Support for Waste Pickers in Karnataka

Hi, these are spaces where you can support waste workers who collect and segregate household waste. 

1. Hasiru Dala (via WhatsApp) 

'In a neighbourhood dumping spot, you see men and women armed with old shoes, recycled clothes, a sickle, bag hanging on their shoulder. They bend a thousand times, walk miles to pick recyclable waste to earn their living. They maintain the city against the growing tide of waste. In Bangalore alone, wastepickers save the municipal authorities up to 84 crores for collection and transportation alone by picking recyclables from waste for transportation.

The informal waste sector is an essential extension of waste management and wastepickers are the key to recycling trade for 3000 tonnes of material. Now, wastepicker families are in a difficult situation under the COVID-19 outbreak; they must continue to work as they don’t have the privilege to work from home. However, the waste on the street that they can pick has reduced and children are out of school, that means they do not receive mid-day meals.

Hasiru Dala has identified ~1000 vulnerable wastepickers’ families (no BPL/ration card, no public housing, no predictable income) in 6 cities/towns in Karnataka (Bengaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Davanagere, Hubli/Dharawad) who need immediate support.

We are seeking your funding support for providing care kits consisting of 5 kg of rice/wheat, 2 kg lentils and 2 bars of soap, with each kit costing Rs.550/- including transportation to their homes. The bank details for transfer are:

Name on Account: Hasiru Dala

Savings Account #: 64132965349
Bank: State Bank of India, Cauvery Bhavan Branch, Bengaluru
IFSC: SBIN0003182

Please email to covid19carekit@hasirudala.in your name, PAN # and amount contributed to send your 80G receipt.

Want to do more? Join us in collecting and distributing the kits and email your intent to covid19carekit@hasirudala.in to help us coordinate.

Thanks for your support.'

ps: I'd like to remind you that while I get these messages from trustworthy sources, I have not personally vetted them and would recommend you do your homework while sending support. I have placed as many links as I can find for you to follow up!