Madhya

Pradesh

Biodiversity Conservation

Climate Change

COMMUNITY VOICES
Sustainable Ways
for Plastic Management

Govt. of India
Ministry of Environment, Forests Empowered lives. Madhya Pradesh
& Climate Change Resilient nations. Pollution Control Board
 support and setting up a sustainable business model with support from Environment & Housing
Dept. Govt of MP. The plastic waste of nearly 7/8 Mts (less than 40 Microns) picked, segregated,
compressed and transported by Sarthak the NGO through an institutionalised system to 07
cement manufacturers, ACC; Birla Cement; Vikram Cement-ABGL; Satna Cement; Diamond H
Cement; JP Cement and Maihar Cement as an alternate fuel for combustion. Processing of 40
micron plastic bags beyond 1100 oC temperature units release unintentionally produced POPs.
Co-processing in cement kilns leaves no residue as the incombustible inorganic content of the
waste materials.
The Sarthak Karmis also collect 1/ 1/2 MT per day fractions like double coated plastic, jute bags,
paper, card board, tetra pack, bottles, chappals, etc. which are segregated and linked to recyclers.

Project Goal
The project aims to scale up the plastic waste collection and management from 5 wards to 30
wards in the city of Bhopal, in partnership with the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and
Madhya Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (MPPCB).

