SWaCH also known as Solid Waste Collection and Handling or, officially, SWaCH Seva Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit, Pune is a completely owned collaborative of self-employed waste pickers, collectors and other urban poor. Many of you might have seen them being featured in many programs worldwide.

It is an autonomous enterprise that provides waste management services to the citizens of Pune.

SWaCH is authorised by the Municipal Corporation Of Pune to provide door-to-door waste collection and other waste management services.     

SWaCH being a cooperative owned by the workers, it seeks to provide livelihoods in the waste management industry.

Through its 2300 members, SWaCH services over 4,00,000 households across 15 municipal administrative wards of the PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation)and the number is growing. 

SWaCH is promoted by the waste pickers? union Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat that organised 9000+ rag pickers /waste collectors to work with dignity and created a sustainabl waste management model in the country.

SWaCH members collect segregated (dry and wet) waste right from citizens doorsteps and deposit it at the designated PMC collection points. 

The wet waste is either processed or is given to the PMC pick-up truck for dumping. The dry waste is further sorted into several categories and recycled.

 SWaCH has not only created livelihoods for workers, it has also upgraded their value in society. I strongly recommend this great idea to be followed in the other states of India and even in the other countries of the world.

Soucre: 

http://www.swachcoop.com/