Inicio started as a jumble of ideas. Nothing felt quite right.

Our initial idea was a CD Clock

which we gave up on ourselves as it wasn’t really solving any problem! Then we wanted

something impactful, something that resonated with all of us – and with the environment, a

growing concern in our class. We decided to tackle plastic pollution with our product. We all

knew it was a huge problem, but how could a bunch of high schoolers possibly make a dent

in that? That sparked a flurry of brainstorming.

Here are some ideas that we pottered with before we came up with the groundbreaking

concept;

• Pencils made from recycled plastic bottles

• Notebooks with covers from plastic bags

• Organic clothes

• Recycled gloves for hospitals & doctors

We tossed ideas back and forth, each one more exciting than the last. But practicality soon

set in. How would we actually make these things? The cost? The feasibility?

That's when we decided to focus on something smaller, something we could potentially

produce ourselves. School bags! Everyone carries one, and most are made from materials that

end up in landfills anyway.

The idea took flight. We researched existing recycled plastic bags, their durability, and the

production process. We learned about the challenges and limitations, but also the immense

potential. This could be our way to make a difference, one school bag at a time.
We envisioned a bag that wasn't just eco-friendly, but also stylish and functional. We

sketched designs, debated features, and even started exploring ways to collect and process

plastic waste within our school community.

Our initial project proposal barely mentioned the plastic bag idea. It was a side note, a

possibility. But by the time we presented our final plan, Inicio, the eco-friendly backpack

made from recycled plastic, was the star of the show. It wasn't just a product; it was a symbol

of what a group of students could achieve when we combined our passions and concerns for

the environment.

Inico might have started as an EUMIND project, but it became so much more. It became our

way to make a statement, to show that even teenagers can be a force for positive change. And

it all began with a single question: How could we use our education to not just learn, but to

make a real difference in the world? Was it even possible to put an idea and convert it to an

actual business while we were still in school?