In Pune, a simple idea is creating extraordinary change. Pritu Chaudhary, founder of Little Leaf, is turning 100,000 kilograms of waste paper into notebooks for children who can’t afford them. Growing up in Varanasi, Pritu was disturbed by mountains of paper and plastic waste. But instead of seeing it as trash, she saw an opportunity to help underprivileged children access education.

Launched in 2014, Little Leaf collects waste paper from households, educates communities about segregation, and works with manufacturers to transform it into notebooks. Donors can receive a recycled notebook themselves or give it to a child in need, creating a sense of involvement and ownership.

The environmental impact is massive. Recycling paper saves trees, water, and energy, while giving children the tools they need to learn. Students like 17-year-old Bhagwat Kuber and 15-year-old Shivani Madan now have notebooks for each subject, making learning easier and more exciting.

With partnerships across schools, corporations, and housing societies, Pritu envisions taking Little Leaf nationwide, proving that one person’s initiative can spark hope, education, and sustainability all at once.