Gandhinagar, October 17, 2023 - As India marches towards its mission of a cleaner nation under the Swachh Bharat initiative, one woman’s extraordinary journey has become a beacon of inspiration not just in Gujarat, but around the world.
Fifty-year-old Rajiben Vankar hails from Awadh Nagar, situated near the Bhuj city of Kutch, Gujarat. Leading a team of 50 local women, Vankar has taken the challenge of battling plastic waste by recycling it into fashionable and functional items like shopping bags, mobile covers, yoga mats, and more.
From Weaving Looms to Recycling Rooms
Rajiben’s narrative traces back to when she was just 13. Stricken by her father’s illness, she defied gender norms and learned the traditional male-dominated skill of weaving to support her family. After the untimely death of her husband, she joined the 'Khameer' organization in Kutch to learn plastic recycling.
"In 2012, I began plastic recycling work at Khameer. A foreign designer encouraged me to explore the possibilities of crafting products from recycled plastic," said Vankar. By 2018, after acquiring adequate expertise, she brought her work to her village and involved local women, with a greater vision in mind: to rid the village of plastic waste.
From Collection to Online Collection
The intricate recycling process she helms passes through four stages—collection, cleaning, cutting, and finally, crafting the product. Women ragpickers play a crucial role in this eco-chain, earning a stable income in return for the collected plastic waste.
These eco-friendly products have now penetrated markets across India, including major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. International orders from cities like London are also on the rise.
"We train local women for this work, and we make around 200 shopping bags a month, based on incoming orders," adds Vankar, whose annual turnover has soared to Rs 15 lakh. Among the diverse range of items, shopping bags, office bags, trays, and spectacle covers are the most popular.
Government Amplifies the Cause
The Government of Gujarat, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is committed to environment-friendly policies. The state government has pledged to extend public involvement in this campaign for another two months, taking inspiration from the Swachh Bharat Mission.
This year, in the run-up to Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, a ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ fortnight was celebrated from September 15 to October 15, 2023, with the theme of 'Garbage Free India'.
Rajiben Vankar’s incredible journey not only encapsulates the spirit of a cleaner, greener India but also epitomizes the power of a woman’s resolve to drive change, one recycled bag at a time.
