Transforming Waste Work: Lessons from the CLOCC-Grieg Partnership in India

In March 2025, Oda Korneliussen and Mads William from Sirk Norge visited communities in India  and witnessed firsthand the powerful impact of Grieg Foundation’s support of CLOCC. These visits revealed how in these villages waste pickers—long excluded from formal systems—are gaining new tools, knowledge, and confidence to reshape their futures. 

At the heart of this transformation is the rise of the Recycle Guardians—a new identity proudly embraced by waste workers across Tamil Nadu through support from the Grieg Foundation and CLOCC’s partnership with Hand-in-Hand India. In just a few months, 136 families have been mobilized through training in literacy, financial skills, and waste management. Dressed in bright green shirts that read “We are Recycle Guardians, Not Waste Pickers,” they are gaining recognition as essential environmental stewards—building cleaner communities and reshaping public perceptions of their work.

In Melakottaiyur, thirty individuals from six families are seeing their income rise by over 50%, thanks to a hybrid model that blends informal morning collection with direct access to a materials recovery facility (MRF) in the afternoon. With support from the CLOCC program, they’ve received refurbished tricycles, solar lighting for night work, and personal protective equipment. For some, the journey toward formalization has begun: three community members now hold formal roles in waste segregation. While formal integration remains complex due to local governance structures and social stigma, the groundwork has been laid. 

In Kelampakkam, two newly deployed waste collection vehicles have doubled income levels for local waste workers. With a total of ten vehicles distributed across vulnerable areas, collection from informal dump sites has become more efficient, even though local MRFs still struggle to manage the increased volume. Improved access to scrap dealers is helping bridge this gap.

In Thiruporur, language and cultural barriers have slowed efforts to formalize waste work, but the engagement of the Hand-in-Hand team is leading to steady progress. Residents, many of whom do not speak Tamil, now earn double what they did before through waste collection, particularly in the more tourist-centred sites like beaches and temples. While official recognition is still difficult, the CLOCC team clearly witnessed improvements in hygiene, digital skills, and financial literacy are laying the foundation for long-term change.

In Mahabalipuram, waste pickers operating around beaches and temples face some of the toughest conditions. Without ID cards or panchayat recognition, families are frequently displaced and excluded from formal services. Yet even here, support from the Grieg Foundation has brought many improvements—solar panels for each household, protective clothing, and basic safety gear. For many, the dream is simple but powerful: less physical burden in daily work, and better opportunities for their children.

“It was amazing to see how people are stepping into their roles as Recycle Guardians with so much pride. It’s not just about better income or equipment—it’s about feeling valued and respected. You can really feel the shift in how they see themselves and how the community sees them. Hopefully, even more people will get to experience that kind of transformation.” Said Oda, of her visit to the villages.

Across all four communities, around 250 individuals are now direct beneficiaries of the CLOCC-Grieg partnership. Vehicles and logistics improvements are enabling better waste collection, while access to health schemes and safety equipment is reinforcing the benefits of formalization. But the path forward is not without challenges. Legal recognition, cultural acceptance, and integration into government systems remain significant barriers. Still, these communities are proving that with the right support, transformation is not only possible—it’s already underway.

What has been proven already with the success of the Grieg-supported program is that the community-focussed approach works and with additional resources can be scaled and replicated across many villages and regions in India.

While the ultimate goal is to integrate informal waste pickers into formal waste systems, this is a gradual process that requires many steps. CLOCC’s approach starts with what matters most: improving income, safety, and working conditions. Over time, the aim is to ensure stable jobs, legal recognition, and access to social protections. Integration can take many forms—from formal employment with worker rights to partnerships that allow informal workers to collaborate with local authorities. What’s clear is that when these workers are equipped with the right tools, training, and recognition, they’re not just cleaning up communities—they’re helping build a more inclusive, resilient circular economy.