Rajan Chakradhar | Upcycle Nepal
How would you describe the past two years?
Being an Asian Beautiful Fellow meant a lot to me and Upcycle Nepal. I never imagined that I’d be able to grow so much, creating upcycled products in Nepal with support from Korea. While Upcycle Nepal had begun gaining traction locally, we needed a stronger foundation ─ operationally, financially, and strategically ─ to scale our impact. I think the Fellowship helped shape the next phase of growth.
The past two years have been a time of growth for me. Writing monthly reports ─ documenting what I’d done and setting goals ─ was especially helpful. I had never consistently documented my work before, so it felt unfamiliar at first. But over time, it became a habit. Now, I naturally reflect on how things have progressed and think about what I should focus on next.
Looking back at the reports, I can clearly see everything I’ve worked on over the past two years. There were things I did well, and things I could have done better. But I came to realize that documentation itself is a way of seeing ourselves more clearly and understanding what we’re actually doing in the present. Through this process, I learned that what truly moves us forward isn’t something grand or dramatic. It’s the accumulation of small, consistent actions. And over time, those small things come together and become the strength that allows us to grow even more.
Professionally, the fellowship enhanced my capacity as both a leader and a strategist. I learned to approach sustainability not simply as an environmental concept, but as an integrated model of business, community, and circular value.
On a personal level, the fellowship marked a turning point. I developed resilience to move forward with hope even in uncertainty, as well as confidence in representing our organization and sharing our stories. Through this journey, I gained a deeper understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses. I also came to realize that sustainable leadership is grounded in long-term thinking, empathy, and the ability to engage and bring people along.
Upcycle Nepal has worked with many different stakeholders, from waste collection to product creation and awareness programs. Are there any memorable examples of change among those you’ve worked with?
Upcycle Nepal’s work has touched many lives ─ from informal waste workers and artisans to urban consumers and local government partners. Our journey has been about transforming waste into opportunity and inspiring individuals to see value where others see waste.
One of the most remarkable stories of change comes from a group of women artisans in Shankharapur who joined our team as part-time fabric sorters and product makers. Many of them were previously unemployed or engaged in irregular daily wage work. Through training in sorting, cutting, and stitching upcycled products, they gained new skills, consistent income, and a renewed sense of pride in their contribution to environmental sustainability.
One participant shared, “I never imagined that the waste fabrics I used to throw away could become something beautiful and useful. Now I feel proud that my hands help reduce waste and support my family.” This story reflects how upcycling can serve as a bridge between environmental action and economic empowerment, especially for women in semi-urban communities.
We have collaborated with various municipalities including Kathmandu, and we have not only improved fabric waste management but also built trust between public institutions and grassroots enterprises. Before our intervention, textile waste was largely unmanaged and often ended up in open dumps. Through awareness campaigns and collection drives, the municipal teams now see the potential for circular economy practices to complement traditional waste systems.
I’ve heard that perceptions around reused clothing in Nepal have been changing recently.
In Nepal, secondhand and resale culture has recently begun to take root. In the past, it was common for people to think that they shouldn’t wear clothes that had belonged to someone else. But that mindset is starting to change, and it’s truly encouraging to see this shift happening.
Since last year, several new thrift stores have opened. They sell not only clothing, but also bags, shoes, and suitcases. While quality control isn’t always very detailed yet ─ many shops simply display items as they come in — I believe this will gradually improve. To me, this change is a positive sign that circular fashion rooted in reuse is beginning to take hold in Nepal, and I’m excited to watch how it continues to evolve.
Interest in Upcycle Nepal has also been growing, especially among younger generations. Through the contents we share on social media, many people express their support, and others tell us they’re glad to have a new option when they want to discard or donate clothing. While there have long been efforts to manage waste such as plastic, paper, and electronic products, textile waste has often been overlooked. That’s why many people tell us, “I’ve been waiting for something like this for a long time,” when they learn about Upcycle Nepal. Some even leave their contact information, saying they’d like to collaborate in the future. Seeing these changes genuinely brings me joy. Although this movement started in Kathmandu, it’s clearly spreading to other regions as well.
Recently, we’ve also begun selling donated clothing that is in like-new condition in our store, as part of an effort to strengthen clothing circulation ─ and the response has been very positive. These include branded items in excellent condition, such as new clothes donated with their tags still on, or garments given away simply because they no longer fit or match someone’s style. Some customers even come to the store just for rescued clothing. One customer remarked, “Buying secondhand here makes me feel like I’m doing something good for the planet ─ and I’ve found some amazing pieces too!”. What started as an experimental idea to resell pre-loved clothes at affordable prices has now become a growing movement promoting reuse and mindful consumption. Through this experience, I realized how environmental awareness can translate into tangible lifestyle changes when communities are given accessible and ethical alternatives.
