SHIDHULAI SWANIRVAR SANGSTHA (SSS)

SSS makes waste recycling more efficient in rural Bangladesh, thereby generating income for the organization and community. SSS has established a waste depot inside a remote village of Natore district. They have linked up with approximately 20-22 small scale waste pickers who bring in different products such as plastic, iron, tin, batteries, newspapers, rubber sandals, glass and so forth. These are transported in bulk and sold in Dhaka. To attract the waste pickers, SSS purchases the products at a higher price compared to others in the area. They also provided 4-5 waste pickers with low interest credit for them to purchase larger amounts of waste. To increase awareness and participation of village residents, SSS publishes a newsletter, conducts street-plays, and distributes leaflets on the importance and value of recycling. SSS states that by locating the depot in a rural area, they are ensuring that the waste product distribution chain is shorter and thus more efficient. Furthermore, they also point out that the community has become more conscious of recycling waste. For the future, SSS hopes to establish a waste exchange system to link waste generators with waste users/recyclers. In the last fiscal year covering the period June 2001 to May 2002, SSS generated approximately Taka 962,000 (appr. $18,600) from this program. SSS’s investment winning strategy blends raising public awareness about the benefits from recycling waste and mobilizing resources for the organization.