Four teenage girls from Gurukul The School in Ghaziabad have shown how small ideas can spark real change. What began as a classroom exercise on sustainability during an entrepreneurship camp grew into Pahal, a student-led startup focused on reducing plastic waste through practical actions and products. The name Pahal — meaning “first step” — reflects both the founders’ intent and their humble beginning: questioning the everyday presence of single-use plastics and imagining better alternatives.

Initially, the team tackled plastic use right at school by proposing replacing plastic spoons and forks with wooden ones in the canteen — a modest but visible success that boosted their confidence and solidified their mission. They soon moved beyond their campus to design and sell eco-friendly cotton tote bags that encourage people to ditch plastic bags for reusable ones. Their first major test came at a school event where all 100 bags were sold out, surprising buyers and affirming demand for sustainable products.

Balancing schoolwork with startup challenges hasn’t been easy, but the girls say confidence and persistence helped them negotiate with suppliers and secure opportunities. Rather than profit-maximising, they choose to reinvest earnings into future growth and environmental impact, planning to expand to bamboo toothbrushes and themed tote designs that connect sustainability with everyday lifestyle. For the founders, Pahal is more than a brand — it’s a movement grounded in everyday choices that inspire eco-conscious living among peers and communities.