Regaining a sense of belonging
Reimagining Waste: Inclusive Recycling
Reimagining Waste: Inclusive Recycling for Social and Environmental Impact
REDI Recycling empowers Roma waste collectors by integrating them into the circular economy, transforming informal labor into dignified employment. Through inclusive waste managment we reduce pollution, promote sustainability, and create economic opportunities for marginalized communities. By fostering social and environmental responsibility, we build a greener, fairer future where no one is left behind.
North Macedonia
National
Mainly urban
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Prototype level
No
No
As a representative of an organisation
REDI Recycling transforms waste management into a sustainable and inclusive circular economy model that reduces pollution while creating dignified employment for marginalized Roma waste collectors. By integrating informal waste workers into structured recycling systems, the project addresses urban waste pollution, landfill overuse, and social exclusion, ensuring that sustainability benefits both people and the environment.
The project primarily supports Roma waste collectors, who play a key role in national recycling rates but remain unrecognized, underpaid, and socially excluded. By offering training, employment, and legal protections, REDI Recycling provides them with economic stability and professional dignity. The initiative also engages municipalities, which benefit from improved waste management and cleaner public spaces, and businesses, which integrate circular economy principles into their ESG and CSR strategies. Local communities receive free waste collection services, education on sustainable waste disposal, and improved urban environments, while civil society organizations contribute to policy development, advocacy, and awareness campaigns.
REDI Recycling reduces environmental impact by diverting plastic, e-waste, paper, and textiles from landfills and reintegrating them into the production cycle. It empowers Roma waste collectors by transitioning them into formal employment with fair wages, training, and legal protections. The project introduces sustainable urban waste collection by replacing polluting collection methods with electric tricycles, reducing CO₂ emissions and improving air quality. It promotes public engagement in sustainability, fostering a cultural shift where businesses, schools, and local communities actively participate in responsible waste management.By creating a scalable model, it provides a tested framework that can be replicated in other cities facing similar challenges.
The project primarily supports Roma waste collectors, who play a key role in national recycling rates but remain unrecognized, underpaid, and socially excluded. By offering training, employment, and legal protections, REDI Recycling provides them with economic stability and professional dignity. The initiative also engages municipalities, which benefit from improved waste management and cleaner public spaces, and businesses, which integrate circular economy principles into their ESG and CSR strategies. Local communities receive free waste collection services, education on sustainable waste disposal, and improved urban environments, while civil society organizations contribute to policy development, advocacy, and awareness campaigns.
REDI Recycling reduces environmental impact by diverting plastic, e-waste, paper, and textiles from landfills and reintegrating them into the production cycle. It empowers Roma waste collectors by transitioning them into formal employment with fair wages, training, and legal protections. The project introduces sustainable urban waste collection by replacing polluting collection methods with electric tricycles, reducing CO₂ emissions and improving air quality. It promotes public engagement in sustainability, fostering a cultural shift where businesses, schools, and local communities actively participate in responsible waste management.By creating a scalable model, it provides a tested framework that can be replicated in other cities facing similar challenges.
Social inclusion
Circular economy
Sustainable waste management
Environmental awareness
Community Engagement
REDI Recycling is built on the principle that sustainability must be both environmental and social, ensuring that waste management not only reduces pollution but also fosters economic inclusion and community resilience. The project tackles North Macedonia’s high levels of waste pollution and landfill dependency while addressing the exclusion of Roma waste collectors who contribute significantly to recycling rates but remain in precarious informal labor. By integrating them into structured, fair employment, REDI Recycling creates a sustainable model that benefits both the environment and society.
The project reduces environmental impact by implementing a structured collection system for plastic, e-waste, paper, and textiles, ensuring that these materials are recovered, processed, and reintegrated into the circular economy instead of being dumped in landfills. It introduces sustainable waste collection practices through the use of electric tricycles, which significantly lower CO₂ emissions and reduce noise pollution compared to conventional collection vehicles. These efforts align with the European Green Deal and circular economy strategies by promoting waste prevention, resource efficiency, and low-emission urban mobility.
