My name is Yujin Tamang, also known as Sita. I was born and raised in Kakani, and I am the co-founder of the brand Tamang.

At Tamang, we focus on recycling and upcycling discarded materials—especially polythene plastic bags and rice sacks—into functional and meaningful products. Every piece is carefully cleaned, cut, and crocheted by hand, without the use of heat at any stage of the process. From this waste, we create items such as laptop covers, toiletry pouches, and climbing chalk bags. I am especially proud that our chalk bags are among the first in Nepal to be made from recycled plastic, and the fabric we use is also naturally dyed.

My journey began when I was still in school. I remember learning about climate change, and the subject stayed with me deeply. I became increasingly aware of how plastic pollution was damaging our environment and affecting daily life. Even as a child, I started collecting plastic waste instead of throwing it away, although at the time, I did not yet know how I could use it.

Later, as a teenager, I worked with an NGO where I met a volunteer from the Netherlands who introduced me to crocheting with plastic. That experience completely changed my perspective. For the first time, I realized that waste could be transformed into something both useful and beautiful.

In 2023, I turned this idea into a small business. Since then, it has grown slowly and organically, with more people beginning to support and appreciate the work we do. One of the things that makes me happiest is seeing people bring me their plastic waste instead of throwing it away. I once counted more than 200 discarded bread wrappers that had been collected—materials that otherwise would have been burned, adding further pollution to the environment. 

Through Tamang, my goal is not only to create products, but also to raise awareness. I want to encourage people to rethink waste, reduce plastic pollution, and make more conscious choices in their everyday lives. 

For me, this is more than just a business. It is a small but meaningful step toward a cleaner, more responsible future.