--- title: "Econscious Journey: Building India’s Sustainable Public Spaces" description: "From UNDP awards to installations at public events, see how Econscious is transforming plastic waste into durable, eco-friendly public infrastructure." canonical: https://mytribe.in/econscious.india/sustainable-public-infrastructure-furniture/our-journey-recognition last_updated: 2025-09-16 --- # Our Journey: From Plastic Waste to Purpose Tribe Verified · Recognized by UNDP, G20, and the President By [Econscious](https://mytribe.in/econscious.india) · Ships across India; Visit stores in New Delhi & Sonipat · ₹14K per bench (estimate) Part of [Sustainable Public Infrastructure & Furniture](https://mytribe.in/econscious.india/sustainable-public-infrastructure-furniture). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/econscious.india/sustainable-public-infrastructure-furniture/gallery) A look at how our simple idea of turning trash into treasure evolved into a national movement for sustainable public infrastructure. ## Photos and videos - ![A proud moment for us, winning the UNDP YouthColab challenge for our work in the circular economy. This recognition fuels our motivation to keep innovating.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/38661939-b13d-4750-9984-57d42c868036) - [Video: This video captures the moment we received the grant and felicitation at the Youth Co:Lab event. Every milestone is a reminder to stay true to our vision.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/124d57ef-0b37-4350-80d6-377f926e4b20) - ![Our co-founder was honored to be among 75 women entrepreneurs to meet the Honorable President Smt. Droupdi Murmu and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Global Investors Summit.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fd198cca-e3d4-4005-a0df-b4e90127d3ca) - ![We had a wonderful experience showcasing our work to the Honorable LG of Delhi, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, and receiving his valuable feedback on our initiatives.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/31a6dd5c-c521-45a1-82ea-77df3dea1268) - ![Our co-founder, Sonal Shukla, was invited to speak at TEDxVivekanandSchool, where she shared our story of turning an environmental burden into a valuable resource.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6df14424-0bc6-4281-a7fb-0a775dcae7af) - ![Our work was featured in HT City on World Environment Day, highlighting our model of recycling 500kg of plastic per month from Delhi-NCR to create public utility resources.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/947afbaa-77e5-4dab-ab6c-12872c090a81) - ![We were featured in Navbharat Times for our participation in the G20 Startup20 summit, recognizing our efforts in creating useful products from plastic waste.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6e6fca98-ea7e-40c3-86e7-1ec46f8cc6ac) - [Video: Seeing our startup's journey and recycled plastic benches featured in SPAN Magazine was a great feeling of recognition for our hard work in reducing plastic pollution.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/724c7ca4-cdd0-48a6-98a0-2df6ba4e2a17) - ![Sonal speaking at the American Center in New Delhi after completing a 9-week pre-incubation program with ACIR Nexus, a U.S. Embassy initiative.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b6f2af07-eddf-4f02-8c91-e43238e6bf4f) - ![A collage celebrating four years of our journey. It's a glimpse into the impact, growth, and learning we've experienced while building Econscious.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a056ad31-f18c-407d-a25d-8e591108d303) - ![Another feature, this time in Punjab Kesari, covering our mission to make better products through the proper use of plastic waste.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9cb78ff3-9cae-4079-b5dd-333586a9a29a) - ![Hindustan newspaper covered our project, highlighting how we are moving forward with government partnership to make products by properly using waste.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/58240cac-f791-4758-a287-13a41e6c736b) - ![This article in HT City quotes us on how we collect plastic from ragpickers and households to upcycle it into public utility resources like park benches.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f528cc25-c459-4bd5-b59c-cf02b55de1b3) - ![Our team photo after completing the pre-incubation program at ACIR Nexus, which helped us refine our strategy and grow our network.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/95c3795b-bff4-44d7-b75e-d1804a5c87af) - ![A newspaper clipping from Amar Ujala featuring our co-founder with other women entrepreneurs at the UP Global Investors Summit.