Project Revitelization
Responsibility of Reconstruction
Why was this project needed?
Every morning, sanitation workers come to collect garbage. These individuals, who often work in societies and on roads, rely on this work for their livelihood. Many of them have been doing this work for generations. In Thane alone, there are over twenty thousand such waste pickers and sanitation workers. Nearly one lakh people depend on garbage collection or cleaning work for their survival. In addition to this, there is no official count of those working with scrap dealers or in waste processing industries.
Waste pickers and sanitation workers have remained in the lowest class of labor. Beyond that, there has been no real change in their quality of life. While all recycling entrepreneurs and so-called scrap dealers have become millionaires, the true upliftment of sanitation workers and waste pickers has never actually happened.
How Did It Begin?
Every morning, sanitation workers come to collect garbage. These individuals, who often work in societies and on roads, rely on this work for their livelihood. Many of them have been doing this work for generations. In Thane alone, there are over twenty thousand such waste pickers and sanitation workers. Nearly one lakh people depend on garbage collection or cleaning work for their survival. In addition to this, there is no official count of those working with scrap dealers or in waste processing industries.
Waste pickers and sanitation workers have remained in the lowest class of labor. Beyond that, there has been no real change in their quality of life. While all recycling entrepreneurs and so-called scrap dealers have become millionaires, the true upliftment of sanitation workers and waste pickers has never actually happened.
What Has Been Achieved So Far?
- What began in 2017 with just 20 households has now reached over 75,000 families.
- In Thane, we collect dry waste from more than 500 pickup points and are connected with over 1,200 housing societies.
- We collect around 10 tons of waste daily, amounting to over 300 tons per month, which is then sent for further processing.
- Through this project, we have successfully improved the standard of living for over 40 women waste pickers and helped bring them into the mainstream of society.
What Are the Future Plans?
We are working towards involving more people from Thane and Mumbai in this movement, with the goal of empowering more women waste pickers through the project.
We are also creating a blueprint of this initiative so that it can serve as a model project, inspiring and guiding similar efforts in other cities.
Awards & Accolades
A testament to unwavering dedication and impactful contributions, these recognitions highlight a journey defined by service, innovation, and excellence across education, social responsibility, and community development. Honored by esteemed institutions, universities, and global organizations, each award reflects a commitment to creating meaningful change and inspiring others through purposeful work.
A testament to unwavering dedication and impactful contributions, these recognitions highlight a journey defined by service, innovation, and excellence across education, social responsibility, and community development. Honored by esteemed institutions, universities, and global organizations, each award reflects a commitment to creating meaningful change and inspiring others through purposeful work.
UNICEF
Best Practices Recognition
BBC
Change Maker Documentary
WD German News
Innovative Project — Eco India
Governor of Maharashtra
Felicitation for Environmental Work
Maharashtra State Pollution Control Department
Recognition for Environmental Initiatives
