Gandhinagar: To commemorate the nationwide cleanliness campaign, 2nd October is observed as ‘Swachh Bharat Diwas’. As we move towards the Swachh Bharat mission, the story of a woman from Kutch serves as an inspiration to all. Through her campaign to rid villages of plastic waste, she has not only established herself as a AtmaNirbhar woman in Gujarat but has also gained recognition internationally.

We’re talking about Rajiben Vankar, a 50-year-old resident of Avadhnagar near Bhuj in the Kutch district of Gujarat. Rajiben specializes in recycling plastic waste to create stylish and practical everyday items like shopping bags, purses, mobile covers, trays, yoga mats, files, and spectacle cases. She’s joined by a team of 50 women who handle diverse tasks, from cutting materials to final product assembly.

At the age of 13, Rajiben witnessed her father falling ill, which prompted her to take up weaving to help her family. She ventured into a traditionally male-dominated profession to provide for her loved ones. Following her husband’s death a few years into their marriage, she took the family’s financial responsibilities and began finding local weaving opportunities. Her introduction to plastic recycling came about when she joined the Khamir organization in Kutch.

Rajiben recounts, “In the past, I was engaged in knitting work at an NGO called Khamir. It was during my time there that a foreign woman designer inspired me to create recycled plastic products.” In 2012, Rajiben initiated plastic recycling within this organization. Following comprehensive training in 2018, she extended this work to her village, uniting local women. Her vision was to rid villages of plastic waste through recycling, and she combined this mission with her work.

Recycling process: From picking up waste picking to final product

The process consists of four stages. Initially, plastic is gathered, followed by cleaning and drying. Next, the plastic strips are cut, and finally, products are crafted from them. The women supply Rajiben with the collected plastic waste and receive a fixed remuneration. Working with Rajiben, these women now earn approximately Rs 6000 per month. The resulting products are also available on various online platforms and have made their way to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, and even international destinations like London.

Rajiben mentions, “Our goal is to empower women to become part of this initiative.” Women from nearby areas like Madhapar, Bhujodi, and Lakhpat have also joined our team. We produce approximately 200 shopping bags each month and operate based on customer orders. Our production utilizes ten handlooms and two sewing machines, leading to an annual turnover of Rs 15 lakh. Popular items in our product line include shopping bags, office bags, trays, and spectacle covers. Rajiben takes pride in the fact that her work not only promotes cleanliness but also contributes to environmental preservation and raises awareness among the community. DeshGujarat