Leading the charge is Chogyel Lhamo, a pioneering female entrepreneur who founded Green Bhutan Waste Management and Women Recycling in Bhutan, a community-based organization (CBO) focused on sustainable waste management and women’s empowerment.

Driven by a deep commitment to both the environment and her community, Chogyel Lhamo started the organization with a clear mission: to create cleaner, greener, and more self-sufficient communities across Bhutan. Her work combines two major goals — protecting the environment through proper waste management and creating economic opportunities for women.

“We believe in building a community where every member, especially women, plays a role in creating a cleaner and more conscious Bhutan,” says Chogyel.

The organization works on the ground by collecting, sorting, and recycling waste materials such as plastics, paper, glass, and metal. The waste is either reused, sold to recyclers, or turned into eco-friendly products. This reduces the harmful impact of waste on the environment, public health, and Bhutan’s pristine natural beauty.

But this is not just about waste — it’s about women, too.

Chogyel’s initiative also provides employment, training, and income-generating opportunities for women in Trongsa and nearby areas. Many of the women involved were previously unemployed or underemployed. Now, they are gaining new skills, earning income, and becoming proud contributors to their families and communities.

“We are not just cleaning the streets; we are giving women a chance to stand on their own feet,” says one of the group’s members.

The impact is visible. Streets are cleaner. Public awareness around waste disposal has improved. And the women involved in the program are more confident and financially independent.

Green Bhutan Waste Management and Women Recycling in Bhutan also conducts awareness campaigns in schools, local events, and community gatherings. They educate people about proper waste disposal, the importance of recycling, and the role each person can play in protecting the environment.

Their model of combining environmental protection with social development is gaining attention beyond Trongsa. Similar groups in other Dzongkhags have reached out for support, training, and guidance. Chogyel hopes to expand the initiative further, so more women and communities can benefit.

“We started small, but the idea is big. Waste is not useless — with the right approach, it can become a resource and a source of hope,” Chogyel says.

At a time when Bhutan faces growing concerns over waste pollution and unemployment, especially among women, Chogyel Lhamo’s work stands out as a beacon of innovation and compassion.

Through Green Bhutan Waste Management and Women Recycling in Bhutan, she is showing the country — and the world — that when women lead and communities come together, real change is not just possible, it is already happening.