Creating Jobs and Local Circular Economies Through Community-Led Waste Management

For the past five years, CLOCC’ approach to building waste management systems in rural areas have not only reduced ocean plastic pollution but created formal employment in the waste sector. By investing in local people and processes, not exported technologies, CLOCC has been building scalable, sustainable waste management systems in rural areas, with a critical focus on community participation and inclusive economic development.

Optimized Material Recovery Facility in Tabanan (TPS3Rs)

At the heart of CLOCC’s way of working is a belief that effective waste management must serve both environmental and social goals. In countries like Indonesia and India, waste pickers, often women, have long played an essential but undervalued role in recycling and waste collection. CLOCC recognises informal workers as key contributors to the circular economy and through our work, we aim to ensure to their integration into the formal waste system with safe working conditions, and social protection.

When CLOCC began working in Indonesia, many rural waste facilities were either non-functional or underutilized. Informal waste collection dominated the system, characterized by unsafe conditions, inconsistent income, and limited government support or recognition.

In partnership with the Indonesian Solid Waste Association and local organisations like GoSirk Indonesia, CLOCC has revitalised the waste management landscape across Tabanan, Banyuwangi, and Tegal. 

In Tabanan, CLOCC piloted a community-based approach in three villages - Bengkel, Dauh Peken, and Wongaya Gede with a focus on education, behaviour change, and participatory planning. Local villagers were empowered as champions, driving the implementation of a regional waste masterplan and ensuring long-term community buy-in. Technical assistance was provided to optimize local Material Recovery Facilities (known in Indonesia as TPS3Rs) and integrate them into village-level governance and budgets.

These once-inactive facilities in Tabanan now employ 89 staff, providing formal waste services to 6,000 households. This transformation has shown the critical importance of local and inclusive systems.

In Banyuwangi, CLOCC's masterplan has been adopted by the local government and enshrined in regional law, resulting in a thriving local circular economy. Here, active TPS3Rs now employ 143 people, servicing 70,000 households. In Tegal, 44 people are employed across TPS3Rs reaching 14,000 households.

As well as refreshing MRFs, CLOCC has provided new waste transportation equipment to optimise operations

Together, these three regions demonstrate that when rural waste systems are optimized, they can create hundreds of jobs, improve environmental outcomes, and scale to meet national policy priorities.

In Tamil Nadu, India, with support from the Grieg Foundation and implementation by Hand-in-Hand India, we are supporting women waste pickers to transition into formal roles with stable incomes and legal protections.

In the village of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, many female residents worked informally collecting beach waste for years without job security, social protection, or access to public services for their children. They faced systemic marginalization.

Hand-in-Hand has facilitated their formal employment as Sanitary Workers under the Mahabalipuram Municipality. They now receive a monthly salary of ₹10,000 ($120 USD), with social security and fixed hours. By continuing informal collection in the afternoons, their household incomes have increased to ₹16,000–₹18,000 ($186–210 USD) per month.

But the programme didn’t stop at employment. We worked with the District Collectorate to organize an Aadhaar registration camp, enabling their children to enrol in school and access essential services. This meant stable incomes, increased dignity, and future opportunities for the next generation, whilst boosting awareness and understanding around the importance of investing in waste management services. 

Mrs. Priya, Mrs. Mari, and Mrs. Selvi - Formalised Waste Workers in Tamil Nadu, India

Read more about the journey of Mrs. Priya, Mrs. Mari, and Mrs. Selvi, residents of Mahabalipuram, in our article here. 

The CLOCC programme in India and Indonesia has proven that inclusive, community-driven waste management can deliver measurable impact across environmental, economic, and social dimensions. By recognizing informal workers and creating dignified, stable jobs in the circular economy, we are helping communities build cleaner, more resilient futures.