Re-Kriti turns discarded jeans into new products in Nepal

Nasana Bajracharya grew up in Kathmandu's bustling New Road, witnessing a shift from diverse shops to an overwhelming number of clothing stores. This observation sparked a fundamental question: "Who wears these many clothes?" and what happens to them afterward. Her inquiry into textile waste led to the creation of Re-Kriti, an organization dedicated to upcycling discarded jeans.

Four years on, Re-Kriti has transformed approximately 2,200 kilograms of denim into new products, primarily bags, and has empowered 11 women artisans with income-generating opportunities. Bajracharya recounts the initial challenge of convincing people that products made from recycled fabric could be of high quality, with some customers expecting lower prices due to the material's previous use. "People did think that products made from discarded fabric are of low quality," she notes.

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Who wears these many clothes?

Bajracharya links Nepal's textile waste issue directly to the global fast-fashion industry, characterized by multiplying clothing stores, expanded online shopping, and increased consumption. She argues that simply donating unwanted clothes often transfers the problem elsewhere, as charity and thrift stores can become overwhelmed with items that lack demand. Re-Kriti offers an alternative by providing a new purpose for these materials.

The organization processes used denim, washing and sorting it before cutting and stitching it into new items. While early efforts could only utilize 60-70% of a pair of jeans, Re-Kriti now upcycles about 95%, repurposing even small pieces like pockets into wallets and key rings. Only zippers and upper belt sections remain challenging to repurpose. The initiative deliberately collaborates with local women artisans, particularly home-based tailors, offering them sewing and vocational training.

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People did think that products made from discarded fabric are of low quality.