ImpactLens highlights the transformative journey made possible by Aker Solutions in collaboration with CYDA, focusing on mobilizing communities, strengthening self-help groups, and implementing decentralized, sustainable waste management systems. This inclusive and hands-on approach has turned waste into a powerful tool for women’s empowerment. In Anandwan and Katewasti, women were not just trained—they were transformed. They have emerged as confident, capable changemakers, now leading their communities toward a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future.
When we think of waste we often think of something useless. Something to throw away. But what if we tell you that waste can actually change lives? That’s what happened in the lives of many women in Anandwan and Katevasti at Dapodi.
Come, be part of our journey—from not knowing what waste segregation was to becoming skilled community workers who manage waste, earn own income, and contribute to their families with pride.
A clean start for cleaner slums
Dapodi, a dense urban neighborhood in Pimpri-Chinchwad, has long struggled with unorganized waste disposal due to its high migrant population and lack of structured sanitation systems. Within this locality, the communities of Anandwan and Katewasti—consisting approximately 550 households faced chronic waste-related issues. But where there was a challenge, there emerged an opportunity to build a model, one that could inspire change across other urban centers.
With support from Aker Solutions and the collaborative efforts of Centre for Youth Development and Activities and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, the “Zero Waste Management Project was launched as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to transform the waste management landscape in these two communities.
An invisible crisis in the backyard
The residents of Anandwan and Katewasti, unaware of the consequences and lacking awareness or resources, indiscriminately dumped wet and dry waste together, posing serious threats to public hygiene, especially in a community dominated by migrant workers and daily wage labourers’. The streets would often be messy, and the environment was getting affected. The lack of segregation at source and minimal civic infrastructure made the situation worse.
Planting seeds of Transformation
To reduce environmental pollution, promote recycling and reuse of waste and create livelihood opportunities through community-led waste management, CYDA stepped in with a vision rooted in empowerment and sustainability, by coordinating with Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to formalize the engagement of local Self-Help Groups.
When we heard about CYDA, we thought it was just another NGO that would come, talk for some time, and leave. But their involvement turned out to be the key to changing everything. But we were wrong. CYDA became a very important part of our journey. Change came when they initiated an awareness campaign in the area. They did not just talk about waste—they talked about dignity, opportunity, and transformation –Ms.Surekha Dodmani
Dapodi’s waste management warriors
Members of self-help group joined the initial discussions. At first, people were hesitant and said, ‘We can’t do this. It’s too hard.’ Previously, some of these women had no choice but to clean toilets to survive. In the beginning, we didn’t know what was going to happen. Starting a registered SHG, however, was not easy. Many women faced resistance at home. Their families disapproved of them attending meetings and questioned their participation. But these women refused stood strong, supported one another and carved out a space for themselves.
This plant, set up on PCMC land, became the operational hub for Dapodi’s waste management. Designed with latest low-emission technology, seperate compartments for recycling, composting (NADEP and vermicomposting) and plastic processing have been integrated into the facility. The inauguration on November 4, 2024, marked more than just the opening of a facility—it was a celebration of public-private-community partnership. PCMC officials commended the collaboration, upholding further support and calling the initiative a model for other slum communities.
Building awareness, one household at a time
Parallel to infrastructure, CYDA focused on community outreach through awareness drives in both Anandwan and Katewasti. Door-to-door visits and interactive sessions educated households on the importance of seperating wet and dry waste. Demonstrations helped families understand how using simple dustbins at home could significantly improve public health. With training provided by CYDA team, they learnt the basics of self-help groups and the power of collective action. The project introduced innovative technologies designed for urban settings. To ensure the safety of the workers, CYDA distributed protective safety kits, including gloves, boots, masks, and reflective vests, during an orientation session on health and hygiene practices.
- A mechanical composter to handle large volumes of biodegradable waste.
- Vermicomposting and NADEP beds to convert kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost.
- A dry waste compressor to process recyclables efficiently.
- A sanitary waste incinerator to safely dispose of sanitary waste.
What we do now: Real Work, Real Impact
Today, the waste management system in Dapodi operates with efficiency and purpose. Women became responsible to collect daily wastes from all 550 households. Waste is transported in specially provided push carts to the Dapodi site. There, another team of five SHG members carry out manual segregation on large segregation bed—separating plastic waste in seven different types and micro segregation of wet waste for composting process
Today, women lead waste management at both communities. There both wet and dry waste are seperated. The collected wet waste sorted it and managed it through a process that included vermicomposting, Nadep composting, and semi-automatic composting. The remaining waste is categorized — plastic, paper, copper, scrap, Kurkure wrappers, white paper, diapers, sanitary pads — everything is sorted. Every day an average of 150 kgs of dry waste and 350 kgs of wet waste is been collected. Organic waste is processed through vermicomposting or NADEP methods to create nutrient-rich compost.
From Struggle to Strength
The formation of the Vaishnavi Mahila Bachat Gat, a women-led SHG from Anandwan, symbolizes this change. Clean communities replaced garbage piles. Segregation at source became the norm. Families began seeing the value in waste—and in the women who managed it. Their work not only transformed the community’s hygiene but also their own lives:
- Women who once earned low incomes, now managed compost production and dry waste sales.
- With their earnings, they opened bank accounts, supported their families, and sent their children to school with pride.
- Most importantly, they earned respect—from their families, their community, and themselves.
One of the group members reflected, “Earlier, we had no voice or work. Now, through this project, our homes are cleaner, our children are healthier, and our families value our work.”
Transformative Impact
Today, the Dapodi Zero Waste Slum Project stands as a model for sustainable urban waste management. It showcases how localized, community-led efforts can create lasting change. The neighbourhoods’ of Anandwan and Katewasti are cleaner, greener, and healthier. The SHG women have not just become waste managers—they have become community leaders, role models, and changemakers.
Sharing of few women
Without CYDA’s support, we would not have reached this point. They did not just train us — they empowered us. Thanks to their guidance, we are now able to run this program on our own. We are confident and capable. Before this work, we did not have any income. Today, we earn honorarium. When we bring our honorarium home, our family members respect us more. We are given importance. Earlier, no one asked us anything. Now, we have our own money, our own decisions, and a sense of pride we never had before.
