It was the 1990s, and Dharamshala’s waste problem was increasing day by day. Tourists and increasing number of refugees, and a lack of a proper green waste disposal system meant that waste was not properly disposed of.

One day in 1994, a missive came to the Tibetan Settlement Office (TSO) in Dharamshala, from none other than HH The Dalai Lama: They were to solve the burgeoning waste problem.

In June 1994, the Clean Upper Dharamshala Programme (CUDP) was formed.

Green Warriors go door-to-door and collect waste and deposit it at the Waste Segregation Centre, where the waste is divided into recyclable and non-recyclable waste.

The Paper Recycle Factory collects the paper waste and creates beautiful handmade paper products out of it. The recyclable waste is then sold to agencies who undertake appropriate recycling measures.

The Green Shop sells the products created.

Visitors can also undertake a workshop on making handmade paper at the factory. The products made at the Paper Recycle Factory are sold at the Green Shop, with all proceeds going to the maintenance of the region. One enterprise, three benefits.

Club Artizen works with the enterprise and brings their most popular products to a wider audience.

Our Tibetan Paper Products