Sustainable waste management remains a key concern worldwide when addressing the broader environmental challenge. Different approaches have been tried and tested for long-term redressal, but “Recycling” remains to be the most sustainable of the solutions. The recycling methodology not only reduces wastage but is known to generate livelihood for millions. Bringing this practice to rural India, the Khushaal Bachpan program organised a workshop for village women and youth to harness their skills in the art of recycling.

The Trash to Treasure workshop primarily focuses on empowering youth women in the village by offering them livelihood opportunities. The workshop was organized in two villages of Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh, and included 64 participants who trained on innovative upcycling methods of transforming discarded items into valuable ones. Women in the village learned to upcycle materials such as tires, cardboard boxes, tin cans, and other waste into practical items like planters, stools, storage boxes, pen stands, and more. These crafted products can then be sold by the women, not only providing an avenue for their income but also contributing to the creation of a sustainable environment. The workshop aims to blend economic empowerment with environmental consciousness.

This workshop was held on 22 and 23rd November 2023 in two villages with women and adolescents. The goal of the workshop was to foster awareness and promote the adoption of sustainable waste management practices among participants, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment, and cultivating a culture of creativity and sustainability in children, adolescents, youth, and caregivers by highlighting the resourceful potential of waste materials.

As the workshop started, conversations focused on waste material management, emphasizing how the event aimed to generate livelihood opportunities. Participants were introduced to the stories of women who sustain themselves by crafting products from discarded materials in turn motivating them to look forward to learning from this workshop. The women were then divided into five groups, each assigned a specific material such as cardboard, paints, glue, and scissors. The trainer led the participants through the process, providing step-by-step guidance on crafting pen stands and organizers. Additionally, the importance of patience in achieving high-quality product finishes and ensuring their durability was highlighted.

The women expressed genuine interest in the workshop, posing numerous questions that confirmed their eagerness to actively participate in and continue with the sessions. One of the women said, (“I enjoyed participating in this workshop very much. We women have got such an opportunity for the first time. We will give our whole life in this for our children and our family.”

On the way forward, it is understandable that a single-day workshop may not be sufficient to establish robust livelihood opportunities. Nevertheless, those women who earnestly apply the skills acquired during the workshop and demonstrate a commitment to producing quality goods are likely to receive substantial assistance.