Pankti Pandey Wins Ecopreneur Award for Sustainability Advocacy

From ISRO Scientist to Sustainability Educator: How Ecopreneur Award Winner Pankti Pandey is Driving Change

For years, sustainability was often seen as the domain of politicians, corporations, and global summits, leaving the average person feeling disconnected from the fight against climate change. But for Pankti Pandey, the journey towards sustainability began not in a boardroom or laboratory but within the confines of her own home.

Pankti’s career trajectory is nothing short of remarkable. From working as a Project Manager for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission to becoming one of India’s most prominent sustainability educators, she has redefined how individuals can contribute to environmental change. Her platform, Zero Waste Adda, focuses on practical, low-waste living solutions, and her efforts recently earned her the prestigious “Times Internet Ecopreneur Award” in 2025.

The Times Internet Ecopreneur Award is India’s first initiative dedicated to recognizing individuals and businesses driving tangible environmental change through innovative and community-focused actions. It celebrates those who prove that sustainable practices can coexist with scalable, successful businesses.

Before her transition into sustainability advocacy, Pankti spent 14 years as a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), working on cutting-edge space missions and engineering systems. However, it was the everyday waste she observed in her household that sparked her shift towards sustainable living.

Determined to make a difference, Pankti began experimenting with small, practical changes at home. She switched to reusable containers, started composting kitchen waste, reduced plastic usage, and explored non-toxic, natural cleaning alternatives. These efforts laid the foundation for Zero Waste Adda, a platform that promotes conscious consumption, composting, slow fashion, and climate-friendly habits.

Her philosophy is simple yet impactful: “When you buy less and use things longer, fewer resources are extracted, less energy is used, fewer emissions are released,” she told *The Hindu*. By encouraging people to focus on their choices rather than feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the problem, Pankti has made sustainable living accessible and relatable.

This grassroots approach is exactly what the Times Internet Ecopreneur Award seeks to highlight. The award recognizes individuals and businesses simplifying sustainability, fostering community action, and proving that environmental responsibility and business growth can go hand in hand.

Pankti’s work has garnered significant recognition, including the “National Green Champion Creator” title at the 2024 National Creators Award, where she was honored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for using social media to inspire eco-friendly living.

By combining her scientific expertise with a passion for sustainability, Pankti Pandey is not only driving change but also empowering others to do the same—one small step at a time.