Nikeeta is a third generation recycler in her family. She has three masters degrees: in Law, Compliance & Human Resource Management. Yet the values of Nature preservation & optimal utilisation of resources always drove her towards the family profession. 

Ms. Jaiin grew up watching her family follow recycling practices at home and her grandparents used to innovate new ways to save energy & resources, which have in fact helped them survive difficult times.”If everyone inculcated these habits, we would be able to have better survival on our planet,” she says.  

Her passion is to protect the environment through her work, her personal habits and through awareness programmes. “We should start a dialogue on an international scale. We give less credit to the recycling industry across the globe and especially to the women in it. I strive to make the recycling industry women-friendly.”

Ms. Jaiin is, perhaps, the first woman to be handling a recycling plant and to hold a management position in India. She founded Vardhman Recycling LLP and Vardhman Auto Recycling LLP. Within three years, it was recognised by the Government of India for research collaboration with Government National Laboratories. Nikeeta Jaiin won the Green Start up of the Year Award in 2016. 

She has represented her company in various conferences as speaker and panelist. She has provided inputs on the policy framework of the recently introduced Vehicle Scrappage Policy in India. And on Women’s Day, 2023, she launched Global Women Recycler's Forum, which aims to unite women recyclers across the globe to improve the condition of women in the industry and to create synergies over environmental & social endeavours.

“The percentage of women in the industry was around 0.5 per cent when I joined, it's natural to feel out of place. Few people have been rude and unwelcoming, but most of them were kind. Still I could not socialise after certain hours, giving away a sense of personal touch that works in every profession. Some people are sweet but have a natural sense of reluctance in communication towards another gender,” she says adding, “For a daughter to take over her father's business is uncommon in India.” 

“After seven years, I see some changes and hope to make it better for future generations of women recyclers through Global Women Recycler's Forum.”