Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP)

Pune, Maharashtra, India

Primary information

Year formed

1993

Language

English, Marathi

Number of members

10,256

Type of members

Members are waste pickers

Occupation of members

Itinerant buyers, Solid waste managers, Waste collectors, Waste pickers

Type of Organization

Trade union

Organizational Reach

Local

Workplace of members

Collection from companies, Companies, Door to door, Dumpsite, Fixed, Home-based, Landfill, Open, Recycling center, Sanitary landfill, Slums, Sorting center, Street

Membership

Yes

Organization Structure

KKPKP has a democratic structure, with decisions being made by an elected group of waste picker representatives from across different slum communities’. The body is re-elected every 5 years

Education and training

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

Partnering organizations

SWaCH Seva Sahakari Sanstha, Kashtakari Panchayat Trust, Kagad Kach Patra Nagari Pat Sanstha, SWaCH+, Alliance of Indian Waste pickers, WIEGO, Anga Mehanti Kashtakari Kruti Samiti, Action for the Rights of the Child, Sampark Samiti

Affiliations

Aiw

Funding

Donor, Donor funded, Government, Interest on loans, Local population pay fee, Membership fees, Ngo funds, Partners

Internal elections

Every 5 years

Women composition

70,0% Majority women

Social networking sites

Benefits

Member benefits

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

Number of credit / saving members?

4500

Safety & Technology

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

Services

What kind of relationship exists with the municipality?

Integrated into formal systems of source segregation, Providers of infrastructure

How is the relationship with the municipality?

Excellent and/or friendly

Types of materials

Animal waste, Biodegradable, Biodegradable waste, Bones, Bottles, Cans, Clothing, Electronic waste, Glass, Household items, Metals, Organics, Other, Paper and cardboard, Plastic, Plastics, Shoe soles, Tetra brik

Are they selling to middlemen?

Yes

Sorting Spaces

Sorting center / sorting workshops

Treatmet of organic materials

Composting

Challenges to access waste

Availability of waste, Contamination from waste, Exploitation, Foul smell & contamination from waste, Harassment from authorities, Lack of education & training, Lack of infrastructure & resources, Lack of tools, Negative attitude towards waste, Obtaining licenses, Price fluctuations of waste, Privatization, Transportation

Complementary Information

Information source

Shrenik Mutha of KKPKP provided this information to the Secretariat of the Alliance of Indian Waste-pickers on 19th January 2020.

Comments / Narrative

Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat, a trade union, bringing together waste pickers, itinerant waste buyers, waste collectors and other informal recyclers, (all self-employed workers) of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad was registered in 1993. These workers recover, collect, categorise and sell scrap materials for recycling. They pick up what someone has discarded as having no value and give it value through their labour. They are typically treated like the trash they collect. KKPKP has successfully argued that their work is environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, economically productive and saves municipalities crores of rupees in solid waste management. This position, after years of struggle and engagement with various stakeholders, has ensured that the wastepicker members of KKPKP have visibility, voice and validity in the city that is unique. Their struggle to enhance the conditions of their work and living continues.