The Body Shop India, Plastics for Change Launch Skill Development Programme for Women

Gurugram, November 13, 2026: The Body Shop India, in partnership with Plastics for Change, has launched a 60-day skill development initiative to create additional livelihood opportunities for women from waste-collector communities. The programme will provide practical training in tote-bag making, combining textile upcycling with efforts to develop market opportunities for the products.

The initiative builds on the partnership between The Body Shop and Plastics for Change, established in India in 2019 under the brand’s Community Fair Trade programme. While the existing collaboration supports waste collectors through the sourcing of recycled plastic for product packaging, the new programme extends the partnership's focus to skill development and the reuse of discarded textiles.

During the 60-day programme, participants will receive hands-on training in stitching, embroidery, design, finishing, quality control and product development. The training aims to equip women with practical skills that could help them access additional sources of household income and explore further economic opportunities.

The programme will use discarded textiles and waste cloth as raw materials to produce functional tote bags. Alongside the training, Plastics for Change is working to establish market linkages through institutional and bulk buyers, retail channels, exhibitions and corporate partnerships. These efforts are intended to create sales opportunities and support the long-term viability of the initiative.

Commenting on the initiative, Rahul Shanker, Group CEO, Quest Retail, said, “Our partnership with Plastics for Change has always been about recognising the people behind the materials we use and supporting better livelihood opportunities for waste-collector communities. With this initiative, we are building on that commitment by creating space for women to develop new skills and explore additional income-generating opportunities. By bringing together skill development, the reuse of discarded textiles and access to potential markets, we hope to support a model that creates value for both people and the planet.”

Shifrah Jacobs, Co-founder and Chief Impact Officer of Plastics for Change, said, “For us, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities means going beyond immediate support to helping communities build skills and explore new avenues for income generation. Through this initiative, we aim to equip women with practical skills in tote-bag making while working to connect their products with potential markets. By bringing skill development and textile upcycling together, we hope to create opportunities for women to participate in a more circular and inclusive economy.”

The initiative reflects The Body Shop India's focus on linking environmental responsibility with community development. Through skill training, textile reuse and efforts to establish market connections, the partners aim to support women's economic opportunities while giving discarded textiles a productive second life.