Guwahati, 30th August 2024: The PepsiCo Foundation, in partnership with Pyxera Global, launched the ‘Cooperative for Solid Waste Management’ (CSWM) today in Guwahati, Assam. The launch event was graced by the Guest of Honor Dr. B Kalyan Chakravarthy, IAS, Principal Secretary, Cooperation, Government of Assam.

Aligned with PepsiCo India’s guiding principle of ‘Partnership of Progress’ (Unnotir Onshidaritwa), this initiative aims to create an enabling environment for waste workers in the region by addressing their challenges through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions, during the next 15 months. Through this partnership, PepsiCo India and Pyxera Global aim to set the foundation for a transformative journey of waste management and make measurable progress in elevating the role of waste collectors in waste management ecosystem, drive economic growth and meaningful change in the region. Several community members who have already attended a health camp organized as part of this initiative, were present for the launch event and shared their stories of resilience and were felicitated with PPE kits by the PepsiCo and Pyxera teams.

The project will bring together at least 100 waste collectors as active members of the CSWM to address their key requirements:

• Potential Increase in Annual Income: Enable formal income structures by integrating waste collectors into the formal solid waste management system, eventually boosting their annual income.
• Enhance Professional Capacity: Improve the professional capacity of waste collectors through professionalization workshops for skill development, capacity-building initiatives, and support for establishing necessary business linkages.
• Promote Health and Well-being: Improve the health and well-being of waste collectors by conducting a minimum of four health camps focused on addressing health hazards specific to waste collectors.

Speaking at the launch of the CSWM, Dr. B. Kalyan Chakravarthy IAS, Principal Secretary, Cooperation, Government of Assam, said, “I am very pleased to launch this initiative, and my compliments to PepsiCo Foundation and Pyxera Global for this great effort. This Cooperative will lead to a new horizon for waste management in the circular economy. I encourage the waste management community members to actively participate in this endeavor for collective progress in the city and community.”

Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Head Sustainability, PepsiCo India and South Asia said, “Through this initiative, PepsiCo India’s guiding principle of ‘Partnership of Progress’ fits in naturally with the Ministry of Cooperation’s vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation), serving as a model for shared responsibility towards equitable progress. And we are grateful to the Government of Assam for their vital support. In partnership with the Pyxera team, we are committed to enabling an inclusive, sustainable waste management model in Guwahati, enhancing the waste workers’ resilience and prosperity.”

Yash Ranga, Director Partnerships & Innovation, Pyxera Global, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with the PepsiCo Foundation to drive meaningful change in the waste collection ecosystem. Through this collaborative effort, our aim is to address the root causes of social and economic disparities faced by waste collectors. By providing them with the necessary tools, training, and support, we are fostering a community where everyone can thrive and contribute to a sustainable future.”

The Cooperative will leverage the knowledge and expertise of Recity Network and Kushaagra Innovation Foundation (KIF) to address the challenges faced by waste workers.

As part of launching the CSWM, a baseline survey was conducted with ~1000 waste workers by Pyxera Global to lay the context. It shows that 1500+ waste pickers working informally/ semi formally are living in and around the Guwahati city; they play a critical role in extracting the quantum & quality of materials for recycling purposes. In the larger context of waste management, this ensures increased diversion of waste from landfill and aids the recycling of valuables for circularity. Women workers form more than half of the picker community surveyed which shows a potential to enable them through self-employment or entrepreneurial models.

The majority of the surveyed pickers were unaware of the government health schemes available, which is an aspirational need for them working through largely informal incomes.

The CSWM initiative represents a significant step towards empowering waste workers and integrating them into the formal economy, with the PepsiCo Foundation and Pyxera Global enhancing livelihoods while contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment.