Safai Sena

New Delhi, Delhi, India

Primary information

Year formed

2001

Registered in

2009

Language

English, Hindi

Type of members

Members are waste pickers

Occupation of members

Itinerant buyers, Itinerant workers, Scrap dealers, Waste pickers

Type of Organization

Membership based organization, Non governmental organization, Non profit organization

Organizational Reach

Local, National

Workplace of members

Collection from companies, Companies, Door to door, Dumpsite, Fixed, Landfill, Open, Other, Recycling center, Slums, Sorting center, Street

Membership

Yes

Organization Structure

Safai Sena works through local fortnightly meetings, one monthly meeting with leaders, an annual meeting and through various committees, We have voted for leaders from every area. They are responsible to help Safai Sena to solve local problems, to help network with local elected representatives and to share any news that is important, as well as keep our monthly meeting regular. Leadership structure: 1. President 2. Vice President 3. General Secretary 4. Treasurer 5. Ten Executive Members

Objectives

Safai Sena's objective is that adult waste handlers must be able to upgrade their work to green jobs, which means that apart from being good for the environment, our work should be safe, respected recognized and clean for us.

Education and training

Hygiene education, Leadership training, Learning exchange, Literacy & school, Mobilization, Rights & duties, Risks & health, Waste management

Partnering organizations

Chintan Environmental Research & Action Group

Affiliations

Aiw

Funding

Membership fees, Ngo funds, Self funded

Internal elections

Annually

Women composition

Social networking sites

Facebook
Twitter

Benefits

Member benefits

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

Safety & Technology

Risk training,

Services

What kind of relationship exists with the municipality?

Integrated into formal systems of source segregation

How is the relationship with the municipality?

Excellent and/or friendly

Types of materials

Biodegradable, Biodegradable waste, 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

Activities

Collecting materials, Collecting waste, Collection of recyclables, Collection of waste, Community storage of materials, Composting, Organizing collective events, Selling materials, Sensitization of locals, Sorting waste, Special collections from large generators of waste, Street sweeping, Training and capacity building, Waste collection, Waste management, Waste sorting

Sorting Spaces

Sorting center / sorting workshops

Challenges to access waste

Exploitation, Foul smell & contamination from waste, Harassment from authorities, 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

Complementary Information

Information source

Balmukund Kumar, Assistant Manager, Safai Sena Secretariat Programme provided this information to the Alliance of Indian Waste-pickers.

Comments / Narrative

Safai Sena means an army of cleaners. We are a registered group of waste pickers, doorstep waste collectors, itinerant buyers and other small waste material buyers, small junk dealers, and other types of recyclers. Safai Sena’s vision is that adult waste handlers must be able to upgrade their skills to access and create green jobs, which means that apart from being good for the environment, our work should be safe, respected, recognized and clean for us. Our dream for our children is that they go to school instead of becoming waste pickers.