Evaluating the Role and Recognition of Informal Waste Sector in India’s Solid Waste Management
Author : Vipresh Pradhan
Abstract :
This paper evaluates the role and recognition of the informal waste sector within India’s solid waste management (SWM) system by synthesizing evidence from secondary literature, including academic studies, institutional reports, and policy documents. Findings reveal that waste pickers contribute substantially to recycling efficiency, resource recovery, and cost reduction, often outperforming formal systems in material collection and segregation. Case studies, particularly from Pune, demonstrate the effectiveness of organized waste picker cooperatives in enhancing municipal service delivery and securing improved livelihoods. Despite these contributions, informal workers continue to face systemic exclusion, precarious working conditions, and limited institutional recognition. The study concludes that integrating waste pickers through inclusive governance, social protection mechanisms, and supportive policy frameworks is essential for advancing sustainable, equitable, and circular waste management practices in India.
Keywords :
Informal waste sector, waste pickers, solid waste management, recycling livelihoods, informal-formal integration, urban sustainability, circular economy, Pune case study, waste governance, resource recovery.
