From Hazardous Landfill Scavenging to Fair-Wage Material Recovery

Decentralized Material Recovery & Green Livelihood Hub · Verified Field Case Study

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Rajesh - From Hazardous Landfill Scavenging to Fair-Wage Material Recovery
Decentralized Material Recovery & Green Livelihood HubVerified Case Study
BeneficiaryRajesh (42 Yrs)
LocationEast Nathu Colony / Mandoli Link
Program AreaDecentralized Material Recovery & Green Livelihood Hub
DocumentationConsent Documented
1. Baseline & Challenge Prior to Intervention

Worked 20 years sorting hazardous waste without gloves or boots. Middlemen routinely cheated him on manual scale weights, paying under ₹4,500/month.

2. Targeted WWF Intervention & Methodology

WWF Central Material Recovery Hub

3. Key Enablers & Support Rendered
  • Biometric registration and issuance of certified Waste Worker ID Card
  • Full PPE kit (cut-resistant industrial gloves, steel-toe gumboots, high-visibility vest)
  • Transparent digital weighbridge access with direct weekly fair-price payments
  • Free anti-tetanus vaccination and quarterly clinical health checkups
4. Measurable Result & Outcome

Monthly income rose from ₹4,500 to ₹8,700 (93% increase) through direct aggregator pricing and zero middleman deduction.

5. Current Verified Status

Operating as a Lead Baler Technician at the Shahdara Material Hub; both of his children are enrolled in WWF Bridge School.

Verified by Waste Pickers Welfare Foundation Field Monitoring Unit