| Event | Nature’s Club Event |
| Year | 2025 - 2026 |
| Date | 11th August, 2025 |
| Time | 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Venue | Conclave I |
| Faculty Co-ordinator | Prof. Jagrati Sehgal |
| Student Co-ordinators | Riya Sudhin, Tanvi Mahajan |
| Guest Speaker | Ms. Vani Narayan |
| No. of Students | 74 Boys - 36, Girls - 38 |
| No. of Faculties | 02 |
On the occasion of World Nature Conservation Day, a lecture was conducted by Nature Club of PiCA to encourage students to adopt upcycling practices by transforming plastic waste into useful items, fostering awareness on tackling plastic pollution through creative reuse.
The event includes an engaging guest lecture on sustainable practices, by Ms. Vani Narayan, Senior Manager – Business Development at ReCharka: The Eco Social Tribe, as the esteemed speaker.
Vani has graduated from NIFT Chennai as a Fashion Designer, and then worked for over 15 years in various organisations as well as had her own entrepreneurial stint! At reCharkha, Vani is a part of our Business Development activities in Mumbai, managing the Mumbai store, sourcing fabrics and accessories. We are so glad that Vani is part of our team, as her passion plus experience adds great value to reCharkha’s EcoSocialTribe!
Ms. Vani began by drawing a clear distinction between recycling and upcycling, explaining why upcycling plays a more significant role in sustainability by converting waste into value-added, functional products. She provided a step-by-step walkthrough of the upcycling process adopted at ReCharka, sharing how each stage is meticulously carried out and how the initiative first came into existence. Students were introduced to the founder’s vision and the philosophy behind starting this eco-social enterprise, which not only tackles plastic waste but also empowers communities.
The session aimed to sensitize students to the growing issue of plastic pollution while showcasing upcycling as a creative and impactful solution.
A key highlight was Ms. Vani’s demonstration of the types of plastic that can be upcycled, emphasizing the need for proper cleaning before reuse. She also shed light on the social dimension of ReCharka’s work, explaining how rural women are provided meaningful employment opportunities by weaving the collected plastics on handlooms.
The lecture culminated with a showcase of the diverse range of products created by the organisation—bags, pouches, bottle covers, and cutlery holders—illustrating the potential of waste to be transformed into useful everyday items. The event proved to be highly informative and inspirational, leaving students with a deeper understanding of sustainability, the importance of innovation in design, and the power of design practices that create both ecological and social impact.
Understanding the Value of Upcycling: Students realized how upcycling differs from recycling and why it is a more sustainable approach, as it adds value to waste rather than downgrading it.
Learning the Process First-Hand: The detailed explanation and live demonstration helped students gain clarity on how plastic can be transformed step by step into useful products.
Social Impact of Sustainability: The initiative highlighted how upcycling not only reduces plastic waste but also creates livelihoods for rural women, showcasing sustainability as both an environmental and social movement.
Exposure to Innovative Design Solutions: By viewing products such as bags, pouches, and bottle covers made from plastic waste, students understood the potential of creative design in addressing real-world problems.
Inspiration for Future Practice: The lecture motivated budding architects and designers to integrate eco-conscious practices into their academic work and future careers, reinforcing that sustainability must become a core professional responsibility.