Driving change is never easy. What has kept you going despite the challenges?
I think what has sustained our journey is knowing that the work we do still has a real impact on people’s lives. We don’t just upcycle clothes that people no longer wear. We also donate wearable clothing to those who need it. When natural disasters such as floods occur, we’ve tried to extend our support beyond clothing by providing food, water, cash, or medical supplies as well.
Knowing that we can positively influence lives is what drives us forward. Everyone faces challenges in life, and we’re no exception. Even so, the process of addressing problems one by one, and allowing ourselves to celebrate both small and big successes continues to motivate us. When difficulties arise, we first try to work through them on our own. If that’s not enough, we reach out for advice. We’re fortunate to have a dedicated group of advisors who provide ongoing support and encouragement. Their guidance such as suggesting new areas to explore or recommending experts to collaborate with has been truly helpful.
Last autumn, we also had the opportunity to go on a study trip to Singapore with support from Beautiful Store. It was something we had hoped to do for a long time. Through this experience, we gained valuable insights by exchanging information and networks with the people we met. Simply being able to connect with others and have conversations about building a better future together was deeply meaningful and inspiring for us.
What initiatives is Upcycle Nepal currently planning?
Now we’re working to expand our impact to more regions. At first, we planned to open our own branches in different areas, but now we’re focusing on collaborating with others to empower them to establish local waste collection systems. We’re not only sharing how to upcycle, but also practical ways to recycle, donate, and downcycle materials.
In the border regions near India, many individuals and small organizations collect and sell waste. There's demand for secondhand clothing in India, and many people sell used clothes there at very low prices, often earning barely enough for their daily subsistence. Because they are not fully aware of the value of what they’re selling, the clothing is often sold too cheaply. That’s why we want to share practical knowledge on how to identify branded items and sort clothing based on quality. That way, they can earn higher incomes, respond more effectively to demand for branded secondhand clothing, and help expand clothing circulation.
We actually provided some simple training, and some people tried applying it right away. One participant even reached out to express gratitude for the sorting methodologies we shared. They used to sort the clothes only by color ㅡ white with white, red with red ㅡ without thinking about quality or the type of clothing. After Upcycle Nepal shared information about clothing types, brands, quality, and how to make a profit, they started sorting clothes more carefully for secondhand sales, not just by color. As a result, they told us their income increased by about 20%. It was really good to hear.
At this early stage, even small impacts can make a big difference. We can’t go everywhere and build circulation systems ourselves, but we can support others in doing it. Change can’t happen through Upcycle Nepal alone, so we’re focusing on collaboration.
What are the long-term goals of Upcycle Nepal?
I believe this connects closely to what I mentioned earlier. Recently, Upcycle Nepal has been focusing on empowering others to recycle and upcycle on their own. The impact of this approach is much greater than what Upcycle Nepal could achieve by working alone. That’s why we’re trying to share practical ways to recycle and reduce waste.
We’ve been invited to various incubation and education programs to provide training, where we’ve met many organizations working in recycling and waste management that are eager to reduce waste. We openly share our experience, vision, challenges and insights from this sector. When these organizations have products of their own, we also support them by introducing those products through our store.
While these kinds of efforts may not always be captured by quantitative metrics in our portfolio, I believe they represent the most meaningful results if they help create greater impact in the world. Reducing waste is a shared responsibility, and lasting change can only be achieved when we work together.
During a recent UNDP program, around 7,000 students from across Pokhara participated, and their passion for learning was truly inspiring. Everyone was taking notes. We encouraged them to share what they learned with their parents and grandparents, and to explain how even small actions, such as avoiding or reducing a single sticker and plastic bag, can make a big difference. For example, if just two people in each student’s family stopped using plastic bags, that alone could save 14,000 plastic bags. Even if only a small number of students remember this and apply it in their daily lives, I believe that’s where real change begins. Students are the ones who will drive change in the future. Realizing the importance of education, we’re now trying to support more people and organizations in practicing reuse in their everyday lives and reducing waste through reuse and upcycling.
As a former fellow, what would you like to say to those considering the Fellowship?
This is the best opportunity. To anyone considering the Fellowship, I wholeheartedly recommend taking the leap. It’s a great program where you’ll meet inspiring fellows and experience meaningful growth over two years.
I think it’s especially valuable for those who are early in their entrepreneurial journey and looking for bigger opportunities and room to grow. Beyond the financial support, the Fellowship offers ongoing support ─ both professionally and emotionally. Taking the time to plan your next two years as a fellow, document your journey, and grow alongside a supportive community is an incredibly great experience. You’ll grow not only as an entrepreneur, but also as a person. And perhaps most importantly, you’ll find a new family away from home in Korea.
