Zero Waste Ladakh

OBJECTIVE: The Zero Waste Period programme aims to reduce menstrual waste in Ladakh by empowering women with information on reusable period cups and provide them access to cups at subsidised costs. We collaborate with local authorities to reach out to women in rural areas by organising awareness camps.

ACTIVITIES: We pitched the project to local authorities who helped us prepare the outreach roster on the basis of Blocks and Panchayats. In collaboration with each of the Block Development Officers and the Sarpanch (village head), we scheduled the awareness camps village by village. At the awareness camp, we provide education about the biological process of menstruation and the harmful effects of pads on our health and the environment. We spread awareness about the menstrual cup as a hygienic and environment-friendly alternative and sell menstrual cups on the spot.

OBJECTIVE: The textile waste upcycling programme aims to create value out of waste by empowering local communities through skill workshops on upcycling, providing them free access to sewing equipment and finding opportunities for marketing their products.

ACTIVITIES: The skill workshops include 8 weeks of tailoring training, learning about various fabric compositions and how to repair and maintain sewing machines. The participants have access to sewing machines for a year after the workshop to create products out of waste. During that time we continue to provide them guidance on products and help them find a fair market for selling their products.