Sustainability is also achieved through social inclusion by shifting Roma waste collectors from informal, unstable work into dignified employment. The project provides training, protective equipment, and legal protections, ensuring they operate in safe and fair working conditions while contributing to waste management efficiency. Businesses and municipalities are engaged as key partners, incorporating sustainable waste disposal into their ESG and CSR commitments, making responsible waste management a shared effort across public and private sectors.
The project reduces environmental impact by implementing a structured collection system for plastic, e-waste, paper, and textiles, ensuring that these materials are recovered, processed, and reintegrated into the circular economy instead of being dumped in landfills. It introduces sustainable waste collection practices through the use of electric tricycles, which significantly lower CO₂ emissions and reduce noise pollution compared to conventional collection vehicles. These efforts align with the European Green Deal and circular economy strategies by promoting waste prevention, resource efficiency, and low-emission urban mobility.
Sustainability is also achieved through social inclusion by shifting Roma waste collectors from informal, unstable work into dignified employment. The project provides training, protective equipment, and legal protections, ensuring they operate in safe and fair working conditions while contributing to waste management efficiency. Businesses and municipalities are engaged as key partners, incorporating sustainable waste disposal into their ESG and CSR commitments, making responsible waste management a shared effort across public and private sectors.
REDI Recycling transforms waste management into a dignified and visually integrated part of urban life, challenging the perception that waste collection is an unsightly necessity rather than an essential service that contributes to environmental and social well-being.
The use of electric tricycles improves the aesthetics and quality of urban spaces by replacing noisy, polluting vehicles with silent, low-emission alternatives. This not only reduces air and noise pollution but also creates a cleaner and more organized city environment. Unlike traditional waste collection systems that rely on large, intrusive trucks, these tricycles are compact, maneuverable, and visually integrated into the urban landscape, making recycling more approachable and accessible.
The project also elevates the role of Roma waste collectors through branding and professionalization. Workers receive uniforms, protective gear, and formalized roles, shifting the image of waste collection from an informal, stigmatized job to a recognized and respected profession. By creating visible and well-equipped teams, the project fosters social recognition and a sense of belonging for workers who have long been marginalized.
Through upcycling initiatives, REDI Recycling connects sustainability with creativity by transforming waste into new products, showcasing the potential of discarded materials in art, design, and functional urban elements. Community engagement in these activities helps redefine waste as a valuable resource rather than a problem to be hidden or ignored.
The use of electric tricycles improves the aesthetics and quality of urban spaces by replacing noisy, polluting vehicles with silent, low-emission alternatives. This not only reduces air and noise pollution but also creates a cleaner and more organized city environment. Unlike traditional waste collection systems that rely on large, intrusive trucks, these tricycles are compact, maneuverable, and visually integrated into the urban landscape, making recycling more approachable and accessible.
The project also elevates the role of Roma waste collectors through branding and professionalization. Workers receive uniforms, protective gear, and formalized roles, shifting the image of waste collection from an informal, stigmatized job to a recognized and respected profession. By creating visible and well-equipped teams, the project fosters social recognition and a sense of belonging for workers who have long been marginalized.
Through upcycling initiatives, REDI Recycling connects sustainability with creativity by transforming waste into new products, showcasing the potential of discarded materials in art, design, and functional urban elements. Community engagement in these activities helps redefine waste as a valuable resource rather than a problem to be hidden or ignored.
REDI Recycling ensures that sustainability is both environmentally responsible and socially inclusive by making waste management accessible, affordable, and participatory for all. Traditional waste collection systems often exclude vulnerable communities, particularly informal Roma waste collectors, who play a crucial role in national recycling rates but work under unsafe conditions without legal recognition. This project shifts them from informal labor to formal employment, providing fair wages, training, and protective equipment, ensuring economic inclusion and professional dignity.
By offering free waste collection services, the project ensures that sustainability is not a privilege but a shared right. Separation bins are placed inside buildings, companies and households to be accessible to all, including low-income households, elderly citizens, and persons with disabilities, allowing them to participate in responsible waste management without financial or logistical barriers. The project removes the burden on underserved communities while creating a structured, inclusive, and community-driven waste management system.
Public-private partnerships ensure that corporate ESG and CSR commitments go beyond traditional waste management models, incorporating social responsibility and sustainability into business operations. By engaging stakeholders in decision-making, REDI Recycling transforms waste collection into a shared effort where all sectors contribute to environmental and social well-being.
