Two students from DPS International, Gurugram 16-year-old Samvit Govindani and 17-year-old Shaurya Sharma launched Project ReFlex in May 2024. Their idea: collect discarded PVC flex banners (commonly used for one-off street promotions) and upcycle them into stylish, functional products like tote bags, laptop sleeves, wallets, and folders.

They partnered with the Sahaj Shakti Foundation, enabling nearly 50 women, including sewing instructor Neelam, to create these products. The flexible, slippery PVC demanded high precision, sharpening their skills and boosting confidence. As Neelam puts it: “Flex banners don’t forgive mistakes… it has made us sharper, more precise,” adding that work brought both pride and dignity.

Samvit and Shaurya manage product planning, design, and collection of over 430 banners, ensuring hygiene by sanitizing materials before cutting and handing them over for stitching. Their weekend and summer hustle drives the project from brainstorming to stall sales in local fairs.

ReFlex has diverted more than 250 kg of plastic waste so far and created over 260 upcycled products. Initially met with skepticism “we were selling trash” they won hearts by transparently explaining their process and refining designs using bold elements from the banners themselves. The result: durable, waterproof, affordable, and eco-friendly goods earning community praise.

The teens plan to scale across Delhi-NCR, bring more volunteers on board, and expand the model’s environmental and social reach. With just a school project, they’ve sparked a movement showing how creative thinking can turn trash into opportunity, and vision into impact.