Engineer Uses Charkha to Upcycle 7 Lakh Plastic Wrappers Into Beautiful Bags | The Better India

Summary

The video showcases the innovative work of Richard and Amita Deshpande's social enterprise, Re Charca, which is revolutionizing waste management in India. By upcycling 7 lakh plastic packets into yarn and fabric, they've generated a revenue of 70 lakh rupees. The process involves collecting, cleaning, and recycling plastic waste, with a significant portion of the workforce being women from marginalized communities. Amita's vision goes beyond waste collection, aiming to reduce plastic usage through education and sustainable products. The enterprise has successfully turned a social and environmental issue into a thriving business, demonstrating the potential for responsible work to create livelihoods.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Richard from Puna is reviving artistic skills and combating plastic pollution by creating products from discarded chocolate wrappers.
• 💼 Software engineer Amita Despande founded Re Charca, a social enterprise that upcycles plastic waste into valuable products.
• 🔄 Re Charca has upcycled 7 lakh plastic packets into charcoal, generating a revenue of 70 lakh rupees.
• ♻️ The plastic waste is transformed into yarn and then woven into plastic fiber on hand looms, using minimal energy.
• 🌱 The process involves collecting, cleaning, sanitizing, and drying plastic waste before it's sent to a recycling unit for weaving.
• 👥 Richard employs waste pickers and tribals, with 70% of the workforce being women, promoting inclusivity and empowerment.
• 🚫 Amita Despande's mission is to encourage people to stop using plastic, not just collect it.
• 🎥 Initially, selling the products was challenging, but showcasing the entire production process helped change perceptions and increase sales.
• 🛒 The products are now available for purchase online and in retail stores, demonstrating market acceptance.
• 🌐 The entrepreneur's efforts have proven that it's possible to create livelihoods through responsible and sustainable work practices.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of Richard's initiative?

The main purpose of Richard's initiative is to revive artistic skills and help tackle the plastic crisis in the country by upcycling discarded materials.

How does Re Charca contribute to the plastic waste reduction?

Re Charca contributes to plastic waste reduction by upcycling 7 lakh plastic packets into usable products, thereby reducing the amount of plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or the environment.

What is the process of transforming plastic waste into yarn?

The plastic waste is first collected, cleaned, washed, sanitized, and dried. It is then divided by color and sent to a recycling unit where it is spun into yarn using a charkha.

How does the use of charkha and loom in the process help minimize energy usage?

The use of charkha and loom in the process helps minimize energy usage as these traditional tools require less energy compared to industrial machinery, thus reducing the carbon footprint of the production process.

Who are the primary employees of Re Charca?

The primary employees of Re Charca are waste pickers from Pune and tribals from Dadra Nagar Haveli, with 70 percent of the workforce comprising women.

What was the initial challenge faced by Amita Deshpande in selling her products?

The initial challenge faced by Amita Deshpande was that most people and shopkeepers saw no value in her products, as they were made from recycled plastic.

How did Amita Deshpande overcome the initial challenge of selling her products?

Amita Deshpande overcame the challenge by creating a video showcasing the entire process from segregation to the final product, which she played at expos, workshops, and exhibitions to educate and convince potential buyers.

What is the revenue generated by Re Charca from upcycling plastic waste?

Re Charca has generated a revenue of 70 lakh Indian Rupees from upcycling plastic waste.

How does Re Charca collect plastic waste for upcycling?

Re Charca collects plastic waste from individuals and organizations, which is then cleaned, sanitized, and processed for upcycling.

What is the significance of employing waste pickers and tribals in Re Charca's workforce?

Employing waste pickers and tribals in Re Charca's workforce not only provides them with livelihood opportunities but also empowers them by valuing their roles in waste management and environmental conservation.

What message does Amita Deshpande aim to convey through her social enterprise?

Amita Deshpande aims to convey that it is possible to generate livelihoods through responsible work and that upcycling can be a sustainable solution to the plastic crisis.