Hello everyone,

I am Rushil, a freshman at Palm Desert High School in Coachella Valley, California.  Growing up in this windy desert, I frequently noticed foul odors emanating from the nearby Salton Sea , which prompted my interest in its poor air quality and the health impacts it has on desert communities of Coachella Valley.  In addition to the Salton Sea, many landfills, recycling, and waste disposal facilities are located in our vicinity. These facilities often face hazardous accidents, such as the 2019 Sun Valley Recycling facility fire, which led to school closures in the area. This incident in particular made me question the benefits of recycling, as well as those of other waste disposal processes. Upon further research, through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Europe-based Ellen MacArthur Foundation, I came across the concept of a "Circular Economy"  and discovered it's potential impact on Environmental Justice in underserved communities such as the Eastern Coachella Valley.

Understanding the principles of a circular economy has shown me that significant environmental, social, and economic issues can be effectively addressed through the thoughtful mapping and design of products, programs, and policies. This insight has inspired me to start my initiative. 

Please support and engage with us to utilize YI4CE as a platform towards achieving our mission.