The Humanities and Social Sciences Program has invited Ms Aparna Susarla of the SWaCH Cooperative, Pune (www.swachcoop.com) to give a presentation. The presentation will focus on the struggles of waste pickers, the formation of SWaCH, the key milestones, achievements, advantages and challenges of the SWaCH model.

A brief note on the SWaCH Pune Seva Sahakari Sanshta Ltd:
SWaCH has emerged out of the successful struggles of KKPKP (Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat), a trade union of waste pickers & waste collectors based in Pune and registered in 1993, when waste pickers mobilized themselves to fight for their rights. SWaCH formally came into existence in 2008 and is India's first and only wholly owned cooperative of waste pickers.
SWaCH is authorized to provide door to door waste collection and other allied waste management services by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The scope of SWaCH includes collection, resource recovery, trade and waste processing. It seeks to provide decent livelihoods in the recycling industry. It is a one of its kind model that brings together waste generators and makes them more involved in waste management, waste pickers whose livelihood has been upgraded, and PMC which is helped by the door to door service that SWaCH offers. It is a dignified and sustainable, cost efficient, and de-centralized waste management model.

All are invited.

Date: 12 February 2015

Time: 6:00 pm

Venue: LHC 108.