When I first joined the WeSOLE project and Bioenzyme Academy, I was introduced to a sustainable liquid, called eco-enzymes, and I had no idea it would lead to my future community project. As a biotechnologist, I was quickly drawn to eco-enzymes because of their potential in bioremediation and sustainability. Understanding the science behind these natural, multipurpose cleaners opened my eyes to their environmental and social implications.

My journey took a new turn when I was selected as a Green Fellow, an opportunity that required designing and executing a community-based project. This was my chance to bring theory into practice, so I turned my focus to the tenants in Jumla, a rural area where waste management was an overlooked but pressing issue.

Tenants in Jumla face unique challenges. Without land of their own, traditional waste management solutions like composting often fail to resonate. I witnessed this firsthand when we followed up again after the previous composting initiative training. During the training, they seemed eager, asking questions, taking notes, and even trying it out. But when we returned months later for follow-up, the compost piles were gone, replaced by bags of trash destined for landfills or worse, the Jugadah River. When we asked why they stopped, their frustration poured out: "We tried. We made. But we don’t have land to use it. It’s not for us; it’s for the landlords. Why should we work so hard for something we can’t even benefit from?" They had a point. These tenants, most of whom lived paycheck to paycheck, didn’t see the point of laboring over something that offered them no personal value. Their words hit hard. We realized we needed to do better, not just teach but truly understand what they needed. Compost wasn’t the answer, but maybe, just maybe, there was another way.

That’s when ecoenzymes were introduced based on R&D of eco-revive research and innovation. Unlike composting, this solution was well-suited to the tenants’ circumstances. The fermentation process turned organic waste into a liquid that could be used for cleaning, car washing, and even hair care, while the leftover pulp became a powerful toilet cleaner. This not only addressed the issue of waste management but also empowered the tenants with a tool that they could directly benefit from.

Sushmita, along with team members Sushma Paudel, Vibek Yadav and volunteers organized training sessions where we provided all the necessary materials- reusable containers, jaggery, and fruit peels, and guided the tenants through the fermentation process. The results were remarkable: within months, more than 90% of the participants continued producing eco-enzymes regularly. They even began thinking of gifting surplus products, and some are thinking of generating income.

This shift not only solved the waste management issue but also fostered a sense of ownership and motivation among the tenants. As they engaged in bioenzyme production, they were no longer passive recipients of knowledge but active participants in sustainable practices. They are reclaiming control over their efforts and contributing to a cleaner planet and their health.

We learned a vital lesson through this experience: “It’s not enough to teach. Follow up, adapt, and find alternatives. Sometimes, the right solution isn’t about starting over, it’s about finding what fits.” What began as a composting project evolved into an eco-enzyme initiative, showing that sometimes, the path to progress is not linear, but each step forward is part of the journey.

Now, we plan to formulate the plant-based cleaning agents incorporating ecoenzymes using the technical expertise of eco-revive research and innovation. Also we plant to replicate this model to other tenants of the area and to other communities as well, confident that tailoring solutions to local needs is key to achieving lasting environmental and social impact.

Now, we plan to replicate this model to other tenants of the area and to other urban communities as well, confident that tailoring solutions to local needs is key to achieving lasting environmental and social impact.