On the occasion of World Environment Day, Sustainability Initiatives recently hosted a creative event. An upcycling competition was organised for VK Group where the participants were asked to create functional and durable products from the things they no longer need at office or home.
Upcycling is defined as “The act of taking something no longer in use and giving it a second life and new function. In doing so, the finished product often becomes more practical, valuable and beautiful than what it previously was.”

The entire staff of VK group participated in the event! The idea behind it was to promote hands-on repurposing practices. We got to see some brilliant ideas put in form and function and we were delighted with the enthusiasm shown by the staff! Around 250 employees were grouped into 25 teams who made some amazing products through waste; Footrest and stools from emptied paper rolls, a hanger from antennae, soaps and scrub from coffee ground, pen stands from obsolete visiting cards, paper weights from rough papers, hair bands from masks, organisers from mango crates etc. to name a few. . These products were exhibited in the office studio for 2 days.Inspite of working hard throughout the week, all the employees managed to give their precious weekend for this activity!

Veteran Ajay Phatak along with Poorva Pandit, owner of Trunk – evoking nostalgia were the honorable judges of the event. In his speech, Ajay Phatak reflected on the value of reducing and repurposing, stressing on the fact that we have to listen to our needs than our greeds and explained how Upcycling benefits the environment by reducing the pollutants of air, land and water in the processing of new goods – as well as preventing additional natural resources from being used and hence reduces the amount of excess waste which would otherwise end up in landfills.