The organizations listed in this WAW database were the result of the effort to merge in one place multiple waste picker related organizations data bases in 2014. Visit the current list of affiliates to the International Alliance of Waste Pickers.

Ekati Samajik, Saikshanik, Vaidyakiy, Bahu-uddeshiy Sevabhavi Sanstha

Year formed: 2012
Registered in: 2012
Language: English, Hindi, Marathi
Number of groups: 9
Number of members: 320
Type of members: Members are multi sector, Members are waste pickers
Occupation of members: Solid waste managers, Waste collectors, Waste pickers
Type of Organization: Non governmental organization, Self-help group, Women´s group
Organizational Reach: Local
Workplace of members: Door to door, Home-based, Open, 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, Avani Sanstha, Kolhapur Cancer Center
Affiliations: Aiw
Funding: Donor, Membership fees
Internal elections: Every 5 years
Women composition: 100,0% All members are women

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

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, Metals, 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

Information source: The information was shared by Ekati coordinator with the secretariat of the Alliance of Indian Wastepickers

Ekati works on the issues faced by women, especially homeless women and wastepickers. Ekati provides legal counsel and training women.