Solid Waste Management (SWM) Project
The Plan India-Coca-Cola supported SMS (Support My School) Mission Recycling project was implemented in 10 government primary and high schools and 10 surrounding local communities in Bengaluru and Hyderabad working areas. The project, which was closely aligned with the Central government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign), was aimed at sensitizing communities and school-going children on the issue of waste segregation and management and how they could contribute to ensuring better waste disposal practices in the school and community.
Awareness education on solid waste management was given to students and other stakeholders. Eco Clubs were started in the 10 schools and Environment Clubs in the 10 communities. Topics such as importance of waste segregation and using dustbins, disposal/ reuse of waste products and maintaining hygiene in schools and homes was stressed on in awareness education sessions and became the theme of school-level competitions in drawing and debates. Schools were supported to become sensitized to proper waste disposal through provision of dustbins and composting pits for wet waste, which was used effectively for school garden plots. The project also sensitized school teachers, Health Inspectors, Supervisors and waste collectors to solid waste management in the schools and communities.
APSA also carried out an advocacy component under the project with local duty-bearers. Meetings were organized with government and other stakeholders and IEC materials were distributed regularly in the working communities. The project also collaborated with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to ensure regularity and efficiency in garbage collection, segregation and disposal in the project areas.
The SMS project concluded in September 2018. However, the sensitivity and awareness on solid waste management continue to be practiced in the communities – at least 70% of families still engage in good solid waste segregation and disposal. The linkages made with the BBMP have also sustained past the project conclusion period, with the workers regularly collecting waste from the communities. Eco Club and Environment Club members at both school and community level continue to conduct regular meetings to discuss waste management concerns.
The project has impacted the lives of at least 3,000 children and nearly 10,000 adults in Bengaluru and Hyderabad