Project Background
The flooding in Bhopal town in the year 2008
marks the beginning of a thought. Fifteen
colonies were marooned in water leaving the
business of the town to a stand-still for weeks
resulting into substantial financial loss, simply
because of sewage choking due to disposal of
plastic bags in the garbage. In normal course
hundreds of animals were regularly dying by
consuming plastic bags with their food. The
burning of plastic in open was a common sight
resulting into massive greenhouse gases
emissions.
The city of Bhopal and areas, with a population
of 2 million is generating 480-500 tons of waste
per day, out of which about 14% is plastic which
is dumped in an area of 30 acres at Bhanpur
Kanti, situated at Vidisha Road in the city of
Bhopal. About 2,000 rag pickers (Sarthak
Karmis) are involved in Bhopal city in segregating
the waste in an unorganized manner.
Sarthak, the local NGO, inspiring various
stakeholders, gathered about 165 workers and set
up Self Help Groups (SHGs) in 5 out of 30 urban
wards of Bhopal town in (2008) with the
objective of collection and recycling the plastic
waste and increasing the income of rag pickers.
The idea was to minimize the impacts on the
environment supported by all stakeholders.
Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) agreed to
provide support and allocated 2,500 sq. ft land to
do the bale-pressing of plastic waste. The NGO
then approached the GEF/UNDP Small Grants
Program Centre for Environment (CEE) for
Name of the Organization
Sarthak Samudayik Vikas Evam Jan Kalyan Sanstha
Number of Beneficiaries
100,000 households, shops, Communities of
practice benefitting daily. 3,200 Sarthak Karmis
received direct and indirect employment.
SHGs Formed
30 women and mixed SHGs formed, out of which
14 have bank accounts.
SGP Grant Amount
Rs 29,75,750/-
Co-Financing Accessed
Rs.30 lacs from Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control
Board (MPPCB);
Rs. 20 lacs by communities; Parks; MoEF & CC-
GoI; State Departments;
Rs. 25 lacs by Commissioner, Bhopal Municipal
Corporation for purchase of equipments.
Geographical Areas
5 wards of Bhopal Municipal Corporation - scaled
up to 70 wards.
Project Time Period
2010 to 2014
Project Partners
Bhopal Municipal Corporation; Madhya Pradesh
Pollution Control Board; Urban Development
Departments; Government of Madhya Pradesh;
Indian Council of Agricultural Research; Indian
Institute of Agricultural Science, Bhopal;
Environment Planning and Coordination
Organization (EPCO); Department of Housing &
Environment, Madhya Pradesh; Banks; Jan
Abhiyan Parishad and Madhya Pradesh Forest
Department.
Project Strategy
Involve and institutionalize the rag pickers as Sarthak Karmis through SHGs, link them to
social security measures, giving equal dignity and respect among the society and relieve them
of the blemished title of waste scavengers.
Train the Sarthak Karmis (SKs) to enhance their skills and practices to handle waste
reprocessing units.
Introduce the relevant technologies for efficient management of plastic waste in Bhopal city
in partnership with different stakeholders.
Expected outcomes from the project
The financial viability of this program was enhanced
by mechanically bailing of plastic waste which
results into reduced transportation cost (a truck now
carries 12-14 tons of bailed material than the earlier
tempo carrying load of 5 tons of loose waste). Nearly
12-14 trucks are despatched every month to 5-6
different Cement Plants.
Given the links and influence, one cement factory
alone saved Rs.14 crores (about US $2 million) in two
years on account of fuel cost through the alternate
use of co-processing of plastics. In 2009, the contract
with support from MPPCB was undertaken with 5
Cement Plants @ Rs.1.70 per kg of plastic of less than
50 microns. Today, it is now Rs 5.50 per kg; out of
which nearly Rs 4.30 is paid to Sarthak Karmis (SKs).
Nearly 2000 metric tons of plastic bags have, so far,
been collected and co-processed in cement klin in 5
cement plants. This has saved nearly 5,000 tons of
carbon emission from burning of plastic bags/waste.
The project has also supported its learnings to
influence the adoption of guidelines of the Ministry of
Environment, Forests & climate change GoI in terms
of using plastic waste as an alternative fuel.
A regular income of Rs.100 to Rs.150 per day has as
emerged out of the project for each Sarthak Karmi. In
addition, the other SKs are linked with employment
opportunities from other allied activities, like vermin
composting, paper making units and recycling of
plastic and other dry waste. 2 SHGs, comprising of 33
women are involved in newspaper bag making units.
Started with 165 workers in 5 wards, the activities are now spread into 30 wards with 1,465
rag pickers. The Municipal Corporations of 11 more towns of Bhopal have started
participating in the programme with Samrthak and have visited to understand the process
supported by GEF/UNDP-SGP.
In order to implement & monitor the Plastic Management Act 2011, the Ministry of
Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India appointed a State Level
Advisory Committee on 30 June 2011. The NGO Sarthak has been included as a
Representative of this High Level Committee to share the learning, practices & missing links in
the project.
More than 115 representatives from many States of India (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, etc.) have so
far visited the project site for learning the procedures and practices for making Action Plans for
their respective States.
On 3rd February 2011, the Government of Bhopal released a Policy on Plastics describing
Bhopal Model clearly and attaching the Sarthak Karmis as part of the Collection Centres,
thus recognizing them as an entity in the Policy.
About 3200 rag pickers have got regular employment through the project. Regular health
check-up is done and each rag picker is insured for Death & Disability giving their family a
secure future. The societal image of these rag pickers has increased. As a result of regular
health programs and free health-check-ups, improvement is visible in their general health.
In the last 4 years, 1500 persons were trained in the project for taking up additional
employment under various upcoming allied activities linked to waste management.
Interaction between the SKs, the NGO and the RWAs has improved significantly that ensures
smooth functioning and decision-making. More than 350 plus meetings of SKs and 100 plus
meetings of the RWAs have taken place in the project since last 4 years.
Sewage lines are prevented from choking ensuring health and hygiene in the city and avoiding
flooding during rainy season. This impact has resulted in Mr. Imtiaz Ali, Director, SARTHAK,
the NGO and GEF/UNDP SGP Partner, being selected for a State Award. He has been
awarded the Best Entrepreneur Award for recycling of plastic waste. The Award was presented
to him by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh State, Mr. Shivraj Singh Chauhan on 24th
March 2013 at a well-assembled gathering in the city of Bhopal. The event had a wide
coverage in the local newspapers.
The NGO has given more than 50 presentations at different forums in the country and has
been engaged as a resource person by GEF/SGP in various programs nationally and
internationally. He has recently been invited by Government of Rajasthan; and GEF/SGP
Timor'eLeste. He trained the visiting officials for 8 days on the approach.
 Standard Operating Procedures followed for handling of Plastic Waste at the
Centre
Step 1 The Sarthak Karmis come to the centre and give plastic and the payments are made after
weighing the stock to the Sarthak Karmi.
Step 2 Proper log book is maintained at the centre for the incoming stock.

