Dalit Bahujan Resource Centre (DBRC), in partnership with Tetra Pak, has launched an innovative project in Tirupati aimed at improving the lives of waste pickers. The “Enhancing Access to Entitlements, Livelihoods, Health, and Environmental Sustainability” initiative focuses on empowering waste picker communities, who play a crucial role in the city’s waste management but often face economic hardships and social exclusion.
The project launched by Dalit Bahujan Resource Centre (DBRC) in collaboration with Tetra Pak is designed around four key pillars aimed at transforming the lives of waste pickers in Tirupati. The first pillar focuses on livelihood support, providing tricycles and pushcarts to waste pickers. This initiative enhances their work efficiency, boosts their income-generating capabilities, and opens doors for alternative sources of livelihood, improving the overall financial stability of the community.
The second pillar centers on educational support, with the establishment of Outdoor Learning Centers (OLCs) to provide children with essential life skills and academic support. The OLCs help children of waste pickers integrate into formal education systems by offering tailored assistance that nurtures their growth and development, ensuring they have the tools to succeed in school and beyond.
In the realm of health and social security, the project raises awareness about crucial health practices and helps waste pickers access necessary government services. This includes information on hygiene, sanitation, and available social welfare schemes, ensuring that waste pickers are not only equipped with knowledge but also have the means to improve their health and well-being.
Training and capacity building form the fourth pillar of the project. Waste pickers are offered training in occupational health, helping them adopt safer working practices. In addition, the project provides knowledge on navigating social security schemes and enhances leadership skills, all while assisting the Tirupati Municipal Corporation in strengthening its waste segregation efforts to improve citywide waste management.
Since the project’s inception in November 2024, there has been significant progress. The establishment of three OLCs has already benefited nearly 90 children, providing them with educational support and helping them transition into formal schooling. Additionally, five training sessions have been conducted for 150 waste workers, focusing on improved safety practices and skills, which directly enhance their working conditions and well-being.
In terms of livelihood support, the project has made notable strides with the distribution of tricycles and pushcarts, which have significantly improved the work efficiency and financial stability of the waste pickers. Furthermore, awareness campaigns on health, hygiene, and environmental issues have been carried out, including sensitization drives in schools and colleges to foster responsible waste management among the younger population.
The milestones achieved on March 26, 2025, marked key progress in the initiative. Ten steel pushcarts were donated to the Tirupati Municipal Corporation to support its waste management efforts, with the ceremony attended by key officials including Sri Charan Teja, Additional Commissioner, and Sri Amaraiah, Deputy Commissioner. The event highlighted the positive impact of the project on waste management infrastructure and acknowledged the important role waste pickers play in environmental sustainability. Additionally, a citywide recycling awareness campaign was launched, aiming to reach 10,000 residents and promote responsible waste disposal practices. The ongoing distribution of 23 more tricycles and pushcarts brought the total to 59, further supporting the livelihoods of the waste pickers in the community. Through these efforts, the project continues to build a stronger, more resilient waste picker community in Tirupati.
Ramulamma, a beneficiary, shared, “With the four-wheeler pushcart I received, I’ve started selling dry fish, which has boosted my income. I’m so thankful to DBRC and Tetra Pak for changing our lives.” K. Subramanyam, another beneficiary, explained, “Before receiving the tricycle, I carried heavy waste sacks for miles, earning just a few hundred rupees. Now, with the tricycle, I earn 700 to 800 rupees daily. It has transformed my family’s life, and I’m incredibly grateful.”
Ch. Samuel Anil Kumar, Deputy Director of DBRC, commented, “This partnership with Tetra Pak is a game-changer for waste pickers in Tirupati. We are not just improving incomes but rebuilding lives and breaking cycles of marginalization.”
This collaboration between DBRC, Tetra Pak, and the Tirupati Municipal Corporation underscores the potential of targeted interventions to promote social inclusion, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability, setting a strong example for other cities to follow.