Education and awareness campaigns empower local communities, schools, and institutions to take an active role in sustainable waste disposal, shifting perceptions of waste from a burden to a resource. This approach strengthens social cohesion and fosters a long-term commitment to responsible consumption and circular economy principles.
By offering free waste collection services, the project ensures that sustainability is not a privilege but a shared right. Separation bins are placed inside buildings, companies and households to be accessible to all, including low-income households, elderly citizens, and persons with disabilities, allowing them to participate in responsible waste management without financial or logistical barriers. The project removes the burden on underserved communities while creating a structured, inclusive, and community-driven waste management system.
Public-private partnerships ensure that corporate ESG and CSR commitments go beyond traditional waste management models, incorporating social responsibility and sustainability into business operations. By engaging stakeholders in decision-making, REDI Recycling transforms waste collection into a shared effort where all sectors contribute to environmental and social well-being.
Education and awareness campaigns empower local communities, schools, and institutions to take an active role in sustainable waste disposal, shifting perceptions of waste from a burden to a resource. This approach strengthens social cohesion and fosters a long-term commitment to responsible consumption and circular economy principles.
REDI Recycling is deeply embedded in the communities it serves, ensuring that citizens and civil society are not just beneficiaries but active participants in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive waste management system. The project directly impacts Roma waste collectors, local residents, businesses, and policymakers, fostering a collaborative approach where sustainability and social equity go hand in hand.
Roma waste collectors, traditionally working in informal and often exploitative conditions, have become key stakeholders in the project. They have been actively involved in co-developing the waste collection model, providing insights into the realities of their work and helping design fairer, safer, and more efficient systems. Through structured employment, training, and access to proper equipment, they have transitioned into dignified, recognized roles, improving both their working conditions and their integration into society. Their engagement has led to a shift in public perception, fostering greater recognition of their contribution to the circular economy.
Local residents have also played an important role by adopting and participating in responsible waste disposal practices. Public engagement campaigns have educated households on proper waste sorting and the importance of recycling, leading to increased participation in the system. By providing free and accessible waste collection services, the project ensures that all citizens, including low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, can easily contribute to a cleaner urban environment.
Businesses and institutions have become active partners by aligning their ESG and CSR strategies with REDI Recycling’s sustainability goals. Many have engaged in waste reduction initiatives, supported the collection and processing of recyclable materials, and participated in awareness campaigns.
Roma waste collectors, traditionally working in informal and often exploitative conditions, have become key stakeholders in the project. They have been actively involved in co-developing the waste collection model, providing insights into the realities of their work and helping design fairer, safer, and more efficient systems. Through structured employment, training, and access to proper equipment, they have transitioned into dignified, recognized roles, improving both their working conditions and their integration into society. Their engagement has led to a shift in public perception, fostering greater recognition of their contribution to the circular economy.
Local residents have also played an important role by adopting and participating in responsible waste disposal practices. Public engagement campaigns have educated households on proper waste sorting and the importance of recycling, leading to increased participation in the system. By providing free and accessible waste collection services, the project ensures that all citizens, including low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, can easily contribute to a cleaner urban environment.
Businesses and institutions have become active partners by aligning their ESG and CSR strategies with REDI Recycling’s sustainability goals. Many have engaged in waste reduction initiatives, supported the collection and processing of recyclable materials, and participated in awareness campaigns.
By involving local, regional, national, and European stakeholders, the project has created a coordinated and scalable model that strengthens urban waste management, supports marginalized communities, and advances environmental responsibility.
At the local level, municipalities play a critical role in integrating REDI Recycling into urban waste management systems. They provide logistical support, infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns, ensuring that waste collection is accessible and effective. Their collaboration helps streamline the mapping of collection points, waste sorting facilities, and mobility infrastructure for electric tricycles, creating a more sustainable and inclusive urban landscape.
Local businesses and institutions participate by adopting sustainable waste management practices, schools and community organizations contribute by educating younger generations on responsible waste disposal, ensuring long-term behavioral change.
