PlastiCured: Turning Trash into Treasure in West Garo Hills
Spearheaded by local authorities and Bandhure Solutions LLP, PlastiCured not only promotes recycling but also inspires students to embrace sustainable living.
Any idea what is PlastiCured? Well let me share this news.
If you thought your single-use plastic waste was destined for a lifetime of aimless drifting in a landfill or a dramatic finale in the belly of an unsuspecting sea turtle, think again. The fine folk of West Garo Hills have decided to put their rubbish to good use—quite literally—by turning it into plant pots. Yes, you heard that right. That crisp packet you tossed aside could very well be cradling a sapling in Tura before you can say “recycle or regret.”
In a pioneering initiative that’s as green as it is ingenious, the district administration of West Garo Hills has teamed up with Bandhure Solutions LLP (aivi.in), a Karnataka-based company with an eye for upcycling and a heart for sustainability. Together, they’ve launched ‘PlastiCured’—a programme that aims to breathe new life into single-use plastics, one upcycled product at a time.
Spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani and facilitated by District Education Officer Rod Thenang, PlastiCured isn’t just about cleaning up the mess—it’s about changing mindsets. And where better to start than with the young minds of tomorrow?
Cue the awareness sessions. The aivi.in team has been on a whirlwind tour of five schools—GGHHS, Matchakolgre, Cherangre LPS, Hawakhana LPS, and Tura Public School—preaching the gospel of sustainable living. Lessons have ranged from the basics of plastic types (because not all plastics are equal, as it turns out) to the fine art of proper disposal and the noble cause of recycling.
Ashwani Gautam, spokesperson for aivi.in, explained that the main aim is to get students thinking green—not in envy, but in action. “It’s about forming habits that last a lifetime,” he said. “And if that means making plant pots out of yesterday’s litter, then so be it.”
The initiative took centre stage at the SPARK Summit, where the first batch of ‘PlastiCured Pots’—plant pots crafted from recycled plastic—was unveiled. These pots are not just decorative containers but symbolic artefacts, presented to outstanding students as a mark of their achievements. The plan is to later distribute them to all Class 10 students in Tura, giving each one a literal reminder to nurture both plants and responsibility.
“More than just pots, they symbolise growth, responsibility, and change,” said the innovators behind the initiative. “Each plant is a mirror of the student’s journey—growing, adapting, and thriving. This is not just about recycling; it’s about reshaping how we think, inspiring real action, and cultivating a greener future.”
And so, the PlastiCured revolution begins. From waste to wonder, from refuse to responsibility—West Garo Hills might just be showing the rest of us how it’s done. If this trend catches on, don’t be too surprised if your old shopping bags come back as park benches, school desks, or—dare we dream—entire classrooms. After all, the future isn’t just about making less mess. It’s about making something marvellous out of it.
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