In September2023, as part of the FINILOOP Project, a workshop focusing on menstrual hygiene management was conducted specifically for adolescent girls. During this event, the project team engaged with educated girls who expressed a desire for employment opportunities to contribute financially to their families and fulfill personal needs. Responding to their aspirations, Mr. Ajay Kohare, FINILOOP representative, raised the prospect of waste collection work, to which the girls enthusiastically agreed.

 Subsequently, a meeting was arranged at the FINILOOP office a few days later, where detailed discussions took place. During this dialogue, Mr. Kohare highlighted the societal perception of waste collection as a low-level occupation, cautioning the girls about potential discouragement from friends, relatives, and family members. The girls, however, asserted that their parents were already engaged in waste collection, constituting their primary means of livelihood. In response, the FINILOOP team assured the girls of fulfilling their commitment to professionalize the waste collection work. They outlined plans to provide uniforms, deliver training on effective communication during waste collection, supply vehicles for waste collection, and offer driving lessons for increased efficiency. This approach, the team explained, would not only elevate the professional status of their work but also garner positive response from the community. In pursuit of actively engaging the youth in waste management endeavors, FINILOOP, under the aegis of the Trust of People (TOP) has taken a proactive approach.

The team has undertaken the initiative of providing uniforms for the youth involved in waste collection activities. Additionally, comprehensive training programs have been implemented to equip them with the necessary skills to operate rickshaws, facilitating a more efficient execution of waste collection tasks.

During a recently organized four-day mass awareness campaign, a group of dedicated young individuals, predominantly comprising  girls, played a pivotal role in making significant contributions. Moreover, the Youth Force actively participated in the preparation and packaging of compost at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Center in Narayan Garh.

Looking ahead, the Youth Force is poised to expand its involvement in waste collection operations, demonstrating a commitment to fostering environmental sustainability and community engagement.    

On 20 December 2023, a meeting transpired at the FINILOOP office. The session was convened under the stewardship of Mr. Ravinder Kumar, the Sanitary Inspector of the Municipal Corporation Amritsar. The primary agenda was to discuss the deployment of the ‘Youth force sanitation engineers’, termed “Change Makers” as the second generation of informal waste workers, for door-to-door waste collection in  Preet Vihar colony.

The FINILOOP team and three female members of the youth force were active participants in the meeting. Mr. Ravinder Kumar engaged in a detailed discussion, allocating the Preet Vihar area for the waste collection initiative. The collaborative dialogue emphasized strategic planning and the seamless integration of the youth force into the sanitation efforts. City Lead Arjun Ram provided insights into community dynamics, while Project Coordinators and Business Development Consultant contributed to the operational framework.

The meeting culminated with a clear roadmap for the deployment, outlining responsibilities and timelines. The enthusiastic participation of all stakeholders reflected a shared commitment to enhancing waste management practices in Preet Vihar, embodying the core ethos of the FINILOOP project.

The ‘Swachhta Rath’ serves as a mobile platform to promote and sell Compost derived from door-to-door wet waste at MRF centre. A notable feature of this initiative is the active involvement of girls from families of informal waste workers in the production and sale of compost. This not only empowers these young women economically but also underscores their pivotal role in sustainable waste management.

The ‘Swachhta Rath’ is more than a mobile marketplace; it symbolizes a transformative shift toward sustainable practices and formalizing waste management. This initiative not only provides a direct link between the Change Makers and the community but also fosters awareness about waste segregation, composting, and environmental sustainability.

As the ‘Swachhta Rath’ rolls into action, it not only contributes to a cleaner Amritsar but also exemplifies the success of the FINILOOP project in creating a new generation of waste workers dedicated to transforming waste into a valuable resource.