CAN-PACK Material Recovery Facility—A Case for Integrating Informal Recyclers

Abstract

Through its study of the CAN-PACK Material Recovery Facility (MRF), this paper proposes a path for informal recycler’s (waste pickers) integration . The facility—a good example of public, private, and civil society organization partnership—provides dignified, decent, and green livelihoods to the 16 waste pickers touching more than 67 lives. Over past one year, facility has successively demonstrated its utility. It has processed more than 300 metric tons of dry waste and saved 150 tons of waste from going to the dumping ground. The case study is based on a robust research methodology and draws its inferences from the strong wardwise/zonewise data on daily incoming dry waste, outgoing non-recyclable waste, percentage segregation, and on revenue generated. A comprehensive survey of waste pickers revealed the ‘change’ brought by the MRF facility. Interviews with Kabadiwalas associated with the facility and with implementation agency personnel have validated the survey results. The case study also compares the CAN-PACK MRF model with the MRF operated by the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation in ward N-12 and the one run in collaboration with SWM contractor in CIDCO, Waluj. This comparative analysis provides us the MRF framework that can be replicated and scaled. To understand the integration of the informal recyclers in the formal system, the case study serves as a good guide that enlists the setting-up process, probable pitfalls and, the systems, and processes to achieve sustainability.