Invisible Environmentalists (Part 3)

Our attitude towards waste extends to those who handle it. This section looks at society’s attitudes towards waste pickers; people who play a critical role in helping to manage the garbage generated in homes and offices. But waste pickers are paid poorly and treated with little respect despite the huge risks they face while handling the garbage. Their rights are ignored too as they are largely self-employed and don’t have the backing of the municipality. This episode features Malati Gadgil and Lakshmi Narayanan, founders of Pune-based SWaCH Plus which works on upgrading waste pickers’ skills. Saru Waghmare, co-founder of Pune-based Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat, a trade union of self-employed waste pickers and informal waste recyclers, talks about how waste pickers’ rights are routinely violated. Andhra Pradesh’s commendable efforts towards adopting waste management are highlighted through interviews with Dr B. Janardhan Reddy, Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration, Andhra Pradesh and former Warangal Municipal Commissioner Vivek Yadav. It was during Yadav’s tenure that Warangal was recognized as the Best Heritage City by the government of India.

  

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