TURNING WASTE INTO WEALTH : THE INSPIRING STORY OF WOMEN IN CHHATTISGARH

Waste has always been considered useless, but not for the women of Akaltara in Janjgir Champa district of Chhattisgarh. These women have turned waste into wealth by collecting door-to-door wet and dry waste from 20 wards under the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban. Within a year, these women earned Rs 1 lakh 42 thousand by selling waste like plastic tins, cartons, and empty bottles separately in SLRM Center.

The collection of waste starts at 6 in the morning, as 46 women of the group do door-to-door garbage collection every day through 15 hand rickshaws and 4 e-rickshaws. After this, the SLRM separates the waste in the centre after 12 noon. These women not only make the city clean but also become self-dependent. By selling the waste, their income also increases. Moreover, the municipality also gifts them gloves, gum boots, and sarees from time to time.

Their efforts have paid off, as the women have been getting 3 stars in the cleanliness ranking for the last two years. They have even received a cleanliness award in New Delhi from the Swachh Bharat Mission for their contribution to making the city clean. These women are not only doing their bit for the environment but also for their own empowerment.

Their inspiring journey showcases the power of determination, hard work, and collective effort in bringing about positive change. The aim of the municipality and these women is to make the city number one. Let us all take inspiration from their example and do our bit to make our environment clean and green.