Ideathon on Green Packaging Launched

An Ideathon “Green Pack Challenge – Innovate for Sustainability” was launched by WTC Bhubaneswar in collaboration with Start – Up Odisha (an Initiative of Government of Odisha) and TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) Bhubaneswar.
The challenge engaged the young masses in a brainstorming activity for coming up with innovative ideas on alternatives as well as reverse engineering mechanisms of plastics. The challenge in its launch program set a forum of all the relevant stakeholders for providing the right direction to thought process of the youngsters enabling them to constructively engage in coming up with various other solutions which are sustainable and eco-friendly in nature. 

The program thus witnessed presentations by senior officials from relevant organizations including Mr. Samarendra Sahu, CEO, Institute of Entrepreneurship Development, Dr. P.S.G. Krishnan, Head, CIPET Bhubaneswar, Prof. S. Peppin, Dean, Xavier School of Sustainability, Xavier University, Bhubaneswar, Dr. D.K. Behera, Senior Environment Scientist, Odisha Pollution Control Board, Mr. Deboo Patnaik, President, TiE Bhubaneswar. 

Mr. Sahu deliberated on various initiatives of the State Government for promoting entrepreneurship and start-up culture. Dr. Krishnan through his presentation deliberated on the different types of uses of plastics and how plastics have played a vital role in fighting the carbon foot print across the globe. He thus advocated that it is highly essential to have the right perception of plastic ban as all plastics are not hazardous to the environment. Prof. Peppin highlighted on the adverse impacts of improper disposal of plastics on sustainable environment. Dr. Behera spoke about the various challenges in implementation of plastic ban. While speaking about the solutions he emphasised the need for an economically viable alternatives for bringing in a smooth acceptance and change in the mind-set of the society. Mr. Deboo Patnaik, his is address encouraged youngsters to become entrepreneurs and explained the various aspects of being a successful entrepreneur.

The online link for submission of ideas was subsequently launched jointly by the panel of speakers. The start-ups were further allowed a month’s time for submission of their ideas post which the evaluation process shall happen to finalize upon the best ideas would be provided necessary handholding by various incubation centres with the active support of the Start-up Odisha initiative for effectively starting up an enterprise. 

In Pic: Dr. Krishnan addresses the audience while Mr. Samarendra Sahu, Dr. Behera and Prof. S. Peppin are seen seated on the dais