The waste crisis is a pressing challenge across the globe. Accelerated urban growth, increased consumption, and industrial expansion are overwhelming waste management systems and impacting both ecosystems and communities. To address these issues, innovative thinking, especially from the youth, is essential.

“CustoIDEAns of Tomorrow” is a high-impact Youth Ideation Challenge under the larger framework of the International Recycling Incubation Summit (IRIS). It is designed to empower young minds, spark creativity, cultivate actionable solutions, and promote multigenerational climate leadership in the realm of sustainable waste management and the circular economy.

The ideation challenge is open to youth in the age group of 16-25 years. They are encouraged to find sustainable, strategic, innovative and scalable solutions to the waste management challenges, encompassed by any one of the themes (mentioned below). The entries will be accepted in two categories: Junior (16-20 years) and Senior (21-25 years). Submitted entries will be shortlisted by a review committee. The shortlisted entries will go through another round of screening; top 10 ideas will be selected to represent their schools/ colleges and make digital presentations at the IRIS in New Delhi.

Themes

In our everyday lives, we encounter a variety of waste streams — from textile and e-waste to wet waste, tyres, batteries, medical, sanitary, and household food waste, as well as metals, glass, and construction debris. Much of this waste goes uncollected or unmanaged, preventing it from becoming part of a circular economy where material is reused, repurposed, or regenerated.

As emerging young leaders, innovators, and changemakers, this is your moment to spark creativity, cultivate scalable solutions, and promote intergenerational climate leadership in building a sustainable, waste-resilient future.

Special Highlights

• Digital exhibition space at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi
• Live jury presentations to practitioners, youth icons, and sustainability leaders
• Live simulation round for tie-breakers during the conference
• Mentorship support for shortlisted teams
• International Youth Cohort opportunity via global project partnerships

Who Can Participate?

Youth between the ages of 15 to 25 years, from India and abroad, are invited to participate, in teams of 2 students, in the youth event under the International Recycling Incubation Summit. Entries will be accepted under the two age-based categories: Junior (16-20 years) and Senior (21-25 years).

What to do?

• Identify the problem/ challenge with a particular (currently less or unmanaged) waste stream
• Reimagine waste as a resource
• Design a sustainable and scalable solution to address the issue
• The solution should fit local realities
• Changing mindsets and changing systems may be a part of your solution

Digital Presentation Awards

• The best solutions from each category (Junior & Senior) will be conferred with awards.
• Promising solutions may get an opportunity to receive mentorship support.
• All the winners will be felicitated during the felicitation ceremony on 16th January 2026.
• All participating teams will receive certificate of participation.

Timeline

Activity	Date
Announcement of Ideation Challenge	15 July 2025
Early Bird Registration	15 September 2025
Last date of entry submission	15 October 2025
Screening of entries	30 October 2025
Online presentations & shortlisting	November 2025
Idea Refinement + Optional mentorship + International youth cohort + Proof of successful solution	15 November – 31 December 2025
Final entry submission	10 January 2026
Digital presentation & jury	16 January 2026
Felicitation ceremony	16 January 2026