Avani

Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India

Primary information

Year formed

1994

Registered in

1994

Formally registered

On

Language

English, Hindi, Konkani, Marathi

Number of groups

14

Number of members

946

Type of members

Members are multi sector, Members are waste picker organizations, Members are waste pickers, Members employ waste pickers, Potential supporters, Waste picker support organization

Occupation of members

Itinerant buyers, Itinerant workers, Scrap dealers, Solid waste managers, Street sweepers, Waste collectors, Waste pickers

Type of Organization

Alliance, Community based organization, Non governmental organization, Non profit organization, Self-help group

Organizational Reach

Regional

Workplace of members

Door to door, Home-based, Open, Other, Recycling center, Sorting center, Street

Education and training

Business & project management, Cooperativism & solidarity economy, Leadership training, Learning exchange, Literacy & school, Mobilization, Rights & duties, Risks & health, Waste management

Partnering organizations

Verala Development society, Ekati Sanstha, Kolhapur Cancer Center

Affiliations

Aiw

Funding

Donor, Membership fees

Internal elections

Every 5 years

Women composition

Majority of women

Social networking sites

Benefits

Member benefits

Child assistance programmes, Clean & healthy environment, Education programmes, Id cards, Job creation & source of income, Legal assistance, Occupational health & safety, Savings or credit scheme, Social & pension benefits, Training & advocacy

Safety & Technology

Dust coats, First aid kits, Gloves, Masks, No, Risk training,, Safety boots, Yes

Services

What kind of relationship exists with the municipality?

Providers of infrastructure

How is the relationship with the municipality?

Excellent and/or friendly

Types of materials

Biodegradable, Biodegradable waste, Bones, Bottles, Cans, Charcoal, Clothing, Glass, Household items, Paper and cardboard, Plastic, Plastics

Are they selling to middlemen?

Yes

Activities

Cleaning, Collecting materials, Collecting waste, Collection of recyclables, Collection of waste, Community sale of materials, Community storage of materials, Composting, Farming, Organizing collective events, Recycling, Sensitization of locals, Sorting waste, Street sweeping, Training and capacity building, Transportation, Waste collection, Waste management, Waste sorting

Sorting Spaces

Sorting center / sorting workshops

Treatmet of organic materials

Composting

Challenges to access waste

Contamination from waste, Exploitation, Foul smell & contamination from waste, Lack of education & training, Lack of infrastructure & resources, Lack of recognition, Lack of tools, Lack of unity between organizations, Negative attitude towards waste, Obtaining licenses, Price fluctuations of waste, Privatization, Transportation

Complementary Information

Information source

Anuradha Bhosle provided the information to the Alliance of Indian Waste-pickers.

Comments / Narrative

Avani means food, cloth and shelter. It was registered in the year 1994. Avani’s goal is to eradicate child labour from all the occupations and provide them with education. Avani works in 8 districts of state of Maharashtra on educational rights of migrant children. It also focuses on the empowerment of women and their economic upliftment with a special focus on waste-pickers.