CLEANIndia

Ragpickers comprises the informal sector in the waste management. Waste pickers manage 10-15% of municipal waste and are grossly neglected in spite of their crucial contribution towards the waste management of the municipalities. A recycling industry also thrives on recovery of these materials by the waste pickers. CLEAN-India has been involved in providing a source of livelihood for the rag pickers by involving them in waste collection, segregation and composting in residential areas.

In one of the schools where CLEAN-India is working, a rag picker from the nearby slum named Abdul was involved for the collection and segregation of waste from the school canteen and making compost. He was also involved in recycling paper and selling paper products. In a short span of time he learnt to make mats from polythene which he sells to earn a descent income. During the evenings he studies in a nearby school.

Bringing a Change in Abdul’s Life


		Abdul with CLEAN-India Students

In the communities, the mode of operation is setting up waste management systems in residential areas. There ragpickers are identified from the nearby slums, after police verification they are provided with identification badges and uniform. They are involved in households’ waste collection and segregation. They sell the recyclable components and use the organic material for making compost using the vermi-composting technology. Each household pays an amount of 30-50 Rs/ month towards the salary of the rag picker. He also earns by selling the compost. This kind of initiative helps in providing dignified job and at the same time providing him a constant source of livelihood.

Many of the CLEAN-India centers have adopted solid waste management systems in their communities and given livelihoods to many ragpickers.

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