Cow dung is a ubiquitous sight in rural India, where cows are considered sacred and an essential part of the rural economy. Traditionally, cow dung has been used as a source of fuel for cooking and as a natural fertilizer for crops. However, a Jaipur-based firm is using cow dung to create paper and various other products, providing a unique solution to waste management and creating a sustainable business model.
In 2016, Jaipur-based businessman Bhimraj Sharma’s daughter asked him a simple question: “If elephant dung can be used to make paper sheets, then why cannot cow dung be turned into paper?” This question sparked an idea that led Sharma to research and develop a process for making paper from cow dung.
From Cow Dung Paper to a Range of Products
Sharma started by making a paper sheet of cow dung, though it was not as fine as mill paper. He then expanded his range of products and experimented with making items like Gulal, tiny havan-kund, Rakhis, pencils, and Holi and Diwali items with cow dung paper.
Initially, the company manufactured items like boxes, envelopes, and diaries. Today, the range of products has crossed 100 items, including customized diaries, boxes, pencils, and decorative items. The company exports these products to the US and Australia.
An Initiative to Save the Environment
According to Sharma, this initiative is for saving the environment. There is a huge demand for papers across the world and mill paper is mainly used. However, there is a small segment that understands the value of handmade paper. The quality of offset printing on normal handmade paper is not as high as the paper made of cow dung.
Sharma has also printed Hanuman Chalisa with pictures on the cow dung paper, while a few other books have also been published on the paper. One sheet of paper contains 40 percent dung and the rest is made of other materials. He is using nearly 600 kg of cow dung to produce 3,000 sheets daily.
The Environmental and Economic Benefits of Cow Dung-based Products
The use of cow dung-based products has significant environmental benefits. By using cow dung as a raw material, the firm is preventing it from being left as waste, reducing methane emissions from decomposition, and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Additionally, the production process of cow dung-based products is energy-efficient and requires minimal water, further reducing the environmental impact.
The firm also provides training and employment opportunities for women from the local communities, helping to promote rural development.
