This special edition of our newsletter would be incomplete without acknowledging the invaluable contributions of our incredible team members across the country—individuals who not only helped FINISH Society move closer to its mission but also designed and implemented practical, community-led solutions that tackled some of the toughest solid waste challenges.

Across urban and rural landscapes—from Kapurthala in Punjab to Chirala in Andhra Pradesh, and from the heart of Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, to the vibrant wards of Udaipur, Rajasthan—our field teams, community mobilizers, and waste workers have played a central role in turning waste management challenges into stories of community pride and resilience.

Udaipur, Rajasthan – Turning a Dumping Ground into a Community Space In Ward 59 of Udaipur, just 2 kilometers from the municipal office, a plot of land had become a chronic illegal dumping spot. Despite regular cleaning by the municipal team, garbage reappeared within hours. Led by Community Mobilizer Neha Yadav, FINISH Society launched a localized intervention rooted in awareness and empowerment.

Neha conducted meetings with residents and green workers, led door-to-door awareness campaigns, and encouraged women in the locality to beautify the space with rangoli art, making cleanliness a matter of pride. When the community raised concerns about the waste collection vehicle’s timing, Neha coordinated a schedule change and introduced musical alerts for better participation. The intervention’s most inspiring outcome was the emergence of Shoaib Ali Khan, a local youth who started a food stall on the cleaned site, blending environmental sustainability with entrepreneurship.

Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh – From Criticism to Community Champions In the city of Hardoi, Vivek Singh and his team redefined public perception around decentralized solid waste management (DSWM). Their work at the DSWM unit not only improved waste collection systems but also added dignity and visibility to the roles of waste workers.

Another standout transformation was led by Shivendra Singh, who took a bold approach by engaging directly with vocal critics of the system. Through patient dialogue, transparency, and community involvement, he converted skeptics into ambassadors of cleanliness. One such individual, previously known for opposing local waste interventions, is now a mohalla samiti leader actively promoting waste segregation and home composting.

Young volunteers like Sonali, Shruti, and Stuti have become champions of solid waste awareness. Working alongside municipal staff and ward members, they conduct nukkad nataks, awareness drives, and promote home composting and kitchen gardening as sustainable urban practices.

Karauli, Rajasthan – Quiet Leadership, Loud Impact In Karauli district, the combined efforts of Balbir Singh and Braj Mohan Choudhary stand out. Through sustained door-to-door mobilization and school-based campaigns, they brought behavioral change to villages once plagued by open dumping and low awareness. Their approach focused on local leadership, using the power of relationships and respect to implement segregation-at-source practices and composting demonstrations.

Their work not only improved cleanliness but inspired panchayat leaders to allocate land for community composting units—laying the foundation for long-term waste solutions rooted in the community.

Guntur & Chirala, Andhra Pradesh – Powering Waste Solutions In Guntur & Chirala, With ITC Mission Sunehara Kal, FINISH Society’s field team helped form and strengthen mohalla committees that now take active responsibility for segregation, timely waste collection, and grievance redressal—creating a sense of ownership that was missing earlier.

Ranjangaon, Maharashtra – Teams Winning Public Trust In Ranjangaon, the team under the ITC Mission Sunehra Kal project has won accolades for their outstanding work in solid waste infrastructure. Their close coordination with the Gram Panchayat and continuous engagement with local schools has transformed not just waste systems, but mindsets. Their efforts recently earned them a trophy on Independence Day, recognizing the impact made in ZP School Malthan and surrounding communities.

Kapurthala, Punjab – Building Resilience Through Behavior Change In northern India, the teams in Kapurthala have been focusing on behavior change communication. By working closely with religious institutions, local influencers, and self-help groups, they’ve addressed the social and cultural barriers around waste handling. Their campaigns have led to improved waste segregation, composting at religious sites, and active participation by women in planning and monitoring local sanitation efforts.

Sowing Seeds of Change: A Soil Revolution in Hardoi and Lakhimpur In the face of declining soil health and rising pollution from stubble burning, the DCM Shriram Foundation launched the Sustainable Soil Project in Hardoi and Lakhimpur Kheri, implemented by FINISH Society. Progressive farmer Shivsaran Pal admits he once relied on burning residues and chemical fertilizers. But today, inspired by the project, he and fellow farmers are shifting to organic alternatives. This Diwali, instead of fire, they chose fertility. With sustainable practices taking root, these farmers are no longer just cultivators—they are champions of a greener, cleaner, and more resilient future for Indian agriculture.

UTTHAAN: Uplifting Lives on the Frontlines We had the opportunity to collaborate with UNDP’s UTTHAAN initiative, reaffirming our commitment to the dignity, recognition, and safety of sanitation workers. Through this partnership, we successfully linked thousands of Safai Sathis across cities like Amritsar, Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Hardoi to various social protection schemes.

When we spoke to some of the beneficiaries, we truly understood what this seemingly small initiative meant for those working tirelessly at the ground level.

Take the case of Ramesh ji from Lucknow, a sanitation worker for many years, who now has access to medical treatment through the Ayushman Bharat health card. Or consider the women sanitation workers in Amritsar, who, after being linked to the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, have finally found a way to secure a better future for their daughters.

These stories remind us that true impact lies not just in numbers, but in the real, positive change brought into the lives of individuals. Each connection made is a step towards respect, resilience, and long-term security for our frontline heroes.

A Collective Vision for Cleaner Communities

No conversation around Solid Waste Management is complete without acknowledging the backbone of these successes—our field staff, waste workers, mobilization teams, and partner institutions. Their collective experience, cultural sensitivity, and on-ground problem-solving continue to drive us forward.

Today, from source segregation to home composting, from mohalla samitis to school WASH campaigns, we’re seeing a shift—from compliance to community ownership, from managing waste to valuing it.

Together, we are not just solving problems—we are building sustainable models that can be replicated and scaled across India.

Read more such stories of impact: www.finishsociety.org/resources/#stories