Pinakini Ben Solanki is a waste recycler from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, born into a family where recycling has been a source of livelihood across generations, with both her mother and grandmother engaged in the same work. Her early connection to the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) played a defining role in her trajectory, enabling her to access education and complete a graduate degree while supporting her family.
She is an elected member of SEWA’s Executive Committee, where she represents waste recyclers, and is actively involved in Gitanjali, a cooperative producing goods from recycled paper, as well as the Value Creation Centre. Her work focuses on strengthening the empowerment of women waste workers through voice, visibility, and viability, contributing to more inclusive and organized recycling systems.
