Aafrin Kidwai 
Representational photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and FMCG giant Hindustan Unilever (HUL) have announced the launch of an Inclusive Circular Economy project, which focuses on the end-to-end management of plastic waste by promoting the segregation of waste at source, collection of the segregated waste, and setting up material recovery facilities (MRFs) for recycling all kinds of plastic waste along the value chain.
The social inclusion of waste pickers is a key focus of the project. It will reach 20,000 safai saathis across India in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Cuttack, and Kolkata, among others, with access to government welfare schemes and linkages. The project will also reach out to 100,000 households for segregation at source.
The UNDP’s flagship Plastic Waste Management Programme has successfully linked 3,300 safai saathis and their families to government welfare schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, SHRAM card, and Jan Dhan account.
