Opportunity brief
Re-City: Decode Waste, Redesign Cities
About the Event
Ecosperity, the Environment Club, Department of Environmental Studies at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, University of Delhi, proudly presents Re-City: Decode Waste, Redesign Cities under ECOTHON'27. The theme for ECOTHON'27 is Rethinking the Remains: From Waste to Worth, From Problem to Possibility, emphasizing sustainable waste management practices and innovative solutions to environmental challenges.
The competitive event aims to encourage students to understand urban waste-management challenges, critically analyze existing systems, and propose innovative, practical, and sustainable solutions. The event consists of an online quiz, followed by a city-based case study presentation by the qualifying teams.
Objective
To encourage participants to undertake a comprehensive analysis of waste management challenges in a city of their choice, evaluate existing waste management systems and identify critical gaps in their implementation. Participants are expected to propose innovative, evidence-based and context-specific solutions that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially inclusive. The event seeks to foster analytical thinking, strategic problem-solving and practical decision-making towards developing effective and sustainable urban waste management frameworks.
Who Can Participate?
Students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies from all streams and institutions. Students can participate individually or in teams of up to 3 members
Structure of the Event:
Round 1: Online Screening (via Unstop)
Objective: To assess participants' knowledge and understanding of waste management and sustainability
- Format: Online quiz
- Areas covered: Waste Management, Sustainability, Waste Segregation, Recycling, Waste Disposal and other related environmental issues
- Shortlisted candidates qualify for the final round
- It is mandatory to attempt the quiz with the same name as in registration. Only qualified applicants will move to the next round
- https://forms.gle/kg4FeTQEWDYeiDzJ6
- Deadline for the quiz: 31st October, 2026; 11:59PM
Round 2: On-Campus Presentation at SGGSCC (Final Round)
Objective: To evaluate participants' ability to critically analyse a city's solid waste management system, identify key challenges and their root causes, and develop practical, evidence-based solutions for sustainable waste management.
The competitive event will be conducted as a city-based case analysis. Teams are expected to:
- Choose a city and research its solid waste management situation using authentic sources
- Identify the major waste-related challenges and analyze their root causes
- Evaluate relevant existing systems, policies, infrastructure, and practices
- Develop targeted, evidence-based solutions and explain how they can be implemented
- Present the analysis and recommendations in an 8-10 slide PowerPoint presentation
Presentation guidelines:
- Teams must refer to credible and authentic sources to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their research, data and findings. All sources must be appropriately cited in the presentation
- Proposed solutions must be tailored to the specific waste management challenges of the selected city and supported by relevant evidence
- Teams are encouraged to incorporate charts, graphs, maps, tables and infographics wherever appropriate to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of their presentation
- Each team will be allotted 8 minutes to present its analysis and recommendations, followed by a 2-minute Q&A session
- The presentation must comprise 8-10 slides, excluding any reference slide, if applicable. Teams must submit their presentations by 2 November 2026
- Participants are advised to keep a backup copy of their presentation to avoid last-minute technical difficulties
Evaluation Criteria:
The presentations will be evaluated on the following parameters:
- Problem Identification and Analysis (25%) - Clarity in identifying the city's major waste management challenges and analysing their root causes
- Innovation and Originality (20%) - Creativity, uniqueness, and relevance of the proposed solutions
- Feasibility and Implementation (25%)-Practicality, financial viability, implementation planning, and potential for long-term success
- Environmental and Social Impact (15%) - Potential to reduce waste, improve resource recovery, and benefit the city's residents and environment
- Presentation and Q&A (15%) - Organisation, clarity, effective use of visuals, communication, and ability to defend the proposed recommendations
General Rules And Regulations
- All statistics, facts, images, and external material must be appropriately cited
- Teams must decide the use of AI generated material if required by the organisers. AI use must not involve fabricated data or sources
- Participants must maintain professional conduct during both rounds
- In case of a tie in the final scores, the tie-breaking procedure announced by the organisers will apply
- The organising committee's decision regarding eligibility, qualification and rule violation will be final, subject to the published competitive event
Prizes and Recognition:
- 1st Prize: Rs. 2500
- 2nd Prize: Rs. 2000
- 3rd Prize: Rs. 1500