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

The Better India

12 Aug 202202:15

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Reviving Art and Tackling Plastic Crisis

The script introduces Richard from Puna, who is using discarded chocolate and Maggie wrappers to create beautiful products, thereby reviving artistic skills and addressing the plastic crisis. It also highlights the social enterprise 'Re Charca' founded by software engineer Amita Deshpande, which has upcycled 700,000 plastic packets into charcoal, generating a revenue of 70 lakh rupees. The process involves spinning plastic waste into yarn on a charkha and weaving it into plastic fiber on hand looms, minimizing energy use. Re Charca collects and processes plastic waste, and Richard employs waste pickers and tribals, with women making up 70% of the workforce. Initially, selling the products was challenging, but by showcasing the production process, they have successfully started selling online and in retail stores. Amita Deshpande's mission is to encourage people to stop using plastic and create livelihoods through responsible work.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Upcycled

Upcycling is the process of transforming waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value. In the context of the video, 'upcycled' refers to the innovative reuse of plastic waste to create valuable products, which is central to the theme of combating the plastic crisis and promoting sustainability.

💡Charca

Charca is a term derived from 'charkha,' which is a spinning wheel used in India for spinning yarn. In the video, 'Charca' is used to describe the social enterprise founded by Amita Deshpande, which specializes in upcycling plastic waste into yarn and fabric. This term is significant as it represents the fusion of traditional spinning techniques with modern environmental consciousness.

💡Plastic Crisis

The plastic crisis refers to the environmental and ecological problems caused by the overuse and improper disposal of plastic materials. The video highlights the efforts of individuals and organizations to address this crisis by repurposing plastic waste, thereby reducing its negative impact on the environment.

💡Yarn

Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibers, suitable for weaving, knitting, and other forms of textile production. In the video, plastic waste is spun into yarn, which is then used to create fabric, showcasing a practical application of upcycling and the transformation of waste into a usable material.

💡Hand Looms

Hand looms are traditional textile production tools used for weaving fabric. The video mentions the use of hand looms to weave plastic fiber, emphasizing a return to more sustainable and less energy-intensive methods of production, which is a key aspect of the environmental message conveyed.

💡Waste Pickers

Waste pickers are individuals who collect and sort waste, often from landfills or streets, to recycle or sell. The video highlights the employment of waste pickers from Puna and tribals from Dadra and Nagar Haveli, indicating an inclusive approach to waste management and providing livelihood opportunities for marginalized communities.

💡Revenue

Revenue refers to the income generated from the sale of goods or services. The video mentions that the social enterprise has earned a revenue of rupees 70 lakh, demonstrating the economic viability of upcycling and the potential for sustainable businesses to be financially successful.

💡Plastic Waste

Plastic waste refers to the discarded materials made of plastic that are not recycled or disposed of properly. The video discusses the collection and processing of plastic waste, emphasizing the importance of proper waste management and the potential for waste to be a resource rather than a problem.

💡Recycling Unit

A recycling unit is a facility where materials are processed to be reused in the production of new goods. In the video, the plastic waste is sent to a recycling unit to be woven, illustrating the infrastructure necessary for upcycling and the role of such units in the waste management process.

💡Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur is an individual who organizes and operates a business, taking on financial risks to do so. Amita Deshpande is described as an entrepreneur in the video, highlighting her role in creating a business model that addresses environmental issues while also generating income.

💡Eco Warrior

An eco warrior is a term used to describe someone who actively fights for environmental causes. The video refers to Amita Deshpande as an 'eco warrior,' emphasizing her commitment to environmental protection and her efforts to promote sustainable practices through her business.

Highlights

Beautiful products are made from discarded Maggie and chocolate wrappers.

Puna-based Richard is reviving artistic skills and helping tackle the plastic crisis.

Software engineer Amita Deshpande's social enterprise, Re Charca, has upcycled 7 lakh plastic packets using charcoal.

Re Charca has earned a revenue of Rupees 70 lakh from upcycled plastic waste.

Plastic waste is spun into yarn on a charkha, then woven into plastic fiber on hand looms.

The use of charcoal and loom minimizes energy used in processing techniques.

Recharge collects plastic waste from individuals and organizations, then cleans, washes, sanitizes, and dries it.

Plastic is sorted by color and sent to a recycling unit to be woven.

Richard employs waste pickers from Puna and tribals from Dadra Nagar Haveli.

70 percent of the workforce in this initiative comprises women.

Founder Amita Deshpande aimed to prevent plastic use rather than just collecting waste.

Initially, selling the products was challenging as most people did not see their value.

Amita made a video showcasing the entire process to educate and market the products.

People started buying the products online and at retail stores after being exposed to the process.

The entrepreneur and eco-warrior has demonstrated the potential for generating livelihoods through responsible work.