What We Do
SWMRT works on the issues surrounding SWM through a multi-dimensional, multi-layered and gender-neutral approach. Our work includes:
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Conceptualising and leading behavioural change campaigns
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Advising on strategy and policy advocacy
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Facilitating through creating community-based models/tools and enabling and empowering stakeholders for implementation
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Action research and data analytics
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Conducting capacity building, training and other educational programs.
We strongly believe that effective campaigns drive behavioural change, To this end SWMRT has created and supported various campaigns to raise awareness on segregation of waste at source and promoted composting, sustainable menstruation, sustainable living, festival and event waste management, among others. Some of our special thematic campaigns include communicating policy changes and research to build an appreciation and understanding of the issues around responsible SWM. All our campaigns are well-thought-out and involve long-term engagement to encourage adoption of lifestyle changes at all levels. The platforms used include digital media, traditional media and focused outreach activities.
Since 2009, we have been working with various stakeholders building a roadmap of decentralised waste management to address the need for resource recovery policy and zero-waste-to-landfill policy for India.
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Focus areas
We continue to advocate for sustainable SWM at all levels of policy-making, be it at the ward, city, state or national levels , focusing on implementing structural changes which reflect our ideology.
Influencing Policy
Ongoing legal advocacy, since 2010 through Lok Adalat and subsequently through the High Court of Karnataka has been an important game changer in influencing policy which among other interventions also resulted in influencing the national policy leading to the SWM Rules 2016. We continue to work with various departments and agencies at different levels including the BBMP, the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) of Karnataka and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to usher in the much-needed change and work towards adopting sustainable practices from waste disposal to waste management.
Creating models and tools for problem solving
This is at the core of the interventions that we do. The solid waste management problems are first identified, deconstructed and then reconstructed again, integrating the requirements of waste hierarchy, economic and business considerations, livelihood and occupational objectives. This is done on an ongoing iterative way, thus refining the models, as learnings improve and eco systems become more robust.
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Facilitating for implementation
The early stages of faciliation is done to create pilots which demonstrate the proof of concept. Once proved successful, facilitation in the next stage is done with the intent to institutionalise the model which will ensure scaling up of adoption. Facilitation in both stages is done through multi-stakeholder engagement and collaborations.
Facilitation involves community-organising activities, institutional engagement and consulting, community-building through programmes, outreach activities, knowledge-partnering with implementation and funding partners, technical assistance, direct engagement, pushing for policy change and active promotion through campaigns to achieve the behaviour change.
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Models of waste management
A model is an approach or methodology developed to achieve the goal through well defined practices in keeping with the underlying ideology. It seeks to address the process, economic and social requirements in a comprehensive manner which can be applied in any urban or rural context irrespective of scale of city town or community. Several models have been developed which attempt to address multiple aspects to achieve the final goal of sustainable solid waste management , to which SWMRT is committed to.
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Our research and data analytics involves stakeholder mapping, reviewing government regulations and global trends, landscape research, material flow analysis and policy and budget analysis. Based on our on-the-ground experience with communities, our research focuses on case studies, ethnographic studies, quantitative and qualitative analyses. We conduct action research and exploratory studies for new themes, ideas, pilots and observational studies. We collaborate with partners for laboratory-based research wherever necessary. Our research documents are open source and are available in the public domain.
Education includes training and capacity building. Participants include citizen volunteers, municipality officials, corporate staff, students and the general public. The education and training is carried out through Knowledge creation by developing toolkits, guides, handbooks Knowledge dissemination through sessions, demonstrations Tailored training programmes for corporates, schools, colleges and government offices Capacity-building of government and elected representatives Learning centre engagement Incubation centre for SWM Train-the-trainer series for citizens
Training of all stakeholders
Over the years, it has been amply evident that training key stakeholders is important for adoption and implementation of solid waste management principles. While the general public needs just awareness and information, municipal staff and administration need in-depth training. Training ensures that municipal officers are made conversant with the SWM Rules, regulatory requirements and the technical requirements.In addition, master training programs using a Training of Trainer (TOT) approach also enables creating a cadre of citizen practitioners to bring about change in their ward through constructive engagement.
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Bringing experience and expertise to training
Our training covers theory, practice, field study from a very experienced group of practitioners that not just share the knowledge but motivate and inspire the participants to be the agents of change. Our training sessions include classroom learning, experiential learning and field observations.
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