From plastic waste to campus landmark: NEHU unveils welcome sign made from recycled plastic

Shillong, June 6: What was once plastic waste scattered across the campus of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) now greets visitors at its entrance.

In a unique recycling initiative, nearly 80 kilograms of plastic waste collected from the university campus have been transformed into a new “WELCOME TO NEHU” sign installed at Gate No. 1, offering a visible example of how waste can be converted into useful infrastructure.

The project was led by Shillong-based recycling startup ECO-RI, which partnered with NEHU to collect, process and repurpose plastic waste generated within the campus. Students, hostels, academic departments and residential quarters participated in the collection drive by segregating and contributing plastic waste.

The collected plastic was recycled into durable plastic sheets, which were then used to manufacture the welcome signage. As part of the initiative, the Design Innovation Centre (DIC), NEHU, in collaboration with ECO-RI, also handed over dustbins made from recycled plastic waste for installation across the university campus.

According to ECO-RI, the project was designed to demonstrate what happens after waste is segregated and recovered. The organisation noted that most people never see the journey of waste beyond the dustbin, making recycling appear distant and abstract.

“What makes this project special is that the sign is not just a piece of infrastructure—it is a visible demonstration of the circular economy in action,” the organisation said.

ECO-RI, which converts plastic waste into furniture, home décor products and public utilities, has been working with educational institutions across Meghalaya to promote waste segregation and recycling.

The initiative received support from NEHU’s Office of the Dean of Students’ Welfare (DSW).
For the university, the new entrance sign serves as more than a landmark. It stands as a reminder that materials often considered waste can become valuable resources when properly segregated and recycled.

As Meghalaya grapples with growing waste-management challenges, the NEHU project offers a practical example of how institutions can turn plastic waste into durable public assets rather than sending it to landfills.

Also Read: Meghalaya pushes for honey testing labs, bee corridors to boost rural economy

Also Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Kaziranga now hosts nearly half of India’s birds of prey

Meghalaya leads the border race