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dff1c0ad-154c-4a14-92d8-a0d850b35b26) ## About Our Journey & Recognition It is one thing to talk about sustainability, but another to see it take shape in real public spaces. Every milestone you see here—from UNDP recognition to meeting dignitaries—represents the hundreds of thousands of kilograms of plastic we have diverted from landfills, not just a pat on the back for us. Shuruat hui thi (It started) with a simple realization on a mountain trek: plastic isn't just waste; it is a resource we are failing to use. When we founded Econscious, our goal was never just to sell products. We wanted to close the loop on plastic pollution in a way that people could actually touch and feel. ### The Growth What began as making small decor pieces from recycled scraps evolved into crafting industrial-grade benches, changing rooms for large-scale events like the Maha Kumbh, and public infrastructure across India. We have learned that if you want to make a big impact, you have to think big. ### Why Recognition Matters Being recognized by the UNDP, meeting the President, and showcasing our work at G20 summits hasn't just been about the headlines. These moments have validated our 'trash-to-treasure' process and helped us bridge the gap between niche sustainability and mass-market public utility. We’ve gone from recycling 500kg of waste per month to over 1,500kg, and every new installation—whether it's a park bench in a Delhi SDM office or a custom installation—helps us prove that public spaces can look good while doing good. ### Moving Forward We haven't had a viral moment that changed everything overnight. We have just kept showing up, refining our 'confetti' terrazzo-finish boards, and making sure our benches can handle everything from Himalayan weather to urban foot traffic. If you are looking to integrate sustainability into your project, we are here to collaborate. ## About Econscious Sonal and Vaibhav here. We started Econscious on a mountain trek, frustrated by plastic pollution, and turned that frustration into benches, booths, and public installations across India. We’re just a couple of entrepreneurs building a circular economy, one recycled sheet at a time. [See all of Econscious's services](https://mytribe.in/econscious.india) ## More from Sustainable Public Infrastructure & Furniture by Econscious - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/econscious.india/sustainable-public-infrastructure-furniture/featured) - [Recycled Plastic Benches](https://mytribe.in/econscious.india/sustainable-public-infrastructure-furniture/recycled-plastic-benches) - [Large-Scale Public Installations](https://mytribe.in/econscious.india/sustainable-public-infrastructure-furniture/large-scale-public-installations) - [How We Turn Waste into Wonder](https://mytribe.in/econscious.india/sustainable-public-infrastructure-furniture/how-we-turn-waste-into-wonder) - [The People Behind the Mission](https://mytribe.in/econscious.india/sustainable-public-infrastructure-furniture/the-people-behind-the-mission) - [Exhibitions & Community Engagement](https://mytribe.in/econscious.india/sustainable-public-infrastructure-furniture/exhibitions-community-engagement) ## More services by Econscious - [Sustainable Corporate Gifting & Merchandise](https://mytribe.in/econscious.india/sustainable-corporate-gifting-merchandise) - [Sustainable Home & Office Decor](https://mytribe.in/econscious.india/sustainable-home-office-decor) ## Similar work from other experts - [Recognition for E-Waste Art and Upcycling](https://mytribe.in/the-upcycle-store/workshops-speaking-engagements/awards-accolades) by Vishwanath Mallabadi · Workshops & Speaking Engagements · Bengaluru and outstation sessions in India - [Our Sustainable Bamboo Vision and Industry Recognition](https://mytribe.in/indevilledesignstudio/sustainable-bamboo-construction/our-mission-recognition) by Indeville Design Studio · Sustainable Bamboo Construction · Projects in Bengaluru, Delhi NCR & Patna; Visit Studio in AECS Layout - [Upcycled Architecture: Giving Waste New Life](https://mytribe.in/biomearchitecture/sustainable-architecture/material-innovation-upcycling-giving-waste-new-life) by Biome Environmental Solutions · Sustainable Architecture · Based in Vidyaranyapura; serves Bengaluru & India - [Awards and Recognition for Our Design Practice](https://mytribe.in/treelightdesign/landscape-architecture/awards-recognition) by Treelight Design · Landscape Architecture · Takes projects across India; Visit Studio at Indiranagar, Bengaluru - [Award-Winning Wedding Decor & Design Excellence](https://mytribe.in/elusivedreams_pooja/eco-luxe-sustainable-event-design/awards-recognition) by Elusive Dreams By Pooja Doshi · Eco-Luxe & Sustainable Event Design · Available for events in Mumbai and across India - [Industry Recognition and Architectural Awards](https://mytribe.in/edifice_consultants/residential-architecture-master-planning/thought-leadership-industry-recognition) by Edifice Consultants · Residential Architecture & Master Planning · Takes projects across India; Offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru & Delhi ## Book To book Econscious, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20work%20on%20the%20Econscious%20journey%20page%20and%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20a%20project%20with%20you.)