Empowering Waste Pickers to Combat Marine Pollution

Climate action

Aug 26

Who: Avfall Norge

What: Empowering Waste Pickers to Combat Marine Pollution

Where: India

Project period: 2024

About the project:

The Indian Ocean is often referred to as “the world largest dump site” for waste. Tamil Nadu's coastal region is largely affected by the problems with waste generation causing a great threat to the ocean and to the people living by the coast

India have had a positive economic development in the recent years but still about 200 million people are living on less than 2,15USD per day. Poverty and a lack of education or skills are common factors that forces individuals to seek their food and income from dump sites. Many waste pickers belong to socially marginalized groups.

With learnings from previous collaboration in the project Clean Oceans through Clean Communities in India this project will continue to combine Hand in Hand and Avfall Norge’s expertise in waste management and poverty alleviation through entrepreneurship training.

The target area is Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu and the project will mobilise and train 550 waste pickers, men and women, in the age group of 18-60 years, to turn waste into an opportunity. The aim with the project is to empower waste pickers economically, socially, and environmentally, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable approach to combat marine pollution.

The project will result in an improved livelihood and social status for waste pickers, reduced inequalities and gender bias as well as improved health and safety. The project will contribute to protecting the oceans by enhanced knowledge in waste management and increased flow of recyclable waste to reduce marine littering.

About the organisation:

Avfall Norge organizes the Norwegian waste and recycling industry and its stakeholders representing more than 200 different public and private companies working with waste management, recycling and recycled materials. Avfall Norge creates an understanding for the need to increase the circularity of all materials and products, and to strengthen the recycling industry’s position as a key player in a sustainable and circular economy.

Hand in Hand Sweden and Hand in Hand India empower women and youth, living on less than $3.65 a day, with knowledge, skills, and capacity to develop as entrepreneurs to enhance livelihoods, demand their rights, and foster community development in a sustainable way. Our programs strive to build strong equal communities where women can influence the distribution of resources and power structures, in the household and at community level. We contribute to social and economic empowerment so that people can drive their own change.