Schematic Diagram for collection and processing of plastic waste

Main Collection Centre (Bailing) Cement Plants

Collection Centre Collection Centre

Sarthak Karmi Sarthak Karmi Sarthak Karmi Sarthak Karmi

Step 3 From the city collection centres, the plastic materials are collected and the payments are
made on weekly basis to the SKs and is recorded in the log book.
Step 4 The plastic materials collected are scanned, segrgated and the baling is undertaken. Each
bale weights of 100 kgs (2.5x3x3 Ft).
Step 5 The bales are packed and transported in trucks for co-processing in the cement kilns.
Mr. Imtiaz Ali says, earlier he had to wait to get an appointment with all authorities, but seeing Step 6 The plastic waste is fed through the feeding arrangements provide at ACC Kymore Cement
his work today, he is called by all the officials in all public meetings, functions decorated, and Works.
given great respect. Also adds, that today his Sarthak Karmis are greatly motivated and have
increased incomes through a range of skills, actions having sustainable livelihoods. Seeing all
this, he feels very happy that he is contributing in the area. He then blurbs 'We want to make
ourselves heard.'

Way forward
Sarthak is to supply waste plastic to Madhya Pradesh Rural Road Development Corporation
(MPRRD) for road construction. In a new development MPRRD had identified Sarthak to supply
the plastic as one of the additional material to construct long lived roads.
The NGO is to establish new Partial Composting and Vermicomposting Units in 20 colonies and 5
institutes of Bhopal. The development will create employment opportunities for 100 more Sarthak
Karmis.
One vermin compost Unit is established and has produced 2 metric tons of compost during the last
six months which is sold at Rs.3 per kg. In all the 5 wards, the areas for vermin compost are
identified and similar activities will start soon. Linkages are being brought with Forest, Agriculture
and Horticulture Departments to buy this vermin compost at Rs.4.50 per kg which is most likely to
take place shortly.
55 Ferro cement biogas units for waste ALTERNATE FUEL FEEDING SYSTEM
management will be established in A-27
A-26
colonies and institutions of Bhopal MSW TYRE AGRO
Imitiaz Ali awarded the best NGO Award by hon'ble Chief Minister MP
city. Present systems will be upgraded FEED CHIPS WASTE

A-28
for collection of plastic waste as new A-32 A-33
C O
market linkages have been identified A-29 A-66 A30 A31 A-46
Text Prabhjot Sodhi, Anil Arora, Imitiaz Ali Colours 9810037571/SGP/November/14
and new recycler units have been A-34
A-47

contacted. A-35 A-45

PLASTIC WASTE
A-36 Sarthak Samudayik Vikas Evam Country Program Manager
Waste paper and cotton bags will be A-8
1
A-37 A-23 A-44
A-48 Jan Kalyan Sanstha GEF UNDP Small Grants Programme
MSW-BIN A-25
A-20 A-21 TO PYRO STRONG S. I. Ali- Secretary, 597, Vargikrit Bazar, CEE Delhi.
prepared by the SHGs which will be A-82 A-83 A-24
New Categorised Market, Berasia Road, Bhopal (M.P.) C-40 South Extension-II,
A-38 A-65
sold to the local market. Agreements A-22 A-43
Tel.: 0755-4256039 Mob.: 09826325798 New Delhi-110049
A-39 Email : sarthkbbl10@gmail.com Ph.: 011-26262878-80
have also been made with the local A-40
A-41
A-42
Email : sgpdelhi@ceeindia.org
CALIBRATION CHUTE
shops to purchase the handmade bags. prabhjot.sodhi@ceeindia.org
www.sgpindia.org