India produces 3.4 million tons of plastic waste annually, with only 30% recycled.

By 2031, the municipal solid waste generated in India is projected to reach 165 million tons, and further up to 436 million tons by 2050.

In India, there are approximately 1.5-4 million informal waste pickers.

OVERVIEW

Street waste collectors, itinerant buyers, and sorters in scrap shops and dry waste collection centres (collectively referred to as waste pickers) are a vital part of the country’s waste management system. Waste pickers in India play a multifaceted role in climate action, contributing to waste reduction, resource recovery, GHG emission reduction, circular economy promotion, community engagement, and inclusive urban development.  While they play a critical role in society, they face a myriad of challenges, including social stigma, absence of legal recognition, and limited access to health, safety, and social security benefits. They work in precarious conditions and are exposed to health hazards without adequate protective measures.   

Integrating waste pickers into formal waste management systems, providing them with fair remuneration, and ensuring their access to health and safety measures can amplify their positive impact.  With a strong alignment with H&M Foundation’s vision of enabling waste pickers to become key players in a global circular system, Social Alpha joined Phase 1 of the Saamuhika Shakti initiative in 2020. As we embark on Phase 2, we aim to support start-ups who are on the path to creating breakthrough innovations for a circular economy while providing agency to waste picker families to lead secure and dignified lives.  

Focus Areas

Sustainable Production and Consumption
Waste Collection and Segregation Efficiency
India generates over 160,000 tonnes of solid waste per day, with 50% treated, while the remaining is either landfilled or unaccounted for. Inadequacy of infrastructure present to manage this waste calls for an efficient and systemic approach to address issues around insufficient segregation at source, poor collection systems, and presence of an unregulated informal sector. Potential solutions include (but are not limited to):

  • Cost efficient collection, segregation of various waste streams while improving the traceability across the value chain.
  • Inclusion of digital platforms that enable real-time monitoring and optimisation of waste collection routes.
  • Automated sorting technologies which use AI/ML, sensors, spectroscopy etc. for high accuracy and speed of waste segregation.
Innovative Recycling and Resource Recovery Solutions
Prevailing recycling systems cannot produce high value products because the recycled product loses quality and degrades from the second cycle onwards. There is a need for cutting-edge recycling technologies that can process larger quantities and varied streams of waste, while also producing higher quality recycled materials which can be brought back into the value chain to create a circular economy. Potential solutions include (but are not limited to):

  • Advanced recycling solutions such as segregation of blended fabrics, depolymerisation of polymers, processing and reuse of multi-layered-plastics etc.
  • Existing recycling technologies with incremental innovations towards improved efficiency, higher quality of output and reduced cost.
  • Technologies to extract high value materials from multiple waste streams such as sanitary waste, electronic waste etc.

Winning Cohort

Program Offerings

Market Validation: 9 start-ups to be supported with funding of INR 20 lakhs each to implement a pilot.
Knowledge Services: Curated set of offerings to provide support on digitization or marketing and branding.
Go-To-Market Strategy : 1-year long incubation at Social Alpha with dedicated portfolio managers to assist with developing go-to-market strategy and overall business advisory.
Mentorship: One on one engagement & mentorship with experts from the waste management sector, and technology and business support through sectoral experts.
Funding Support : Opportunity to access seed capital of up to INR 1 Cr per start-up, subject to Social Alpha’s due diligence.

Our Partners