Rajan Chakradhar | Upcycle Nepal
How would you describe the past two years?
Being an Asian Beautiful Fellow meant a lot to me and Upcycle Nepal. I never imagined that I’d be able to grow so much, creating upcycled products in Nepal with support from Korea. While Upcycle Nepal had begun gaining traction locally, we needed a stronger foundation ─ operationally, financially, and strategically ─ to scale our impact. I think the Fellowship helped shape the next phase of growth.
The past two years have been a time of growth for me. Writing monthly reports ─ documenting what I’d done and setting goals ─ was especially helpful. I had never consistently documented my work before, so it felt unfamiliar at first. But over time, it became a habit. Now, I naturally reflect on how things have progressed and think about what I should focus on next.
Looking back at the reports, I can clearly see everything I’ve worked on over the past two years. There were things I did well, and things I could have done better. But I came to realize that documentation itself is a way of seeing ourselves more clearly and understanding what we’re actually doing in the present. Through this process, I learned that what truly moves us forward isn’t something grand or dramatic. It’s the accumulation of small, consistent actions. And over time, those small things come together and become the strength that allows us to grow even more.
Professionally, the fellowship enhanced my capacity as both a leader and a strategist. I learned to approach sustainability not simply as an environmental concept, but as an integrated model of business, community, and circular value.
On a personal level, the fellowship marked a turning point. I developed resilience to move forward with hope even in uncertainty, as well as confidence in representing our organization and sharing our stories. Through this journey, I gained a deeper understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses. I also came to realize that sustainable leadership is grounded in long-term thinking, empathy, and the ability to engage and bring people along.
Upcycle Nepal has worked with many different stakeholders, from waste collection to product creation and awareness programs. Are there any memorable examples of change among those you’ve worked with?
Upcycle Nepal’s work has touched many lives ─ from informal waste workers and artisans to urban consumers and local government partners. Our journey has been about transforming waste into opportunity and inspiring individuals to see value where others see waste.
One of the most remarkable stories of change comes from a group of women artisans in Shankharapur who joined our team as part-time fabric sorters and product makers. Many of them were previously unemployed or engaged in irregular daily wage work. Through training in sorting, cutting, and stitching upcycled products, they gained new skills, consistent income, and a renewed sense of pride in their contribution to environmental sustainability.
One participant shared, “I never imagined that the waste fabrics I used to throw away could become something beautiful and useful. Now I feel proud that my hands help reduce waste and support my family.” This story reflects how upcycling can serve as a bridge between environmental action and economic empowerment, especially for women in semi-urban communities.
We have collaborated with various municipalities including Kathmandu, and we have not only improved fabric waste management but also built trust between public institutions and grassroots enterprises. Before our intervention, textile waste was largely unmanaged and often ended up in open dumps. Through awareness campaigns and collection drives, the municipal teams now see the potential for circular economy practices to complement traditional waste systems.
I’ve heard that perceptions around reused clothing in Nepal have been changing recently.
In Nepal, secondhand and resale culture has recently begun to take root. In the past, it was common for people to think that they shouldn’t wear clothes that had belonged to someone else. But that mindset is starting to change, and it’s truly encouraging to see this shift happening.
Since last year, several new thrift stores have opened. They sell not only clothing, but also bags, shoes, and suitcases. While quality control isn’t always very detailed yet ─ many shops simply display items as they come in — I believe this will gradually improve. To me, this change is a positive sign that circular fashion rooted in reuse is beginning to take hold in Nepal, and I’m excited to watch how it continues to evolve.
Interest in Upcycle Nepal has also been growing, especially among younger generations. Through the contents we share on social media, many people express their support, and others tell us they’re glad to have a new option when they want to discard or donate clothing. While there have long been efforts to manage waste such as plastic, paper, and electronic products, textile waste has often been overlooked. That’s why many people tell us, “I’ve been waiting for something like this for a long time,” when they learn about Upcycle Nepal. Some even leave their contact information, saying they’d like to collaborate in the future. Seeing these changes genuinely brings me joy. Although this movement started in Kathmandu, it’s clearly spreading to other regions as well.
Recently, we’ve also begun selling donated clothing that is in like-new condition in our store, as part of an effort to strengthen clothing circulation ─ and the response has been very positive. These include branded items in excellent condition, such as new clothes donated with their tags still on, or garments given away simply because they no longer fit or match someone’s style. Some customers even come to the store just for rescued clothing. One customer remarked, “Buying secondhand here makes me feel like I’m doing something good for the planet ─ and I’ve found some amazing pieces too!”. What started as an experimental idea to resell pre-loved clothes at affordable prices has now become a growing movement promoting reuse and mindful consumption. Through this experience, I realized how environmental awareness can translate into tangible lifestyle changes when communities are given accessible and ethical alternatives.
