India’s waste management landscape is at a critical juncture. While national policies and plastic bans signal progress, real change remains elusive, especially in tourist-heavy towns and rural areas where there are infrastructure gaps, behavioral inertia, and a lack of integration between policy and practice. At the heart of this challenge lies the need for a shift: from short-term waste disposal to circular, community-led systems that reduce waste at the source and regenerate local ecosystems.
With more than ten years of experience, Waste Warriors has led this change by working with Gram Panchayats, educating waste workers, introducing tech-powered tools for public engagement, and developing inclusive waste processing models. In this interview, Vishal Kumar, CEO of Waste Warriors and partner of the ClimateRISE Alliance, shares insights on what’s holding back India’s waste reforms, why decentralization and citizen participation are crucial, and how creative, grassroots innovation is driving a new vision for sustainable waste management, one rooted in local realities.
One of the most significant hurdles is the lack of systemic integration among policy, infrastructure, and public behavior. While initiatives like plastic bans and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks exist, their implementation remains fragmented and inconsistent. EPR, which places responsibility on producers to manage the entire lifecycle of their products—including collection, recycling, and disposal—is a step in the right direction, but the ground reality tells a different story.
Plastic is still widely treated as a nuisance rather than a resource. This mindset influences city planning, with more attention given to collection and dumping rather than to segregation, recycling, or reuse. Even where segregation is practiced, around 50–60% of collected plastic is low-value, like multi-layered packaging, which is economically unviable to recycle. This challenges the idealistic 'waste is wealth' narrative and calls for more realistic conversations about how we handle non-recyclables.
A major hurdle to transitioning Indian cities from short-term waste disposal to circular, sustainable waste management is the lack of systemic integration among policy, infrastructure, and public behavior, especially concerning plastic waste.
While there have been commendable efforts at the national and local levels, including bans on plastic and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, implementation on the ground is fragmented. EPR is a policy approach where producers are made responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, especially after consumers are done with them. This includes the collection, recycling, and safe disposal of the products and their packaging.
Another major issue is that plastic waste continues to be treated as a nuisance rather than a resource. This mindset trickles down into how cities plan waste systems, with a focus on collection and disposal rather than segregation, recycling, and reuse. However, even when segregation is achieved, the reality is that nearly 50–60% of the waste collected is low-value plastic waste, such as multi-layered packaging (MLP), which is extremely difficult and economically unviable to recycle. This challenges the long-standing notion that 'waste is wealth' and calls for a more honest conversation about how we manage such non-recyclables.
In addition, sanitary waste, which includes diapers, menstrual products, and other biomedical items, poses another critical challenge, both in collection and safe, sustainable disposal. Most cities lack a decentralized system to manage this waste stream, often resulting in environmental and public health risks.
There’s also a critical gap in infrastructure. Urban areas often lack decentralized waste processing units, reliable material recovery facilities (MRFs), and consistent support for the informal waste sector, which plays a crucial role in recycling plastics.
On the other hand, most rural areas lack waste collection systems, leaving people with no choice but to dump and burn their waste. Local communities, despite good intentions, often remain unaware that their evolving practices are exacerbating the waste crisis. For instance, traditional eco-friendly pattals (plates made from leaves) and grandmothers' jhola (cloth bag) have largely been replaced by plastic, leading to devastating consequences on health and the neighboring ecosystem. Without the right awareness and a frontline approach, it will be a challenge for these communities to recognize the mounting crisis right at their doorstep.
Additionally, most of the tourist areas of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, which are located in rural areas, lack the infrastructure and funds required to manage the waste generated by the high footfall during peak seasons, leading to an increased burden on any existing waste management system and widespread pollution of the local environment.
Without scalable systems that enable circularity, supported by real investment and strong enforcement mechanisms, even well-intentioned policies fall short.
Finally, public awareness and behavior change are still underprioritized. For a truly circular model, citizen participation in the segregation and reduction of single-use plastics is vital. But this requires sustained education campaigns—more than just clean-up drives—that are culturally and socially relevant in design.
To move forward, Indian cities need a multistakeholder, ecosystem-based approach—combining data-driven policy, infrastructure investment, extended producer accountability, and long-term behavioral change campaigning. Only then can we shift from crisis management to a regenerative, circular economy for waste.
Waste Warriors has been pioneering inclusive, participatory, and sustainable waste management systems. Its initiatives go beyond managing waste to reducing it at the source. Collaborating with Gram Panchayats, state governments, and local entrepreneurs, these efforts diverted over 1,213 metric tons of waste from harmful disposal in FY 2024-25 alone.
