New Delhi, August 30, 2025: Gramin Vikas Trust (GVT), in collaboration with SMBC, distributed safety kits to 25 waste workers trained in e-waste management under its ongoing initiative in Delhi-NCR. The event, held at Katwaria Sarai, was attended by MCD Lado Sarai Councillor Shri Rajeev Chaudhary, who handed over the kits to the workers.
The initiative aims to safeguard the health, dignity, and livelihoods of informal waste workers while encouraging safe recycling practices. India is the world’s third-largest generator of e-waste, producing more than 3.2 million metric tonnes annually, much of which is handled by informal workers without protective equipment. To address these risks, GVT and SMBC have launched a program to train workers, provide safety gear, and integrate them into safer recycling systems.
The safety kits included gloves, masks, jackets, goggles, and safety shoes to help reduce occupational hazards. Praising the initiative, Councillor Chaudhary said, “Our waste workers are the backbone of our cleanliness system and yet their own safety often remains neglected. Providing them with training, recognition, and protective equipment is a moral responsibility as well as a practical step towards a healthier Delhi. I deeply appreciate the commitment of Gramin Vikas Trust and SMBC in taking this important initiative forward.”
The initiative also focuses on training workers in safe dismantling, segregation, and handling of e-waste, while introducing digital platforms to link communities with authorized collection services. Future plans include providing life and accidental insurance coverage and organizing exposure visits to advanced recycling facilities to enhance workers’ skills and knowledge.
A representative from Gramin Vikas Trust said, “This initiative reflects our vision of creating an inclusive model of development where every worker has dignity, safety, and opportunities for growth. Waste workers play a critical role in maintaining urban hygiene and managing waste streams. By equipping them with knowledge, safety kits, insurance, and opportunities for exposure to better practices, we are building both human capacity and environmental sustainability.”
In the coming months, additional training, safety kit distributions, and awareness campaigns will be conducted across Delhi-NCR. The program aims not only to benefit individual workers but also to encourage safer recycling practices across their communities.
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