At the regional level, REDI Recycling works with waste management operators, environmental NGOs, and Roma advocacy groups to improve the efficiency of recycling systems. Partnerships with waste processing facilities and industry stakeholders ensure that collected materials are not only diverted from landfills but also reintegrated into high-value recycling and upcycling chains. Regional NGOs specializing in social inclusion help train and support Roma waste collectors, ensuring they transition into structured employment with legal protections.
At the national level, REDI Recycling collaborates with government agencies responsible for waste management, social inclusion, and economic development to align its efforts with national sustainability policies and circular economy goals. The project provides data-driven insights into the contribution of informal waste collectors to national recycling rates, advocating for their recognition and integration into formal waste management structures.
At the local level, municipalities play a critical role in integrating REDI Recycling into urban waste management systems. They provide logistical support, infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns, ensuring that waste collection is accessible and effective. Their collaboration helps streamline the mapping of collection points, waste sorting facilities, and mobility infrastructure for electric tricycles, creating a more sustainable and inclusive urban landscape.
Local businesses and institutions participate by adopting sustainable waste management practices, schools and community organizations contribute by educating younger generations on responsible waste disposal, ensuring long-term behavioral change.
At the regional level, REDI Recycling works with waste management operators, environmental NGOs, and Roma advocacy groups to improve the efficiency of recycling systems. Partnerships with waste processing facilities and industry stakeholders ensure that collected materials are not only diverted from landfills but also reintegrated into high-value recycling and upcycling chains. Regional NGOs specializing in social inclusion help train and support Roma waste collectors, ensuring they transition into structured employment with legal protections.
At the national level, REDI Recycling collaborates with government agencies responsible for waste management, social inclusion, and economic development to align its efforts with national sustainability policies and circular economy goals. The project provides data-driven insights into the contribution of informal waste collectors to national recycling rates, advocating for their recognition and integration into formal waste management structures.
REDI Recycling is built on an interdisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from multiple fields to create a sustainable, inclusive, and scalable circular economy model. By combining environmental science, social inclusion, circular economy principles, urban planning, sustainable mobility, business development, and policy advocacy, the project effectively addresses both waste management inefficiencies and socio-economic disparities.
Environmental science plays a critical role in shaping waste collection, sorting, and recycling processes. Experts in waste management and materials recovery contribute to improving efficiency, ensuring that plastic, e-waste, paper, and textiles are reintegrated into the production cycle instead of ending up in landfills.
Social inclusion specialists, including Roma rights advocates, sociologists, and labor experts, focus on integrating informal Roma waste collectors into formal employment. Their expertise ensures that the transition from informal to structured labor is fair, providing collectors with training, legal protections, and social security.
Urban planning and sustainable mobility experts optimize waste collection routes and infrastructure for greater accessibility and efficiency. The introduction of electric tricycles replaces polluting waste trucks, reducing CO₂ emissions and improving urban air quality.
Business and economic development specialists play a crucial role in ensuring the project’s financial sustainability, engaging private sector partners in adopting sustainable waste management within their ESG and CSR strategies.
Policy and legal experts ensure that REDI Recycling is aligned with national waste management regulations, labor laws, and EU environmental policies. Their involvement has been key in advocating for the recognition of informal waste collectors and securing policy support for inclusive waste management models.
Environmental science plays a critical role in shaping waste collection, sorting, and recycling processes. Experts in waste management and materials recovery contribute to improving efficiency, ensuring that plastic, e-waste, paper, and textiles are reintegrated into the production cycle instead of ending up in landfills.
Social inclusion specialists, including Roma rights advocates, sociologists, and labor experts, focus on integrating informal Roma waste collectors into formal employment. Their expertise ensures that the transition from informal to structured labor is fair, providing collectors with training, legal protections, and social security.
Urban planning and sustainable mobility experts optimize waste collection routes and infrastructure for greater accessibility and efficiency. The introduction of electric tricycles replaces polluting waste trucks, reducing CO₂ emissions and improving urban air quality.
Business and economic development specialists play a crucial role in ensuring the project’s financial sustainability, engaging private sector partners in adopting sustainable waste management within their ESG and CSR strategies.
Policy and legal experts ensure that REDI Recycling is aligned with national waste management regulations, labor laws, and EU environmental policies. Their involvement has been key in advocating for the recognition of informal waste collectors and securing policy support for inclusive waste management models.
