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Issue Series #1: Reflections on EPR-based Systems Targeting Multi-Layered Plastics

Extended Producer Responsibility-based interventions can be designed to address these challenges in a way that strengthens the existing informal waste sector. EPR legislation for highly recyclable plastics like PET, HDPE, PP and LDPE, which are handled effectively by the informal sector, should be limited to strengthening this sector to maintain and report data on waste handled. Setting up centralized, private collection streams for these materials may be simpler for corporates, but will destroy the livelihoods of all the waste pickers and informal recycling sector actors who will be unable to survive without these viable materials.  Continue reading Issue Series #1: Reflections on EPR-based Systems Targeting Multi-Layered Plastics

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Issue Series #1: Waste pickers and workers in the informal waste industry : The Pillars of Extended Producers Responsibility

Nalini Shekar and Kabir Arora A decade ago, the term ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ (EPR) was either found in the textbooks of Environment Sciences or in the forgotten reports of many parliamentary committees. At that time as organisers of waste pickers and environmentalists, whenever we emphasised that the producers must pay for recycling or disposal of … Continue reading Issue Series #1: Waste pickers and workers in the informal waste industry : The Pillars of Extended Producers Responsibility

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Bangalore’s waste-pickers hope the new decade will be on their side

Junaid ul Shafi & Nalini Shekar The year 2020 was catastrophic for all sectors of the global economy, but the informal economy was most impacted. The pandemic and lockdown destroyed the livelihoods of those working in informal recycling. In those turbulent times, Hasiru Dala stood with waste-pickers and other informal workers. It ensured that no … Continue reading Bangalore’s waste-pickers hope the new decade will be on their side

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Lockdown Diaries: Relief to the wastepickers in the times of the pandemic

Junaid ul Shafi Introduction The COVID 19 pandemic has forced governments across the globe to shut down their residents into lockdown. In India, the lockdown was announced on the evening of 21st March which led to a humanitarian crisis in several parts of the country. Since then, millions of workers and students are stuck in … Continue reading Lockdown Diaries: Relief to the wastepickers in the times of the pandemic