LocationsPlastic Pollution Has a Human Cost—Ahmed’s Story Shows Us Why
June 30, 2025
Ahmed Ali was born in Assam, but he has migrated across the country in search of work. He arrived in Delhi 20 years ago and has called it home ever since. To survive in the city, Ahmed has taken up all sorts of jobs.
"I knew after living in Delhi for a few years that this was where I wanted to raise my family. The city gave me hope, and in return, I wanted to give back—so I began cleaning it by collecting waste,” shares Ahmed.
Today, Ahmed works alongside his wife, Mirriam Nisha, who is also a Safai Mitra. Together, they are employed at a private material recovery facility and often collect waste from nearby construction sites
However, life hasn’t been easy. “Since the pandemic, our financial struggles have only increased. We accept any work that comes our way,” he says. “There was a time when we had no work at all, and I had to take a loan just to survive.”
With support from the Utthaan initiative by UNDP India, backed by Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (HUL), Ahmed got crucial support.
“Utthaan helped us in many ways—rations, medicines, and access to social protection schemes,” says Ahmed. “When we visited a community camp, we just wanted a health card. But the volunteers also informed us about E-Shram and helped us update our Aadhaar and PAN details.”
The couple used the financial aid to pay off their debts. Today, Ahmed proudly calls himself a debt-free man and has even developed a habit of saving. “It feels like a huge burden has been lifted,” he smiles.
Ahmed is deeply aware of the environmental importance of his work. “Plastic waste is everywhere—on the streets, in drains, in rivers. Most people don’t realize that what they throw away comes back to harm all of us,” he says. “By collecting and segregating plastic and other recyclables, we’re not just cleaning the city, we’re protecting the planet.”
For Ahmed, his job is not just about livelihood—it’s a mission. “Delhi has been very kind to me,” he says. “I hope I can repay the city in some small way—by keeping it clean, by fighting plastic pollution, and by making it a better place for my children.”
His quiet heroism is a powerful call to action for all of us: to reduce plastic use, to recycle more, and to respect those who work every day to make our planet greener.
Urban India is the world’s third-largest garbage generator, and by 2050, this waste is expected to rise by 436 million tons. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India generates 62 million tons of solid waste annually, yet only 20% is treated. The rest pollutes our land, rivers, lakes, and wetlands—threatening both public health and biodiversity. And Ahmed has seen this crisis up close.
“Plastic waste is everywhere. People don’t realize that what they throw away ends up hurting all of us. But segregation makes our work safer and more efficient,” says Ahmed. “When people separate their waste properly, it reduces what ends up in landfills or rivers. And it helps us recycle more plastic, which protects the planet.”
Through the tireless efforts of Safai Mitras, plastic waste is kept out of landfills, drains, and natural ecosystems—and instead given a second life through recycling and reuse in the circular economy.
Let’s honour their contribution by doing our part. Because ending global plastic pollution starts with small, daily actions.
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