Sustainable Cities, Stronger Communities- Kerala’s army of green warriors: the Haritha Karma Sena
In 2017, the Haritha Karma Sena project was introduced primarily as an entrepreneurial opportunity empowering local women to lead waste management efforts within their neighbourhoods. Formulated by State Government Order, a professional team consisting of Green Technicians and Green Supervisors, mainly Kudumbashree Neighbourhood Group (NHG) Women, were assigned with the responsibility of collection, transportation, processing, recycling/disposal, and management of waste materials in partnership with Local Self Governments (LSGs).
A Decentralised, Community-driven Approach
Embedded at the grassroots level, the workers of Sena visit a minimum of 250 households to collect non-biodegradable waste, building and encouraging community participation and improving compliance with waste segregation and recycling. Driven by community women, the initiative has seen increased cooperation between households and waste management workers. Currently, 1,034 Local Self-Governing Institutions (LSGI) in Kerala are working in tandem with 4485 Haritha Karma Sena groups and 33,411 Self Help Group women.
The Sena members are committed to waste management and to educating the public on a long-term cultural shift toward environmental responsibility at the grassroots level.
From Waste to Wealth – Recycling, Circularity, and Upcycling
A typical day in the lives of Sena members begins by collecting segregated clean waste from houses and shops, and conducting final segregation at MCF (Material Collection Facility), with mini-MCFs established at ward levels and supported by LSGI. Waste collected by the Sena is meticulously segregated into categories such as plastic, metals, glass, and electronic waste.
An example of recyclable- Recyclable plastics are shredded using machines at Resource Recovery Facilities (RRFs) managed by Clean Kerala Company or similar entities. Shredded plastics are repurposed for road tarring projects, giving new life to discarded materials and paving the way for a cleaner Kerala.
To date, 2,850 members have participated in clean-up drives addressing waste in landslide-affected areas and relief camps, clearing over 81 tonnes of waste, including biodegradable (10.6tn), non- biodegradable waste including plastic (49.47tn), biomedical (2.64tn), and textile waste(2.64tn), and sanitary waste (0.3tn).1 Beyond waste collection, the Sena has extended its activities to composting, manufacturing eco- friendly products, and providing organic farming solutions. They offer rental eco-friendly equipment, further supporting Kerala’s green transition.
Figure 1 Door-to-door waste collection and segregation
Figure 2 Segregation, drying, transportation at MCF
Building Income, Reducing Waste
The initiative has evolved into a significant economic driver transforming tonnes of waste into new opportunities for upcycle. In the financial year 2023–24, user fees collected for waste collection services amounted to approximately ₹22.43 crore from households, businesses, and scrap sales. In Thiruvananthapuram, the August 2024 profit from user fees reached ₹26.27 crore, with an average monthly income of ₹22,000 for HKS members. Additionally, ₹8.5 lakh in profit was earned from selling waste-derived products.
To support wage stability, the government provides a six-month viability gap fund. This dual revenue model ensures programme’s sustainability while offering consistent income to its workers.
Building Sheroes – contributing above and beyond to society
Our Sheroes are integral to the state’s waste management system, and their integrity shines through communal responsibility. In Kumbalangi, Kochi, two Sena workers, Jessy Varghese and Reena, found diamond jewellery worth over ₹4.5 lakhs while sorting through waste. They promptly returned the valuables to the rightful owner, setting an example of honesty. The two were rewarded for their act but chose to donate the money to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) to support Wayanad landslide survivors, earning widespread appreciation.2
A New Paradigm in Waste Management
The Haritha Karma Sena has transformed waste management into a professional service, training SHG women as Green Technicians and Supervisors. This shift ensures higher standards in waste handling while redefining public perceptions of waste management work.
In essence, Haritha Karma Sena isn’t just managing waste—it is pioneering change. From sustainable practices to employment creation, this venture is redefining waste management in Kerala, exemplifying potential of turning waste into valuable resource. The programme represents a shift from traditional sanitation methods to an inclusive, decentralised, and community-driven model, making these women the backbone of Kerala’s waste management revolution.
Figure 3 The Haritha Karma Sena team
By Naim Keruwala (Programme Director, CITIIS), Uttra Dasgupta (Knowledge Officer, CITIIS), Richa Thakur – Environmental Safeguards Officer, with inputs from Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd
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