through a school fundraising event, Flavours of Woodstock, to support Saathi's work. Her dedication ensures that rubber waste is not just managed but transformed into tangible support for those in need, fostering a profound sense of dignity and care. She eloquently described Saathi to her teacher, Prabin Rai, as "a way to bring warmth to cold ground."

Prabin Rai, Priyanshi's IB DP Coordinator, praises her exceptional commitment: "Priyanshi doesn’t just apply for opportunities—she sees them through, even when the process is long, demanding, or uncertain." He adds, "Priyanshi doesn’t wait for change to happen. She leads it." This proactive spirit is evident in her ambitious future plans to expand Saathi's reach nationwide, aiming to recycle over 400 kg of rubber waste and distribute an additional 3,000 mats by the end of 2026, benefiting at least 10,000 individuals across all seven provinces of Nepal. Priyanshi is a true changemaker, demonstrating that empathy, innovation, and unwavering dedication can create a lasting positive impact on both people and the planet.

https://www.project-saathi.com/