Empowering Women, One Newspaper Bag at a Time

In a world dominated by plastic, Kokila Deshpande is redefining sustainability while empowering women. The architect-turned-social-entrepreneur runs Ayvakta, an NGO that transforms old newspapers into sturdy, reusable bags, offering homebound women an opportunity to earn a livelihood from the comfort of their homes.

Every day, newspapers deliver news and then quickly become waste. Kokila saw an opportunity to give them a second life. By inventing a special folding technique that requires no glue, tape, or metal pins, she has created bags that are durable enough to carry up to 5 kg of goods. The handles, made from leftover garment factory fabric, ensure strength and reliability.

Kokila’s journey began as a personal experiment in 2012, inspired by her love for crafts, art, and architecture. Over time, she realized the true potential of her innovation not just as a product, but as a way to empower women who were previously homebound, caring for children or elderly family members. Many of these women were first-time earners, gaining confidence, skill, and financial independence.

Creativity meets sustainability

By repurposing newspapers, Kokila ensures minimal environmental impact. Unlike conventional brown paper bags, her creations extend the life of each newspaper, reducing resource consumption while keeping the product completely recyclable.

Since 2015, Ayvakta has grown steadily. Kokila started small, sending out sample bags to potential clients in the hospitality and food industry. Her first order of 200 bags was a learning experience that helped her refine her processes, source donated newspapers, and train women to craft these bags efficiently.

Impactful change, one bag at a time

Today, 30-40 women craft these bags from home, and Ayvakta has partnered with NGOs across Maharashtra to reach more women. Kokila emphasizes education alongside skill-building, conducting workshops on climate change, organic products, and sustainable lifestyles.

For Kokila, nothing is waste. Every newspaper, every scrap of fabric, and even leftover materials become the foundation for a new productfrom eco-friendly cushioning pouches for fragile shipments to customized newspaper bags that blend function and environmental responsibility.

By turning newspapers into livelihood opportunities, Kokila Deshpande has created a movement that is inspiring, empowering, and sustainable. Her journey is a testament to the fact that with creativity, empathy, and perseverance, ordinary resources can transform lives.