Life jacket made from recycled plastic bottles | Fusion - WeRIndia

Anusweta Deb, an 18-year-old with a compassionate and curious nature, has found a remarkable solution to address the devastating floods and climate changes in her hometown of Assam.

She has ingeniously repurposed plastic bottles and sacks to create affordable life jackets that can save lives during floods.

Anusweta’s innovative idea has garnered her numerous awards and recognition, including medals.

The inspiration behind Anusweta’s life jacket idea stems from her deep concern for both environmental conservation and helping people in need.

Crafted entirely from upcycled plastic materials, these life jackets are not only cost-effective, with a production cost of approximately ₹150, but they are also available in different sizes to accommodate various body types.

Remarkably, they can support up to 110 kg of weight while keeping individuals afloat in water.

Growing up in Hailakandi, Assam, Anusweta had heard about the devastating floods that plagued nearby areas.

However, the gravity of the situation struck her firsthand in 2019 when her own hometown experienced the devastating effects of flooding. Witnessing the horrors and devastation of the flood left a lasting impact on her.

It was during a conversation with her tuition teacher, Satyapriya Das, that she realized she could make a difference.

Motivated by her teacher and uncle, Anusweta decided to participate in a national-level science competition alongside her friend and partner, Pooja.

They embarked on a journey of brainstorming and testing, experiencing numerous failures along the way.

Anusweta even tested the life jackets herself by tying 15 bottles to her body and floating in the water.

To her surprise, it worked, and she discovered the potential of discarded plastic bottles to save lives.

Their efforts paid off as Anusweta and Pooja made it to the state level of the National Children’s Science Congress and eventually won a silver medal at the India International Innovation and Invention Expo.

To produce the life jackets in bulk, the duo took the help of her school students and teachers.

They distributed 200 life jackets for free to the people stranded in Silchar.

Before distributing the jackets, the rescue team thoroughly tested them to ensure their effectiveness.

So far, she upcycled 400 plastic bags and more than 1,000 plastic bottles to create life jackets.

Anusweta’s innovative solution not only addresses the pressing issue of floods but also contributes to the conservation of the environment by repurposing plastic waste.

Her dedication and compassion made a significant impact on the lives of those affected by natural disasters.

Image Credit: Radulf del Maresme, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plastic_bottles_for_recycling.jpg