Through partnerships across 12 tourist-heavy towns such as Dharamshala, Dehradun, Corbett, Kasauli, Manali, etc., community-driven waste collection and processing systems are transforming the way waste is being managed at the source. Since 2021, in Corbett Tiger Reserve, our Paryavaran Sakhi model (Friends of the Environment) has operationalized 23 women ecopreneurs from the local community in 8 panchayats of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. From conducting door-to-door waste collection to managing transportation via e-loader, these women play an integral role in the system. They also meticulously segregate dry waste into multiple categories such as glass, aluminum, tin, and various types of plastics, to ensure proper recycling and resource recovery.
Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in Dharamshala and Dehradun, along with over 21 waste banks across Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, now serve as efficient hubs that significantly reduce harmful disposal methods. Long-term success in waste management depends on local governance. Partnerships with 58 Gram Panchayats have been instrumental in building community stewardship. Waste Warriors have helped implement waste management bylaws now adopted by over 23 Gram Panchayats in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
In Dharamshala, Panchayats independently, via a local entrepreneur, manage waste systems, ensuring sustainability beyond external interventions. Meanwhile, in Kasauli, skepticism over waste bank facilities has shifted to acceptance, with local leaders proudly championing the initiatives and the launch of Kasauli’s first-ever waste bank in Garkhal Kasauli, owing to community demand.
The successful establishment and operation of waste processing facilities, particularly for plastic, hinges on a few critical, practical steps:
Invest in decentralised, segregation-based infrastructure: The first step is to move beyond large, centralized dumping grounds and invest in smaller, strategically located Material Recovery Facilities that are designed to handle dry, segregated waste, especially plastics. These facilities must be equipped with proper sorting and storage units and be integrated into the city's overall waste collection system. Importantly, these Material Recovery Facilities should be fed by door-to-door collection systems that enforce source segregation.
Formalise and integrate the informal waste sector: Municipalities must recognise and integrate waste pickers and informal aggregators into the formal system. These workers already form the backbone of plastic recovery and recycling, but often operate without protection, recognition, or access to infrastructure and government schemes. Through registration, training, and partnership models, municipalities can both improve efficiency and create dignified livelihoods.
Establish transparent and accountable operating models: Often, facilities are built but fall into disuse due to poor planning, misaligned incentives, or lack of oversight. Municipalities should ensure clear contracts with private operators or NGOs with performance-based indicators, regular monitoring, and public reporting mechanisms. It is also critical to align these operations with Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks, tapping into producer funding for plastic waste recovery.
When these steps are taken together with political will and consistent community engagement, they lay a strong foundation for a circular waste economy.
Training waste workers is not just essential for cleaner cities; it is a powerful step toward recognizing their indispensable role in building more sustainable, resilient communities. This is especially true in tourist areas where waste is high and varied, and where their efforts directly impact both environmental health and public perception.
To support their work, training must focus on helping workers identify different types of plastic—such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), and multi-layer composites—since early-stage segregation is critical to effective recycling. Emphasizing the separation of wet and dry waste also helps prevent contamination and increases the value of recyclable materials.
In tourist zones, waste often includes food scraps and hazardous items, making it all the more important to equip workers with knowledge of safe handling, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and hygiene practices. Understanding the chemical risks in certain plastics and how to safely dispose of non-recyclables can protect their health and the environment.
Alongside technical knowledge, practical skills such as operating shredders, sorting tables, and basic equipment troubleshooting are equally important. Familiarity with material recovery facility workflows or decentralized collection centers boosts efficiency and confidence on the job.
Because waste workers interact with tourists, residents, and businesses, communication training is also key. Encouraging public cooperation in waste disposal not only improves systems but also builds dignity and respect for their work.
Most importantly, when waste workers see how their efforts contribute to larger goals—like reducing pollution, safeguarding public health, and keeping our cities clean—it fosters pride and purpose. With the right training and recognition, they become frontline champions of sustainable waste management, especially in high-impact tourist destinations.
Many of our cities, especially tourist hubs, are struggling with plastic and disposable waste. Beyond just collection, what innovative or perhaps underutilised strategies can be implemented to rethink plastic waste management, specifically at tourist destinations, encouraging both tourists and local businesses to be part of the solution?
Tourist destinations often experience surges in population that strain local waste management systems, particularly when it comes to plastic and disposable waste. While improving collection is essential, rethinking plastic waste needs a blend of innovation, community engagement, and systemic change.
Creative approaches often inspire lasting behavioral shifts. Public art projects, such as murals made from waste, act as constant reminders of the importance of sustainability.
