Focused on promoting sanitation and hygiene, the initiative drives behaviour change through awareness on cleanliness, personal hygiene, and responsible waste management across communities. It emphasises decentralised, community-led solid waste management systems aligned with Swachh Bharat Mission and SDGs 6, 11, and 12, encouraging source segregation, recycling, and local processing.
Flagship models such as the Zero Waste Zero Cost initiative in Jhagadia demonstrate how waste can be fully diverted from landfills through composting and recycling, supported by a Public-Private-Community Partnership. Complementing this, the Nagar Palika-led model in Hardoi strengthens municipal systems through capacity building of sanitation workers and decentralised waste units, ensuring efficient waste processing while supporting livelihoods and environmental sustainability.
Solid Waste Management (SWM) initiative in Jhagadia, Gujarat, is a pioneering rural sanitation model that transforms how communities view and manage waste. Designed as a Zero Waste, Zero Cost system, the program ensures 100% diversion of waste from landfills while remaining financially self-sustaining through user fees, recycling, and compost sales.
Wet waste is processed into compost at the Sanitation Park and sold for use by farmers and to be used by District Administration, while dry waste is segregated, recycled, and sold to specific vendors, ensuring no residue goes to landfill.
Implemented through a unique Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPP), the initiative combines government support, CSR expertise, and strong community ownership. At its heart is the Sanitation Park—a multi-functional facility where waste is processed, composted, and recycled, while also serving as a space for awareness, learning, and recreation.
The program addresses critical challenges around poor waste disposal, environmental degradation, and public health risks. The initiative promotes decentralised, inclusive, and scalable sanitation solutions. Its success has led to replication in other regions and growing interest from industry partners.
Solid Waste Management (SWM) Program is implemented in Hardoi City. The initiative focuses on raising awareness around source segregation, encouraging decentralised waste management, and building the capacity of waste handlers—particularly Nagar Palika Parishad (NPP) sanitation workers. Through structured training and operational support, these workers are empowered to manage waste efficiently and contribute to cleaner, healthier communities.
At its core, the program encourages households and institutions to adopt source segregation, recycling, and upcycling practices to reduce waste and improve environmental outcomes.
A key feature of the program is the establishment of decentralised waste management units in each intervention area. These units handle 100% of the biodegradable (wet) waste generated by households, processing it locally through composting.
Meanwhile, dry waste is routed to the municipal Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where it is sorted and processed by formal and informal waste workers. This two-tiered system ensures effective treatment, reduces transportation costs, and supports local livelihoods.
