Bellandur’s Indumati highlights importance of plastic waste management in Uruguay

Indumati, a local waste picker from Bengaluru becomes first Asian at UN conference on plastic waste management

Huda Khan | NT

Indumati (43), a waste picker from Bellandur represented Asia at the International Negotiating Committee (INC) organized by the United Nations Environmental Assembly, at Uruguay. She was the only Asian representative at the committee, attended by more than 2000 delegates from about 160 countries.

Her main concerns that were highlighted at this conference included the importance of landfill management, misconceptions about waste pickers and how 60 percent of their job is to manage plastic waste and lastly the fact that rag/waste pickers do not have the privilege to travel and educate people about the need for waste management.

“I requested the committee to aid transport for at least 6 people so that they can travel and create awareness about these major concerns and finally I also request the government to evaluate these situations appropriately before taking action .So far, they have accepted all my requests and have made an effort to work towards them,” said Indumati.

She realized the harmful effects of plastic once she started working as a waste picker at the Bellandur Dry Waste Collection Center(DWCC) and quickly learned that she wasn't the only one who was facing an issue with the large amounts of toxic chemicals that were released once plastic was disposed. “I request people to stop consuming single-use plastic since only 35 percent of this plastic is actually recyclable.” she explained.

Indumati is a member of a Bengaluru based non-profit organization (NGO) called Hasirudala, which works very closely with the waste pickers and advocates proper waste management by providing employment for several women in the field of waste picking.

When asked about the involvement of the government in aiding the problems in Bangalore with regards to the management of waste she said “I'd like to request the government to provide employment to these rag/waste pickers, since most of them come from underprivileged backgrounds and one of the major problems that our community is still facing is the lack of education facilities.”

“They cannot read and write properly so they often remain unemployed and jobs like door-todoor collection of waste or employment at local stores can really help them in terms of survival” she added. Indumati became a voice for countless waste pickers around the world and is a living example of what real activism is.