Management of Plastics Waste and Circular Interventions on Plastics in South, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific

Partners: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), FICCI-RECEIC (Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy), CSOs working with waste workers

Focus Area: Circular Economy, Solid Waste Management, Empowering Waste Pickers, Livelihood Diversification, Inter-local government unit collaboration

Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 1, SDG 5, SDG 8, SDG 10, SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 3, SDG 6, SDG 13, SDG 14, SDG 15, SDG 17

Geographical coverage: The initiative will be implemented across selected locations in Noida and Greater Noida within the National Capital Region (NCR), and in Pune District, Maharashtra.

About the Project

The TCCF India project is part of a regional initiative across South, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific to tackle plastic waste through inclusive and circular solutions. With a focus on empowering informal waste workers and driving systemic change, the project integrates social protection, responsible sourcing, and national capacity building to advance India’s circular economy transition.

PROJECT Objective

Social Protection for Waste Workers
Plastic Waste Management
Policy and Capacity Building
Awareness and Knowledge Sharing

Output 1: Ensured the successful enrolment of 10,000 waste workers in government social protection programmes by addressing access barriers and strengthening service linkages.

Output 2: Enhanced awareness about rights and entitlements for 50,000 waste workers through outreach and support via Helpline.

Output 3: Channelized 8,000 MTs of responsibly sourced plastic waste through value chain partners.

Output 4: Strengthened national capacities and developed comprehensive guidelines for effective plastic waste management.

Targeted Impact (till June 2026)

Indicator 1: Successful enrolment of waste workers in government social protection programmes - Scheme Linkages

Total enrolled: 4,250
Male: 1,768, Female: 2,482

Indicator 2: Enhanced awareness about rights and entitlements for waste workers through outreach and Helpline support

Helpline Registrations:

Total enrolled: 25,254

Male: 13,392, Female: 11,855, and 7 individuals who did not disclose their gender

Achievements so far (till June 2026)

4,250 waste workers (1,768 men and 2,482 women) have been linked to two or more government social protection schemes, strengthening access to welfare entitlements and social protection benefits.
The NAMASTE Helpline (14473) has reached 25,254 waste workers (13,392 men, 11,855 women and 7 individuals who did not disclose their gender), providing information on government social protection schemes, rights, entitlements, occupational safety and available support services.
Two electric vehicles have been deployed to strengthen last mile service delivery, beneficiary outreach and community engagement, improving access to services for waste workers.
Two pilot value chains, Dalmia Polypro and Ganesha Ecosphere, have been assessed to strengthen responsible sourcing practices. Baseline assessments have been completed, validation workshops conducted and remediation measures initiated.
The Responsible Sourcing Network India (RSNI) Governance Concept Note has been developed and shared with key stakeholders for consultation. The governance model is currently being refined and is progressing towards finalisation.
The India adapted Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework has been developed and submitted for stakeholder consultation. The framework is currently under review and progressing towards finalisation.
Two Project Advisory Committees have been established to provide oversight, validate findings and guide implementation of responsible sourcing interventions across the pilot value chains.
209 stakeholders have been engaged through three stakeholder workshops and two national webinars on responsible sourcing, traceability and value chain accountability.
Communication and outreach efforts have resulted in the development and dissemination of 41 communication, outreach and IEC materials, alongside 8 social media posts published through UNDP India platforms and 32 partner led social media posts that have amplified project visibility and stakeholder engagement.