Observing the operations of the facility, Bhumi highlighted how “waste segregation is a behaviour change issue. A simple act of keeping two separate dustbins for dry and wet waste can save a lot of money and effort that goes into waste management, protecting our health as well as that of the planet.”
Bhumi Pednekar engaged with Safai Saathis, who work at the facility in Dwarka
The actress engaged with Safai Saathis, who work at the facility, and commended their crucial role in maintaining cleanliness in our cities. “As soon as the waste leaves our doorstep, we tend to forget about it. I feel truly humbled to see how our Safai Saathis work tire lessly behind the scenes, often in very challenging conditions, to tackle the dirty waste that we generate. We must be mindful of the way we consume things and generate waste and do our bit to manage it responsibly by segregating it at home,” she said.
India generates nearly 160,000 tonnes of solid waste per day. Over two million Safai Saathis help us ensure a clean and healthy environment to live by collecting, segregating and recycling nearly 96 percent of this waste. UNDP is working with governments, NGOs and private sector to create a safe working environment for Safai Saathis and ensuring social protection for them and their families by helping them access government welfare schemes and programmes.
Bhumi highlighted how a simple act of keeping two separate dustbins for dry and wet waste can save a lot of money and effort that goes into waste management
UNDP’s plastic waste management initiative supports urban local bodies in establishing material recovery facilities via infrastructure & machinery, enabling social protection of Safai Saathis (waste pickers and segregators) by linking them to various government schemes, promoting capacity & skill development, and generating awareness amongst citizens, promoting segregation of waste through mass outreach & behaviour change campaigns. It aims to collect 158,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste in a period of six years and improve socio-economic conditions of 10,000 Safai Saathis, especially women.
