Empowering Change: How One Woman Is Transforming Waste into a Future for Women

When Chogyal Lhamo began collecting scrap metal and discarded plastics in 2008 to support her family, she never imagined that her humble efforts would spark a nationwide movement. Now a 48-year-old entrepreneur from Trongsa, Lhamo has reshaped how Bhutan confronts its mounting waste problem—transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for women across the nation.

Lhamo’s journey began as a simple endeavor to earn a living as a scrap dealer. As she navigated the streets and markets, however, she perceived a hidden potential in every piece of discarded material. “I saw that each plastic bottle and scrap wasn’t just waste; it was a chance to create something valuable,” she recalls. This observation set her on a new path—one that would later merge sustainability with social empowerment.

A turning point arrived during a training session with the Tarayana Foundation. There, she learned innovative ways to upcycle waste into marketable products. Lhamo recalls, “For me, it was not just about recycling; it was about creating livelihoods.” Inspired by the success of one of her early initiatives—where a single woman earned between Nu 3,000 and 4,000 a month—Lhamo realized that environmental stewardship could be a powerful tool to uplift marginalized women.

By 2016, her vision materialized into the launch of Women Westerly Cycle, an initiative dedicated not only to waste management but also to empowering women economically. The project quickly gained attention, and in 2018 Lhamo was honoured with the prestigious SAARC Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award, recognizing her innovation and community impact.

Building on this momentum, she introduced SHE-Cycle Solution—a comprehensive model that integrates waste collection, recycling, and women’s empowerment. The venture is founded on the spirit of shared responsibility and community support. In each district, local women contribute Nu 100 monthly to a joint account, creating a financial cushion for emergencies, while also accessing soft loans to launch their own small businesses.

“Initially, I worked with employed women, but I soon realized that unemployed and single women needed this opportunity the most,” Lhamo explains. Today, her initiatives have reached over 1,500 women in 10 dzongkhags and three gewogs, turning the waste crisis into a blueprint for socio-economic resilience.

The local government has also taken notice. In a bid to support sustainable industry practices, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment recently provided three machines to improve production capabilities. These technological enhancements promise to refine product quality, boost efficiency, and meet an increasing demand for eco-friendly goods—many of which are now sold to tourists and promoted on digital platforms like Facebook and TikTok.

Education and community development also lie at the heart of Lhamo’s mission. With backing from the National Advisory Committee, SHE-Cycle Solution has initiated a school holiday programme that trains 50 students over a 21-day course. Initially met with hesitation, the programme has gradually captured the interest of young participants who are now learning valuable skills and taking a break from screen time. Future plans include extending this training to children with special needs, further broadening the initiative’s social impact.

What started with an investment of nearly Nu 1 million has evolved into a self-sustaining enterprise with a dedicated team that includes project manager Kuenzang Dorji and team members Tshewang Lhamo, Sonam Zangmo, and Junu Darjee. Though the production remains predominantly manual for now, Lhamo has ambitious plans to invest in advanced machinery over the next five to ten years. Such upgrades are aimed at scaling her mission while preserving the core values of women’s empowerment, sustainability, and community resilience.

Chogyal Lhamo’s journey from a humble scrap dealer to a pioneering social entrepreneur is a testament to the transformative power of innovation and determination. Her work not only addresses a critical environmental challenge but also paves the way for a future where women can thrive as leaders and creators in their own right. As Bhutan continues to navigate the complexities of modern waste management, Lhamo’s vision offers a hopeful reminder that change often begins with a single, determined individual willing to see opportunity in the discarded remnants of the past.

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