SWaCH Cooperative

SWaCH (Solid Waste Collection and Handling) members are self employed informal waste pickers & urban poor. It is India’s first such cooperative of waste pickers

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

The light of courage kindled by Baba in our hearts will keep showing us the way forward...🌼

Dr Baba Adhav - for workers, with workers, always!

Original writer: Heramb Kulkarni
Translation: Amogh Bhongale
Photos: Kagad, Kachra, Patra Kashtakari Panchayat and SWaCH Cooperative

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

बाबांनी लावलेला आमच्या मनातील हिंमतीचा दिवा दाखवत राहील आम्हाला आमची पुढची वाट... 🌼

डॉ. बाबा आढाव - कष्टकऱ्यांसाठी, कष्टकऱ्यांसोबत! नेहमी!

लेखन: हेरंब कुलकर्णी
संकलन: अमोघ भोंगले
फोटो: कागद, काच, पत्रा कष्टकरी पंचायत व स्वच्छ संस्था आर्काइव्ह

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

Senior labour leader and mentor of waste pickers, Dr. Baba Adhav, passes away; Waste pickers appeal for citizens’ cooperation as disruption in waste collection service likely tomorrow.

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

As aware Punekars, we should all know what’s happening with our city’s waste management system.
Here’s a quick two-minute read that breaks it down. Take a look, think it through, and decide for yourself
#wastePickers #SWaCH

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

मोठा उत्सव, मोठी जबाबदारी

As #Ganeshotsav begins, let’s celebrate with devotion and responsibility. Every mindful choice we make keeps our city and rivers clean. After all, with a great festival comes great responsibility.
Wishing everyone a Happy & Eco-friendly Ganeshotsav!

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

On the occasion of Independence Day, SWaCH waste pickers were honoured at the Dhankawadi Sahakar Nagar Ward Office by PMC Assistant Commissioner Surekha Bhange.
They were felicitated for the excellent work they do every day to keep the area clean.

#wastepickers #independanceday

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

This 15th August, we celebrate our country’s independence and the colours of cooperation, growth, and self-reliance.
#IndependenceDay #Cooperation #Growth #Indepence #79thindependanceday

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

Happy Independence Day!
For us, freedom means working with dignity, owning what we have built, and protecting it for the future.
In Pune, our SWaCH cooperative is that freedom, over 4,000 of us work as owners and entrepreneurs, serving the city with pride.

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

Sarika Karadkar is at the 113th #InternationalLabourConference in Geneva representing waste pickers with the
@globalrec_org
delegation! From SWaCH to the world stage 🌍- advocating for recognition, formalisation & social protection of informal workers. 📷#SWaCH #IAWP

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

Pune recycles 37% of its plastic waste—3 times the national average! This is a milestone we should all be proud of.
Let’s push that number higher with a #MindfulDisposalPlan.
Here’s a simple checklist to help you reduce plastic pollution and amplify the impact of #wastepickers

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

Pune’s waste pickers were recognized for their remarkable efforts in recovering plastic at a rate three times higher than the national average and recycling around 200 tons of dry waste every day.

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

In a special program, chaired by Hon. Environment Minister of MH @Pankajamunde & organised by Hon. MLA @HemantNRasane with MPCB, SWaCH waste pickers were invited to present their work of doorstep collection, higher plastic recovery for recycling, and environmental sustainability

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

The program was aimed at spreading awareness about eliminating single-use plastics. Waste pickers Rupali Gayakwad and Anuradha Gayakwad presented a SWaCH memento made of recycled MLP to Minister Pankaja Munde as a token of gratitude.

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

As part of #MenstrualHygiene Week, #SWaCH conducted a #RedDotAwareness session with the residents of Vasant Nagar, Kalewadi (Kothrud).
The session included an engaging discussion on the role of waste pickers in managing sanitary waste & the importance of proper disposal practices

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

The 10th #SSCexam is a significant milestone in every student’s journey toward a brighter future. Our children have overcome every obstacle in their path and passed with flying colours. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and wish them all the very best for the future.

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

Not just our children but we did it too!
Every day, after collecting waste from doorsteps & taking care of families, we opened our books.
We went back to school, we studied hard, and we cleared the SSC exam.
Cause learning doesn't come with an expiry date!

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

Every meeting brings us closer, stronger and more united. We talk, plan, and act for all waste pickers.
These are the updates from our latest Pratinidhi meeting.
#WastePickers #SWaCH

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

#InternationalLabourDay #SWaCH

[SWaCH Cooperative @swachcoop]

From doorsteps to compost pits, sorting sheds to biogas units — We keep waste out of landfills and return value to the system, every single day.
This International Labour Day, respect the hands that keep the city SWaCH.