CHF Reaches Milestone in India under Trash to Treasure Program

CHF Reaches Milestone in India under Trash to Treasure Program
CHF reached an important milestone under the Trash to Treasure program as 200 ID cards were issued to informal waste collectors in Bangalore by the city’s mayor. This event is the result of efforts by CHF and local partners to encourage the local government to take up the task of enumerating waste collectors throughout the city and issuing ID cards. These ID cards authorize them to collect waste within the city limits, makes them a member of the city-wide association of waste pickers established in the city, enables them to access government support like health care, and validates their livelihood in the city.
The Bangalore local government (BBMP) is the first urban local body in the country to issue such identity cards. There are an estimated 15,000 waste collectors in the city. Working with BBMP, CHF and its partners will continue to enumerate and issue ID cards to as many waste collectors as we can reach.
CHF’s partners include the Alliance of Indian Wastepickers, which is leading the enumeration initiative and Mythri Sarva Seva Samithi which is mobilizing NGOs throughout the city under the program. 
To learn more, please read the news stories below.
The Times of India—47-yr-old proud waste picker of Bangalore
Don’t be stumped if this waste picker speaks to you in English. For 21 long years, 47-year-old Lakshmamma has combed every inch of the city clean as part of her work. “Oh! You have such a nice name. I can understand what you say in English.. ” is what she told this reporter when they met at a press meet on Monday. This city cleaner is no less a linguist, what with her being able to communicate in English, Kannada, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Read full article.
The Hindu—BBMP issues identity cards for rag-pickers
Lakshmi, a rag-picker for the past 26 years, was a happy woman on Tuesday. Her efforts in keeping the city clean were finally recognised by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). She was among the 200 rag-pickers who were given identity cards by Mayor Sharadamma.
Speaking about her average workday, the 46-year-old said that a large part of it is spent trudging several kilometres, collecting recyclable waste from the city roads and homes. She earns around Rs. 100 to Rs. 200 on a good day by selling the waste she has collected.
Read full article.
Deccan Herald—Ragpickers to get Palike IDs today
Ragpickers, rechristened as ”Green Workers,” will soon get identity cards from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. Mayor Sharadamma will issue the first 200 cards on Tuesday.
Alliance of Waste Pickers, a non-governmental organisation brought as many as 15,000 green workers under one umbrella. Nalini Shekhar, an office-bearer told the media here on Monday that ragpickers help the Palike by facilitating recycling of at least 20 per cent of the solid waste going into the dumpyard. She said that the green workers would be employed at dry garbage collection centres to be set up in all wards of the City. “The employment provides them a regular source of income and an opportunity to lead a dignified life,” she said.
Read full article.