The aim of this collaboration is to enhance carton package recycling and help empower waste pickers across Delhi and Gurgaon.
Addressing the needs of waste pickers
Global value chains are dependent on people, often from marginalised backgrounds. At the same time, those people rely on these value chains for their livelihoods, income, and overall well-being. In India, waste pickers play a vital role in waste management and recycling, while facing numerous obstacles and enduring hardships. However, limited participation in recycling schemes constrains carton package recycling and may hinder the socio-economic progress of people working in this largely informal sector.
Addressing the needs of waste pickers
Global value chains are dependent on people, often from marginalised backgrounds. At the same time, those people rely on these value chains for their livelihoods, income, and overall well-being. In India, waste pickers play a vital role in waste management and recycling, while facing numerous obstacles and enduring hardships. However, limited participation in recycling schemes constrains carton package recycling and may hinder the socio-economic progress of people working in this largely informal sector.
A collaborative initiative between Tetra Pak and Bal Vikas Dhara attempts to address these challenges in Delhi and across the National Capital Region (NCR). The cooperation has introduced various measures to support autonomous waste pickers and cooperatives in 24 low-income areas. It aims to support waste-picking communities by formalising their job roles and enabling them to participate in social welfare schemes. It also focuses on improving their livelihoods by providing opportunities for income generation through used beverage carton package collection.
Crucially, the project seeks to empower female waste pickers by establishing a tailoring centre to provide them with alternative livelihood opportunities leading to augmentation of household incomes. There are six nonformal education centres for the children from the waste working communities to facilitate their access to education before mainstreaming them into formal schools. It also provides a social safety net for waste workers through access to government welfare schemes. Furthermore, the establishment of the initiative prioritises health and sanitation by establishing a permanent health clinic, organising health camps, and providing health kits and immunisations.
From cooperation to measurable outcomes
Tetra Pak’s cooperation with Bal Vikas Dhara has increased carton package recycling and transformed the lives of many waste pickers, enhancing their economic well-being and overall living conditions. More than 5,000 waste workers are currently collecting carton packages for recycling, thereby boosting their household income.
Projects such as the tailoring centre have empowered over 800 women by providing them with alternative livelihood opportunities and the chance to achieve economic independence. Commitment to education has also resulted in hundreds of children accessing non-formal education centres, breaking the cycle of limited educational opportunities. Moreover, thanks to Tetra Pak's initiatives, over 3,000 individuals now benefit from improved healthcare and sanitation services to support better well-being for waste workers and their families.
Sustainability beyond packaging
Tetra Pak's commitment to sustainability extends beyond packaging. Our partnership with Bal Vikas Dhara is an ongoing endeavour to create a balanced and effective waste management system in India. With continued support, waste pickers can improve their lives and contribute more effectively to India's growing circular economy1, bringing us closer to a more equitable future.
Sources:
1The circular economy refers to a system in which materials never become waste and are kept in circulation through processes including recycling, reuse and composting. It tackles environmental challenges by decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. Source: Ellenmacarthurfoundation.org, What is a circular economy?