Pune: Waste pickers lighten their load with cutting-edge machines supported by Kashtakari Panchayat and BMC Software

Uruli Devachi, 14th February 2024: With a commitment to improving working conditions for waste pickers, Kashtakari Panchayat has collaborated with BMC Software India Private Limited, to proudly dedicate state-of-the-art sorting machines at their multi-layered plastic warehouse situated at Uruli Devachi. The machines include one conveyor belts for efficient sorting and one electric forklift of 1.5 metric tonnes capacity to lighten the burden from waste pickers’ shoulders.

With over 4-5 tons of plastic arriving at the facility for sorting and baling, the latest technology intervention is aimed at providing improved sorting efficiency, overall capacity handling, and an increased level of recycling for the waste pickers. In addition to this, the machines will provide a safer working environment and reduce manual labor, improving the overall efficiency of the staff. These technological interventions have not compromised the employment generation capacity of the initiative and have been designed to support rather than replace the waste pickers.

“The new conveyor belt has helped us effortlessly identify reject materials that we receive along with recyclables. After identifying rejects, we are now able to improve the recovery of plastic materials for recycling. Specifically, for me, it has significantly reduced the physical strain of sitting down and sorting through different plastic materials. Along with more efficiency, this will also help us improve our working conditions,” said Shakuntala Randive, waste picker representative.

“At BMC, we believe in challenging conventions and making a lasting impact on the world through our technology. What better way to demonstrate this than by starting at the grassroots level and making it a better place to live for everyone,” said Sakaar Anand, VP & India Country Head at BMC Software.

“This mechanisation supports and upgrades the livelihoods of waste pickers rather than replaces them. After this, working conditions will be improved, and our women will have the opportunity to become licensed forklift drivers. It also allows us to set better quality control measures for the plastic waste. We anticipate that this will boost our work in the long run,” said Lubna Anantakrishnan, trustee at Kashtakari Panchayat.

About Kashtakari Panchayat
Kashtakari Panchayat primarily functions to support waste pickers in the informal economy sector of Pune. This support is maintained in forms of social welfare training and assistance, and livelihood expansion as well as protection initiative opportunities for the waste pickers of Pune. We initiate informal economy research and audits, developing functions to manage support for waste pickers, their families, and their entities. In all, Kashtakari Panchayat envisions a world that is socially just, economically equitable, environmentally sustainable, and democratic; where diversity is valued, and there is peace and harmony.