Pema Yangzom (Entrepreneur)

Background

Pema Yangzom is a Bhutanese entrepreneur who identified an emerging environmental challenge in Bhutan: the growing volume of electronic waste (e-waste) from computers, phones, and other devices entering the country as it modernized and digitized.^[1]

Bhutan Alternatives

Yangzom founded Bhutan Alternatives, the country's first e-waste recycling and management business. The company collects, processes, and responsibly disposes of electronic waste, filling a gap in Bhutan's waste management infrastructure that had no prior solution for the growing stream of discarded electronics.

The venture is particularly significant in a country that prides itself on its carbon-negative status and constitutional commitment to environmental conservation. As internet and smartphone penetration grows rapidly in Bhutan, the volume of e-waste is projected to increase significantly, making Yangzom's work increasingly important.

Significance

Pema Yangzom represents a new wave of Bhutanese entrepreneurs who are building businesses that align with the country's Gross National Happiness philosophy — creating economic value while protecting the environment. Her company demonstrates that sustainability and entrepreneurship can be complementary in Bhutan's development model.

References

1. "Meet Bhutan's first female entrepreneur." Matthew Robertson.
2. "10 Influential Women Entrepreneurs in Bhutan." Darling Keyz Blog, October 2024.
3. "BAOWE — A Woman Entrepreneur Network in Bhutan." WIPO IP Advantage.