Driving change is never easy. What has kept you going despite the challenges?
I think what has sustained our journey is knowing that the work we do still has a real impact on people’s lives. We don’t just upcycle clothes that people no longer wear. We also donate wearable clothing to those who need it. When natural disasters such as floods occur, we’ve tried to extend our support beyond clothing by providing food, water, cash, or medical supplies as well.
Knowing that we can positively influence lives is what drives us forward. Everyone faces challenges in life, and we’re no exception. Even so, the process of addressing problems one by one, and allowing ourselves to celebrate both small and big successes continues to motivate us. When difficulties arise, we first try to work through them on our own. If that’s not enough, we reach out for advice. We’re fortunate to have a dedicated group of advisors who provide ongoing support and encouragement. Their guidance such as suggesting new areas to explore or recommending experts to collaborate with has been truly helpful.
Last autumn, we also had the opportunity to go on a study trip to Singapore with support from Beautiful Store. It was something we had hoped to do for a long time. Through this experience, we gained valuable insights by exchanging information and networks with the people we met. Simply being able to connect with others and have conversations about building a better future together was deeply meaningful and inspiring for us.
What initiatives is Upcycle Nepal currently planning?
Now we’re working to expand our impact to more regions. At first, we planned to open our own branches in different areas, but now we’re focusing on collaborating with others to empower them to establish local waste collection systems. We’re not only sharing how to upcycle, but also practical ways to recycle, donate, and downcycle materials.
In the border regions near India, many individuals and small organizations collect and sell waste. There's demand for secondhand clothing in India, and many people sell used clothes there at very low prices, often earning barely enough for their daily subsistence. Because they are not fully aware of the value of what they’re selling, the clothing is often sold too cheaply. That’s why we want to share practical knowledge on how to identify branded items and sort clothing based on quality. That way, they can earn higher incomes, respond more effectively to demand for branded secondhand clothing, and help expand clothing circulation.
We actually provided some simple training, and some people tried applying it right away. One participant even reached out to express gratitude for the sorting methodologies we shared. They used to sort the clothes only by color ㅡ white with white, red with red ㅡ without thinking about quality or the type of clothing. After Upcycle Nepal shared information about clothing types, brands, quality, and how to make a profit, they started sorting clothes more carefully for secondhand sales, not just by color. As a result, they told us their income increased by about 20%. It was really good to hear.
At this early stage, even small impacts can make a big difference. We can’t go everywhere and build circulation systems ourselves, but we can support others in doing it. Change can’t happen through Upcycle Nepal alone, so we’re focusing on collaboration.
What are the long-term goals of Upcycle Nepal?
I believe this connects closely to what I mentioned earlier. Recently, Upcycle Nepal has been focusing on empowering others to recycle and upcycle on their own. The impact of this approach is much greater than what Upcycle Nepal could achieve by working alone. That’s why we’re trying to share practical ways to recycle and reduce waste.
We’ve been invited to various incubation and education programs to provide training, where we’ve met many organizations working in recycling and waste management that are eager to reduce waste. We openly share our experience, vision, challenges and insights from this sector. When these organizations have products of their own, we also support them by introducing those products through our store.
While these kinds of efforts may not always be captured by quantitative metrics in our portfolio, I believe they represent the most meaningful results if they help create greater impact in the world. Reducing waste is a shared responsibility, and lasting change can only be achieved when we work together.
During a recent UNDP program, around 7,000 students from across Pokhara participated, and their passion for learning was truly inspiring. Everyone was taking notes. We encouraged them to share what they learned with their parents and grandparents, and to explain how even small actions, such as avoiding or reducing a single sticker and plastic bag, can make a big difference. For example, if just two people in each student’s family stopped using plastic bags, that alone could save 14,000 plastic bags. Even if only a small number of students remember this and apply it in their daily lives, I believe that’s where real change begins. Students are the ones who will drive change in the future. Realizing the importance of education, we’re now trying to support more people and organizations in practicing reuse in their everyday lives and reducing waste through reuse and upcycling.
As a former fellow, what would you like to say to those considering the Fellowship?
This is the best opportunity. To anyone considering the Fellowship, I wholeheartedly recommend taking the leap. It’s a great program where you’ll meet inspiring fellows and experience meaningful growth over two years.
I think it’s especially valuable for those who are early in their entrepreneurial journey and looking for bigger opportunities and room to grow. Beyond the financial support, the Fellowship offers ongoing support ─ both professionally and emotionally. Taking the time to plan your next two years as a fellow, document your journey, and grow alongside a supportive community is an incredibly great experience. You’ll grow not only as an entrepreneur, but also as a person. And perhaps most importantly, you’ll find a new family away from home in Korea.