Saahas, a not for profit organization was set up in 2001 under the Society’s Act. Saahas primarily focusses on programs based on the concepts of ‘Source Segregation and ‘Decentralized Waste Management’ within the framework of the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016. Saahas works with government institutions, corporates, households and schools to bring attention to best practices in the management of solid waste and also establishes collection and processing infrastructure. The programs also provide better livelihood opportunities for the informal sector and people at the base of the pyramid.
Our programs are aimed at scientific managements of all Municipal Solid Waste streams. We have tied up with authorized e-waste recycler to collect e-Waste from households and other non-bulk waste generators. The waste that is collected is sorted and aggregated in our community waste management center and sent to the authorized e-Waste recycler.
We also work with the informal sector to strengthen the capacities of workers and provide better livelihood opportunities.
Key Products, Services, Programs
Saahas works with all generators of waste to implement best practices in waste management as stipulated by the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 released by the MOEFCC. Saahas is committed to providing holistic and scientific solutions to managing waste at the source, thereby creating Zero Waste Communities.
Saahas collects and processes 40Tons of waste per month. It provides livelihood opportunities, thereby strengthening the informal sector involved in collection and recycling of waste. Saahas organizes awareness and sensitization programs on various issues related to waste management and our programs target the different waste streams like wet waste, dry waste, e-waste etc.
The ongoing and approved programs of Saahas are given below:
- Beyond the Broom program covering 12 villages in Bellary district that creates awareness about segregation at source, has established mechanisms for dry waste collection and processing. The villages have seen a significant reduction in the amount of plastics being dumped/burned in the open. (Funding partner: JSW Foundation)
- Set up three community waste processing centers (Kasa Rasa) in Bangalore where segregated waste from communities is processed. Organic waste is composted at the center. Dry waste is further sorted into different streams and sent to appropriate recyclers. (Funding partner: Global Communities, Caterpillar Foundation, Bosch, Capgemini)
- Program for e-waste awareness and collection drive from households in Bangalore. This involves setting up collection drop boxes for e-waste and organizing awareness campaigns in apartments, institutions and schools about e-waste. (Funding partner: VMWare)
- alag Karo program in Gurgaon to implement segregation at source in apartments, offices and schools. Saahas works with waste workers to sensitize them about segregation at source and resource recovery from segregated waste. (Funding partner: Coke, Tetra Pak, GIZ)
- Ward level decentralized waste management program in Bidar, a town in North Karnataka involving awareness, collection and processing of wet and dry waste. (Funding partner: Nestle, Deccan Heritage Foundation)
- Rural waste management program at outskirts of Bangalore in 11 villages of Hoskote Taluk and in Chikkajala village. (Funding partner: Juniper Networks)
- Running a waste management program around Puttenahalli Lake in Bangalore for low income housing colonies. (Funding partner: ThoughtWorks)
