In our second edition of Tamara Perspectives for World Environment Day, we had the pleasure of hosting a thought-provoking conversation between Shruti Shibulal and Nalini Shekar, the visionary co-founder of Hasiru Dala. This pioneering organisation has been at the forefront of waste management and sustainability in India. Their discussion shed light on the vital yet often overlooked role of waste pickers—aptly dubbed “silent environmentalists”—and the crucial need to integrate these unsung heroes into formal waste management systems to foster a more sustainable future.
Unsung Heroes of Waste Management
“Waste pickers are not just scavengers; they are silent environmentalists, reducing pollution and mitigating climate change without recognition,” Nalini stated, emphasising the critical role they play in diverting waste from landfills. Hasiru Dala, which translates to “green force” in Kannada, was named by the waste pickers themselves—a testament to their crucial role in this ecosystem.Working with over 20,000 waste picker families across Karnataka, Hasiru Dala has been instrumental in bringing these marginalised workers into the fold of official waste management systems. In Bengaluru alone, waste pickers now manage all inorganic waste, preventing an enormous amount of waste from reaching landfills.
The Economic and Environmental Impact of Event Waste Management
Hasiru Dala’s impact extends beyond daily waste management to large-scale events like weddings and marathons. Through its sister organisation, Hasiru Dala Innovations, they have popularised the concept of “zero-waste weddings,” where no waste ends up in landfills. “We call it zero waste because nothing goes into the landfill,” Nalini explained. This initiative not only reduces waste but also creates thousands of jobs, giving waste pickers opportunities to engage in new environments, such as marathons, where they are respected and appreciated for their work.
The Journey of Hasiru Dala
Nalini’s journey began in 2010 when she returned to India from the US. Her mission was clear: to change the perception of waste pickers from “dirty” scavengers to vital contributors to environmental health. “We needed to change their attitude about themselves first,” she explained. The organisation’s efforts have not only provided waste pickers with occupational ID cards but have also instilled a sense of pride in their work.In a groundbreaking move, Bengaluru became the first city to issue occupational ID cards to waste pickers, recognising their contributions on par with formal government employees. This initiative set a national precedent, leading to the enactment of a law in 2016 that mandated the issuance of such ID cards to waste pickers across India.
The Journey of Hasiru Dala
Nalini’s journey began in 2010 when she returned to India from the US. Her mission was clear: to change the perception of waste pickers from “dirty” scavengers to vital contributors to environmental health. “We needed to change their attitude about themselves first,” she explained. The organisation’s efforts have not only provided waste pickers with occupational ID cards but have also instilled a sense of pride in their work.In a groundbreaking move, Bengaluru became the first city to issue occupational ID cards to waste pickers, recognising their contributions on par with formal government employees. This initiative set a national precedent, leading to the enactment of a law in 2016 that mandated the issuance of such ID cards to waste pickers across India.
The Role of Hospitality in Sustainability
As the CEO of Tamara Leisure Experiences, Shruti Shibulal highlighted the importance of setting benchmarks and continuously working towards sustainability goals within the hospitality industry. “As an organisation, it’s crucial for us to have benchmarks so that we can continuously work towards a singular goal as a team,” she explained. At Tamara, this involves measuring waste and consumption and striving to reduce them year on year.Shruti also emphasised the significance of replacement strategies in achieving sustainability, noting the progress made in the availability of eco-friendly alternatives in the hospitality industry. She shared how customer demand is driving this shift, with more people becoming conscious of the impact of their choices. “The ecosystem itself is moving towards sustainability, driven by customer demand and awareness,” Shruti observed.
Sustainability Insights for Hospitality
One of the key takeaways from our conversation with Nalini is the importance of setting concrete benchmarks and continuously working towards sustainability goals. “Reduction, replacement, and reuse are the three pillars of any sustainable strategy,” she advised, urging industries to adopt these practices. The hospitality industry, in particular, can learn from these strategies by integrating informal labour into their service systems and making conscious choices in their operations.
For instance, small changes like not automatically providing straws with drinks unless requested can significantly reduce waste. “It’s the small things that businesses can do to drive change,” Nalini noted, sharing how Bengaluru became the first city where McDonald’s stopped serving straws by default—a change driven by the collective efforts of organisations like Hasiru Dala.
For instance, small changes like not automatically providing straws with drinks unless requested can significantly reduce waste. “It’s the small things that businesses can do to drive change,” Nalini noted, sharing how Bengaluru became the first city where McDonald’s stopped serving straws by default—a change driven by the collective efforts of organisations like Hasiru Dala.
Moving Forward: The Power of Collective Action
As consumers and businesses become more environmentally conscious, the role of organisations like Hasiru Dala becomes even more critical. The hospitality industry, with its unique position at the intersection of service and sustainability, has much to gain from adopting the practices advocated by Nalini and her team. By integrating informal workers into the formal economy, setting benchmarks, and making conscious choices, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future.
“The ecosystem itself is moving towards sustainability, driven by customer demand and awareness,” Nalini observed. As we continue to learn from these silent environmentalists, it’s clear that the path to sustainability is not just about grand gestures but also about the small, everyday choices that add up to make a significant impact.
“The ecosystem itself is moving towards sustainability, driven by customer demand and awareness,” Nalini observed. As we continue to learn from these silent environmentalists, it’s clear that the path to sustainability is not just about grand gestures but also about the small, everyday choices that add up to make a significant impact.
Embracing Collective Responsibility for a Sustainable Future
Our conversation with Nalini Shekar was a powerful reminder that sustainability is not just a buzzword—it’s a collective responsibility that involves every sector of society. The waste pickers of Hasiru Dala are proof that with the right support and recognition, even the most marginalised workers can become key players in the fight against climate change. Let’s take inspiration from their work and strive to make our industries, communities, and daily lives more sustainable.