CONNECTOR.AE 54 CONNECTOR.AE 55 Lifestyle Lifestyle Richa Bansal: Championing Sustainability In The UAE According to the United Nations, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all Member States in 2015, outlines a shared vision for global prosperity while preserving the planet for future generations. At its core are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including sustainable cities and communities. Emphasising the significance of sustainable living amidst climate change and environmental challenges, it calls for immediate action. and educating youth about the importance of becoming responsible environmental ambassadors, teaching them what zero waste means, why single-use plastics are a concern, and the significance of sustainable practices.” Sustainability First Began At Home Richa ensured her family embraced sustainable practices before educating the youth and establishing her business. When she first encountered buzzwords like ‘zero waste’ and ‘eco-friendly’, she realised she needed to understand and adopt these principles herself. “Before I teach others,” she thought, “let me walk the talk.” Through thorough research, Richa identified recycling challenges in the UAE and grasped the harmful effects of single-use plastics, and took proactive steps to educate her children about these issues, laying the foundation for what would later become Ecobee, initially an awareness initiative. Recently, Connector spokewithRichaBansal, a sustainability advocate and founder of Ecobee, a Dubai-based company established in 2022. Originally from Delhi, India, and educated in Lagos, Nigeria, Richa moved to Dubai in 2012. With a gold medal in applied psychology and an MBA, she transitioned into entrepreneurship during the pandemic, passionately creating sustainable solutions for individuals and businesses. How Did The Sustainable Journey Begin Starting a sustainable company is one thing, but Richa’s journey began with a different path: education and personal commitment to sustainability. As a mother of two, her journey started with her daughter’s school project on recycling. Richa, who had always dreamed of entrepreneurship, was taken aback when her daughter asked for 100 newspapers without fully understanding the concept of recycling. Shortly after, someone in her neighbourhood requested 100 plastic bottles for a zero-waste drive, leaving Richa puzzled once again about the true meaning behind these terms. This realisation prompted her to undertake extensive research into sustainability and its implications for our future. Adding to this she says, “After hearing these words, it struck me that today’s youth are inundated with buzzwords like zero waste, recycling, sustainability, eco-friendly, without truly grasping their meaning. Schools attempt to educate, but without a deeper understanding and long-term perspective on environmental issues, real change won’t happen. This realisation inspired me to create a business focused on raising awareness
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