A remarkable example is a mural crafted from 19,000 discarded bottle caps, created with the help of local communities. These initiatives foster pride and a stronger connection between residents and their environment, showcasing the potential for innovative solutions. While we have been raising awareness among tourists for years, particularly in Upper Dharamshala where Waste Warriors was founded, 2024 marked a transformative shift in our approach. We fully embraced the Ecodaan movement, adopting a more dynamic, technology-driven, and engaging strategy. The core of Ecodaan is not only to maintain a clean environment but also to make awareness and action fun, impactful, and interactive for tourists. With this in mind, we introduced several innovative elements, including our first-ever WhatsApp chatbot. Designed with an intuitive flow, the chatbot guides tourists toward actionable climate steps, such as participating in clean-ups, reducing waste, and making responsible choices. It ensures that engaging with the cause is easy, informative, and accessible to all. To maximize the reach of this tech-based initiative, we strategically placed QR codes linked to the chatbot on creative posters in popular locations like cafes, restaurants, and taxis across Dharamshala. This approach helps us connect with tourists in an organic and engaging way, right where they are.
Youth engagement is at the heart of innovation in today’s young India. Programs like YUWA (Youth for Waste and Climate Action) and Swachhta Ki Pathshala (School of Cleanliness) introduce sustainability through interactive activities such as thoughtful discussions, platforms for youth to discuss climate change and take climate action, upcycling art, film screenings, and quizzes.
To further support sustainable systems, local governments and tourism/forest departments can explore eco-tax models—a small environmental fee collected from tourists at entry points, accommodations, or popular attractions. When transparently reinvested into local waste management, sanitation, or conservation efforts, this not only generates much-needed resources but also encourages visitors to take shared responsibility for the places they enjoy. Such models have seen success in several global destinations and can be tailored for India’s ecologically sensitive hill towns and heritage sites.
Additionally, designating key areas as “plastic-free zones,” much like smoke-free zones, helps set clear expectations for visitor behavior. In collaboration with the Dharamshala Forest Department, we launched the Triund Eco-Trail, where multiple behavior-change nudges—ranging from selfie points and interactive puzzles to thought-provoking messages, milestone markers, and clearly outlined do’s and don’ts—were thoughtfully designed to engage and educate trekkers. Each visual element was crafted to encourage reflection on waste consumption and disposal habits in an interactive and meaningful way.
There are several organizations that are pioneering locally relevant work. Their initiatives go beyond managing waste to reducing it at the source. By collaborating with varied stakeholders such as Gram Panchayats, state governments, and local entrepreneurs, their efforts have seen immense positive results. Community-driven systems are key, and long-term success in waste management depends on proactive local governance. Partnerships with Gram Panchayats, community groups such as Mahila Mandals (women's groups), Self-Help Groups, and Youth Groups have been instrumental in building community stewardship.
Looking ahead, what are a few actionable recommendations you would give to policymakers or urban planners in India to drastically reduce plastic pollution and foster a more sustainable approach to waste in the next five years?
Effective plastic waste management requires a multi-pronged approach that combines policy, infrastructure, community engagement, and education. Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks must be rigorously enforced and expanded to hold producers accountable throughout the entire lifecycle of plastic products.
This includes incentivizing eco-design, supporting take-back schemes, and ensuring financial and operational contributions to collection and recycling systems. Urban planning should prioritize the development of decentralized waste processing infrastructure, such as Material Recovery Facilities, closely integrated with efficient door-to-door collection systems.
Infrastructure investments must emphasize segregation at the source to create clean plastic waste streams that are suitable for recycling or upcycling, reducing dependence on landfills. Sustainable outcomes depend on collaboration across stakeholders. Government agencies, local communities, informal waste workers, entrepreneurs, and NGOs must work together to build inclusive and efficient systems. Crucially, long-term success hinges on behavioral change.
Investing in public education, youth engagement platforms, and creative campaigns such as upcycled art projects or interactive climate discussions can raise awareness and empower individuals to reduce plastic use and improve segregation practices. By aligning policy, infrastructure, and public engagement, cities can create resilient systems that support a circular economy and significantly reduce plastic pollution.
If we are to truly end plastic pollution, the solution cannot lie in cleanup drives alone. It must come from a deeper shift, one that values circularity over convenience, systems over silos, and people over plastics. From local leaders and waste workers to tourists and policymakers, every stakeholder has a role in shaping cleaner, more resilient communities.
At its heart, this is not just about managing waste; it’s about reimagining our relationship with the environment and with each other. And when we act collectively, with care and commitment, even the smallest mountain village can lead the way for sustainable waste management.