Waste Ventures India uses an app to schedule doorstep waste pick-up from households and businesses across India, and recycles the waste into compost and new materials, providing stable economic opportunities for workers in the process

Waste Ventures India (WVI) helps cities in India collect and process waste via a door-to-door collection model. Trained waste pickers collect waste from thousands of households and businesses, scheduled via an app that arranges efficient pickup times. Customers are encouraged to separate their waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable bags, which reduces the cost of waste processing. After collection, waste is sent to WVI’s processing centers for composting, recycling and disposal. Organic soil compost is produced from biodegradable waste using an aerobic method that also reduces methane emissions. WVI finance their business in part by selling the compost to farmers and by converting avoided methane emissions into tradable carbon credits.

Why you should care

Forty-two million tons of waste is generated in urban India each year, according to WVI. Just 60% of the waste is collected – leaving the rest to fester in the streets or in landfills. WVI’s system converts collected waste into compost and has reduced pressure on landfills. It is also a new source of organic fertilizer for farmers.

How the Global Goals are addressed

Decent work and economic growth

WVI provide stable, decent jobs for Indians by guaranteeing equitable wages and no child labor. They estimate to have given opportunities to over 1,000 waste pickers from low-income communities.

Responsible consumption and production

Recycling waste into compost and new materials will be vital for avoiding unsustainable landfill practices, especially as populations and consumption continue to grow.

Climate action

WVI’s solution has helped to save around 2,000 tons of CO2 emissions, according to the company, thereby contributing to positive climate action.

Life on land

The company’s business model has diverted over 3,000 tons of landfill bound waste and used it to create organic compost for enriching agricultural soils.