Amita Deshpande sheds light on trends in upcycling plastic

The Association of Designers of India (ADI) inaugurated the 18th edition of Pune Design Fest at the Hyatt Regency on 1 March, 2024. The sessions were curated for aspiring design students and design professionals across India. 

Under the empathy and innovation umbrella, a start-up highlighted the Indian craft of hand looming. ReCharkha upcycles chips and cookie packets into daily use fashionable bags and items.

Deshpande discussed ReCharkha EcoSocial, a venture providing livelihood opportunities for tribal women and youth through the manual weaving of fabric from waste plastic using traditional charkhas (spindles) and handlooms. Deshpande emphasised the importance of design and circular fashion in upcycling plastic and enhancing overall waste management efforts.

Team ReCharkha collects metPET packets, washes and sun dries them. These packets are then cut into plastic strips and later used to make bags.  They also perform the craft of origami basketry on these plastics to make bags.  

Deshpande also discussed Zero Waste Tadoba project, focusing on its clean-up drives and initiatives, which have garnered active participation from local volunteers