Safety is considered an option for many in our country. The consequences that come with that are either unknown or unacknowledged. The Waste Warriors of our country – ragpickers are at risk of their safety.

With the human race affected by the COVID-19 Corona Virus, safety during pandemic has become a more serious concern than it already is. That being said, the scrap dealers of the country; mainly ragpickers, are at a higher risk than they already are. The country’s Corporates’ IEC (Information Education Communication) activities aim to ensure the safety of the stakeholders involved in waste management.

Recykal has joined hands with the Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to develop sustainable plastic waste management practices in India.

In collaboration with Nothing Is Waste, Tamil Nadu, we conducted an awareness programme for the informal sector – ragpickers, kabadiwalas & aggregators. The programme aims to inculcate safety practices in scrap dealers, alongside helping the brands comply with the Plastic Waste Management and Solid Waste rules.

Alongside educating on the safety practices to be followed, we also presented to them, the benefits of making digital payments. When the whole world is moving towards digital, it’s only fair that the scrap dealers as well make using digital modes in their daily lives and incur its rewards.

Our COVID-19 Awareness Programme resulted in onboarding 204 Bulk Waste Generators such as shops, restaurants, malls and 150 Informal Sector workers (ragpickers and scrap dealers) in adopting safety practices while at work and initiating digital transactions.