Pune's New Mechanised Garbage Collection Puts Wastepickers' Livelihoods at Risk
Pune: Tara Galfade is a wastepicker in Vimannagar, a role she has held for the past 22 years. Her future, however, is now uncertain with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) introducing mechanised garbage collection vehicles in the area on a pilot basis from September 1st.
The new system replaces the long-standing doorstep garbage collection model operated by SWaCH, an organisation of wastepickers. Members of SWaCH have alleged that the PMC launched the programme without any plan to include them, thereby putting their livelihoods at risk.
"My husband and I are wastepickers. We have no other skills. The vehicles from PMC have instructed housing societies to give their garbage to them. The system is free of cost, so why would society members pay us?" said Galfade.
"We used to earn some extra money by selling the collected scrap. Without any waste to collect, what are we supposed to do?" she added.
According to SWaCH, more than 3,500 wastepickers are engaged in doorstep garbage collection across the city. The sudden shift to mechanisation, they say, threatens not only their income but also their dignity and inclusion in the city's waste management ecosystem.
Head of PMC's solid waste management department Sandip Kadam defended the pilot project and urged citizens to support it. "There was a meeting between SWaCH members and PMC officials. We have promised to include them in the new model according to their skills. If they can drive a vehicle, they would be appointed in related roles. We want to make the waste collection process as mechanised as possible," he said.
Kadam further explained that the pilot was launched in Vimannagar due to repeated instances of open garbage dumping, which had led to increased bird activity in the area. "It could result in bird hits to aircraft as the neighbourhood is close to the airport. The system will be implemented across the city if it works well," he added.
When asked about integrating existing SWaCH workers into the new system, Kadam said, "Those wishing to be accommodated should approach the Nagar Road ward office and we will do it."
However, SWaCH members say the process has been opaque and poorly communicated. Aditya Vyas, a SWaCH representative, stated, "We held meetings with PMC officials in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and union leader Baba Adhav. We were promised SWaCH workers would not be excluded. However, the pilot was launched using staff on contract, without any notice to us. There was no clarity on how workers would be included."
Vyas mentioned that out of 63 SWaCH workers currently active in Vimannagar, 23 have already lost access to their work routes. "Who will pay for their loss of livelihood in the last 10 days?" he asked.
SWaCH has a standing agreement with PMC until 2029, and the union says it is not opposing new systems or technology. "We are not against change. However, the civic body must ensure that the rights and livelihoods of workers are protected," Vyas said.
"Where is the paperwork to integrate these people who belong to one of the most economically and socially disadvantaged communities? Most of our workers are women. When their income is disrupted, their families suffer. We need a clear integration plan," he added.
Vyas also led a delegation to Baramati MP Supriya Sule on Wednesday to seek political intervention.
