Who We Are
The Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT) is a collective of SWM practitioners working on promoting decentralised sustainable waste management and inclusive livelihoods. SWMRT is a not-for-profit organisation registered under the Trust Act of Government of Karnataka (Regn. No. BK-IV-167/2018-19).
Our Vision
To reimagine waste as a resource.
Our Mission
To steer the transition into a low-waste world powered by the circular economy principles, decentralised and sustainable waste management practices by connecting with communities, industry, institutions, governments, formal and informal waste workers through the promotion of replicable and inclusive models for improved health, environment and dignity to livelihoods.
SWMRT embodies the spirit of voluntary engagement and participation driven through passion and commitment of its members. Its members have been able to motivate and infuse the same values in communities and networks that they engage with good outcomes.
Our Journey
2009 - 2018
SWMRT 1.0
SWMRT was launched as a citizen volunteer-led initiative in October 2009, and was supported by the Anonymous Indian Charitable Trust (www.taict.org).
2018 Onwards
SWMRT 2.0
In 2018, SWMRT was registered as an independent, not-for-profit Trust.
Since its inception, SWMRT has spearheaded several key community-based campaigns that have influenced significant policy decisions.
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Advocacy for three way waste segregation at source and decentralisation of waste management systems in the city.
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Advocacy for the establishment of Dry Waste Collection Centres (DWCCs) to retrieve dry waste at ward levels while promoting the inclusion of waste-pickers. This has now been recognised by Swachh Bharat as one of the best practices.
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Supported the campaign led by Hasiru Dala to include informal waste workers into Bangalore’s solid waste management systems.
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Co-promoted the 2Bin1Bag method of segregation that has been adopted by Karnataka and the wider community network.
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Launched the SwachaGraha campaign to nudge the citizens to take up a one-week challenge to compost, grow and cook. This has transformed itself into a multi-layered campaign.
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The BBMP embraced SWMRT’s Compost Santhe initiative to promote home composting in several wards during the pre-pandemic days.
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Swachagraha Kalika Kendra (SGKK) and Swachagraha Compost Connect (SGCC) were the natural spinoffs of the SwachaGraha campaign. While SGKK was all about establishing India's first composting learning centre, SGCC connected the compost-producing communities with farmers to encourage them to take the biomass back to the soil.
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Partnered with citizens groups on the Karnataka Plastic Ban.
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Championed the ward-level microplan, Citizen Participation Programme (CPP).
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Supported the Sustainable Menstruation programme.
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Supported the Trashonomics programme for school children.
Stakeholders we engage with
Since 2009, we have -
Been extensively engaged with the government and with ULBs (Urban Local Bodies) in Karnataka and Telangana.
Actively collaborated with RWAs and numerous other communities across Bangalore and other small towns and cities.
Engaged with solution and service providers in the areas of recycling, waste-picking, and organic waste management.
Been invited by and collaborated with prominent academic and research institutions.
Had our work covered extensively, by local, international media, radio, TV and have an active presence across various social media platforms.
Committed and passionate individuals which has led to a vibrant and engaged cadre of SWM practitioners ,who lead the way for local engagement and problem solving.
Awards
2014 - 2015 :
'The Karnataka State Environment Awards - 2015’ issued by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. The award was given to organisations in recognition of their outstanding contribution to environmental protection.
2013 - 2014 :
‘Rotary NGO Award for Excellence as Social Change Maker - 2013-14’.
2011 - 2012 :
‘Namma Bengaluru Award - 2011’ for the best ‘Community-based Organisation’ in 2011-12.