The nationwide innovation challenge Techtonic – Innovations for Circular Economy is run by Social Alpha and backed by H&M Foundation through our multipartner initiative Saamuhika Shakti.
As new circular value chains emerge in the textile industry and beyond, there is an urgent opportunity to simultaneously support social upliftment. Saamuhika Shakti has brought together eleven local partners who are working closely to support the waste picker community in various aspects – that the waste pickers themselves have identified – such as safe working conditions, access to social services and good quality education, water and sanitation, up-skilling or access to alternative jobs, innovations in waste management streams, shifting the perceptions around waste pickers, as well as increasing economic opportunities, H&M Foundation reported.
The innovation challenge Techtonic – Innovations for Circular Economy aims to find and support innovations that accelerate waste management in India, while increasing and improving the stability of waste picker incomes. The awarded innovations highlight the importance of balancing environmental stewardship with social responsibility in the path towards an inclusive circular economy.