Wastepaper or fodder for new creations?

In Nepal, where waste is often seen as an endpoint, sisters Aruna Lacoul and Muna Shrestha found the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. Their organization, Jamarko, breathes new life into discarded paper, transforming it into handmade paper products and championing sustainability.

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We were observing the growing environmental burden of waste around us and felt compelled to respond in a practical way. We had limited capital, but strong intent, and we explored small, feasible interventions.

Motivated by the growing environmental burden of waste, the sisters sought a practical solution. They identified paper as a manageable and abundant recyclable material. Their endeavor involved extensive research, attending workshops, visiting paper factories, and months of experimentation, often learning recycling techniques from scratch in a country where the concept was not yet widespread.

"The moment it became real was when we successfully transformed discarded paper into handmade paper sheets and saw that waste could become something beautiful and useful," they recall. This pivotal moment led to the establishment of Jamarko, a name derived from a Nepali word meaning 'effort' or 'earnest attempt,' reflecting their philosophy of making a meaningful contribution through personal endeavor.

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The moment it became real was when we successfully transformed discarded paper into handmade paper sheets and saw that waste could become something beautiful and useful.

Jamarko's initial workshop in Baluwatar served not only as a production space but also as an educational hub. They welcomed schoolchildren and international students to learn about recycling and upcycling processes. However, the journey was arduous. The founders shared in a handwritten note that "Only after five years of struggle, managing all the twists and turns, obstacles and financial problems, working voluntarily and spending out of our own pockets to meet expenses, Jamarko sustained itself."

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The name was chosen because they never believed they could solve Nepal’s waste problem alone. Instead, they wanted to make a meaningful contribution through their own effort.

Despite the challenges, Jamarko's commitment to giving discarded paper a new story persists. The process begins with meticulous sorting to remove staples, plastic coatings, and other contaminants, paving the way for the creation of valuable and beautiful new products from what was once considered mere waste.

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Only after five years of struggle, managing all the twists and turns, obstacles and financial problems, working voluntarily and spending out of our own pockets to meet expenses, Jamarko sustained itself.