Transforming waste and women’s lives in Bhutan
Anisha Rai
Chogyal Lhamo did not set out to change the world. She wanted to address the growing waste issue in the country. But then, she found out that she could do more than just manage waste—empower women.
Today, the 48-year-old entrepreneur from Trongsa is quietly transforming the country’s waste problem into a project of hope for women across the country.
Driven by the need to support her family, Chogyal Lhamo started as a scrap dealer in 2008.
Chogyal Lhamo
What might have been a modest livelihood for many became, in her hands, a catalyst for change. With every discarded plastic bottle and scrap of waste she collected, she saw potential—not just for the environment, but for the marginalised women who, like her, needed an opportunity to thrive.
Her turning point came during training with the Tarayana Foundation, where she learned to upcycle waste into products of value. That’s when she shifted the focus from waste collection to teaching women to create products from plastic.
“For me it was not just about recycling, it was about creating livelihoods,” says Chogyal Lhamo.
Her early efforts helped one woman earn between Nu 3,000 and 4,000 a month—proof that economic empowerment could grow from sustainability. “This small victory inspired me empower more women and transform lives” she says.
By 2016, Chogyal Lhamo had established Women Westerly Cycle, focusing on empowering women while tackling the country’s mounting waste crisis.
Her efforts did not go unnoticed as she was honoured with the prestigious SAARC Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the year 2018.
Building on the success of Women Westerly Cycle, she founded SHE-Cycle Solution, a venture that blends waste collection, recycling, and women’s empowerment in one powerful package.
SHE-Cycle Solution operates on a foundation of shared responsibility and community support. Women in each district contribute Nu 100 monthly to a joint account, providing a financial safety net for emergencies. The initiative also offers soft loans, enabling women to start small businesses.
With a mission to train women to become leaders and entrepreneurs, SHE-Cycle Solution has helped women enhance their skills and generate income.
“Initially, I worked with employed women but soon realised that unemployed and single women were most in need of this opportunity,” says Chogyal Lhamo.
That’s when she expanded her reach, touching the lives of more than 1,500 women across 10 dzongkhags and three gewogs.
Recently, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment provided three machines to enhance production, taking her mission to the next level.
With support from the National Advisory Committee, SHE-Cycle Solution has trained 50 students during their school holidays. The 21-day programme helped children discover new skills and unplug from technology.
“Initially, the children were uninterested but soon enjoyed learning new skills,” she says. “We hope to extend the training to children with special needs.”
The women trained through SHE-Cycle now produce eco-friendly goods crafted from recycled plastic, which are marketed to tourists and promoted on platforms like Facebook and TikTok.
What started with an initial investment of nearly Nu 1 million has now become a self-sustaining venture. Many materials are now provided for free, allowing her to focus on growing the business.
She currently employs a dedicated team of four staff members, including Kuenzang Dorji, a 40-year-old project manager, and key team members Tshewang Lhamo, 36, Sonam Zangmo, 36, and Junu Darjee, 34, each playing a vital role in the company’s success.
Though manual production remains at the core of her operation, she has ambitious plans for the future.
Over the next five to ten years, she plans to invest in advanced machinery to improve product quality, increase efficiency, and meet growing demand. These upgrades promise to scale her mission without losing sight of the initiative’s core values: empowering women, fostering sustainability, and building resilient communities.