TIRUPATI (India CSR): In the bustling temple city of Tirupati, a transformative movement is underway. The Dalit Bahujan Resource Centre (DBRC) and Tetra Pak unveiled a pioneering project titled “Empowering Lives: Waste Pickers’ Path to Dignity and Sustainability.” This initiative is breathing new life into the waste picker community—unsung heroes who keep the city clean but often live on the margins, grappling with poverty, poor health, and social stigma. By blending livelihood support, education, and environmental awareness, the project is rewriting their story, one family at a time.
A Holistic Approach to Change
Launched in November 2024, this collaboration between DBRC and Tetra Pak is built on a foundation of compassion and practicality. It targets four critical areas to uplift waste pickers and their families in Tirupati:
Boosting Livelihoods with Tools and Opportunities
Waste pickers are the backbone of Tirupati’s recycling efforts, yet their earnings are meager. The project addresses this by providing tricycles and pushcarts—simple yet powerful tools that expand their reach and efficiency. As of March 2025, 59 waste pickers have received these assets, enabling them to collect more waste and explore alternative income streams like small-scale vending.
Opening Doors Through Education
For the children of waste pickers, education is often a distant dream. The initiative has established three Outdoor Learning Centers (OLCs), serving 90 kids with academic support, life skills training, and a pathway to formal schooling. These centers are more than classrooms—they’re beacons of hope for breaking the cycle of poverty.
Prioritizing Health and Security
Health challenges and lack of access to government benefits have long plagued this community. The project counters this with awareness drives on hygiene and sanitation, alongside efforts to connect waste pickers to social security schemes. Five training sessions have already empowered 150 workers with knowledge to protect their well-being.
Building Skills and Community Strength
From occupational safety workshops to leadership training, the program equips waste pickers with skills to navigate their world confidently. It also supports the Tirupati Municipal Corporation by donating pushcarts, enhancing citywide waste segregation efforts.
Milestones That Matter
The project hit significant strides on March 26, 2025, showcasing its impact in real time.
Pushcarts for a Cleaner Tirupati
In a ceremony attended by Sri Charan Teja, Additional Commissioner, and Sri Amaraiah, Deputy Commissioner, 10 sturdy steel pushcarts were handed over to the Tirupati Municipal Corporation. “This partnership is a game-changer for our city’s waste management and the lives of those who sustain it,” said Sri Charan Teja, applauding the initiative’s dual focus on infrastructure and human welfare.
Sparking a Recycling Revolution
Later that day, Mr. Kamlesh Kholiya, Sustainability Manager at Tetra Pak, kicked off a citywide recycling awareness campaign at Youth Hostel, Tirupati. Targeting 10,000 residents across 21 neighborhoods, the campaign aims to inspire responsible waste habits and honor the role of waste pickers in sustainability.
Tricycles Transform Lives
The distribution of 23 additional tricycles and pushcarts brought the total to 59, directly boosting the incomes of waste pickers. For beneficiaries like K. Subramanyam, this means tripling his daily earnings—from 200-250 rupees to 700-800 rupees—easing the burden of feeding his five children.
Voices from the Ground
In Scavengers Colony and Govindhapuram, project leaders met with families to hear their stories. Mrs. Ramulamma, a waste picker turned entrepreneur, shared, “With my new pushcart, I sell dry fish and earn more than ever. This project has given me dignity and a future.” Her words echo the initiative’s promise of tangible, lasting change.
A Model for the Future
“This isn’t just about aid—it’s about empowerment,” said Ch. Samuel Anil Kumar, Deputy Director of DBRC. “With Tetra Pak’s support, we’re proving that marginalized communities can thrive when given the right tools and opportunities.” The project’s success in Tirupati is already drawing attention as a blueprint for other cities aiming to blend social equity with environmental goals.
As the partnership grows, it’s clear that the real victory lies in the smiles of waste pickers and their families—proof that small steps can lead to monumental change.
(India CSR)
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