In North Macedonia, traditional waste management predominantly involves the collection of unsorted waste by municipal services, which is then transported to landfills or, in many cases, disposed of through illegal dumping. This approach results in minimal recycling rates, with the country heavily relying on landfilling. Waste collection is largely centralized, inefficient, and environmentally unsustainable, with limited investment in recycling infrastructure or circular economy solutions. At the same time, the informal sector, predominantly composed of Roma waste collectors, plays a crucial but unrecognized role in salvaging recyclable materials. Despite contributing significantly to national recycling rates, these workers operate without legal protections, fair wages, or safe working conditions.
REDI Recycling introduces an innovative, socially inclusive, and economically sustainable approach that transforms waste management into a circular, community-driven model. Unlike mainstream systems that rely on public financing and struggle with inefficiencies, REDI Recycling operates as a social enterprise that reinvests its revenues into job creation, training, and expansion. By integrating Roma waste collectors into formal employment, the project provides structured waste collection services while offering workers fair wages, training, protective equipment, and legal recognition. This shift elevates waste collection from an informal survival strategy to a dignified profession, improving both efficiency and working conditions.
Unlike mainstream waste management, which prioritizes landfill disposal and disregards the role of the informal sector, REDI Recycling creates a replicable, self-sustaining model that bridges environmental responsibility with social impact.
REDI Recycling introduces an innovative, socially inclusive, and economically sustainable approach that transforms waste management into a circular, community-driven model. Unlike mainstream systems that rely on public financing and struggle with inefficiencies, REDI Recycling operates as a social enterprise that reinvests its revenues into job creation, training, and expansion. By integrating Roma waste collectors into formal employment, the project provides structured waste collection services while offering workers fair wages, training, protective equipment, and legal recognition. This shift elevates waste collection from an informal survival strategy to a dignified profession, improving both efficiency and working conditions.
Unlike mainstream waste management, which prioritizes landfill disposal and disregards the role of the informal sector, REDI Recycling creates a replicable, self-sustaining model that bridges environmental responsibility with social impact.
REDI Recycling’s methodology is built on a holistic, community-driven approach that integrates social inclusion, circular economy principles, and sustainable urban waste management. The project transforms traditional waste collection by formalizing the role of informal Roma waste collectors, ensuring environmental sustainability while creating fair economic opportunities.
The approach begins with mapping and needs assessment, where urban areas are analyzed to identify waste collection hotspots, informal waste collection activities, and existing gaps in the recycling system. This data is used to design a localized collection strategy that optimizes waste recovery and reduces landfill dependency. The integration of electric tricycles as an alternative to conventional waste trucks allows low-emission, efficient waste collection in dense urban areas.
A critical part of the methodology is the social inclusion model, where Roma waste collectors are provided with structured employment, training in safe waste handling, recycling practices, and environmental awareness, and are equipped with protective gear and branded uniforms to enhance their visibility and recognition.
The project also focuses on public engagement and behavioral change, implementing awareness campaigns, workshops, and educational programs to encourage households, businesses, and institutions to actively participate in waste sorting and recycling. Partnerships with municipalities and private sector companies create a collaborative governance model.
Waste collected through the project is sorted, processed, and reintegrated into the circular economy, with particular attention to e-waste collection, a growing issue in North Macedonia. The project collaborates with recycling facilities and upcycling initiatives to extend the life cycle of materials and minimize environmental impact.
The approach begins with mapping and needs assessment, where urban areas are analyzed to identify waste collection hotspots, informal waste collection activities, and existing gaps in the recycling system. This data is used to design a localized collection strategy that optimizes waste recovery and reduces landfill dependency. The integration of electric tricycles as an alternative to conventional waste trucks allows low-emission, efficient waste collection in dense urban areas.
A critical part of the methodology is the social inclusion model, where Roma waste collectors are provided with structured employment, training in safe waste handling, recycling practices, and environmental awareness, and are equipped with protective gear and branded uniforms to enhance their visibility and recognition.
The project also focuses on public engagement and behavioral change, implementing awareness campaigns, workshops, and educational programs to encourage households, businesses, and institutions to actively participate in waste sorting and recycling. Partnerships with municipalities and private sector companies create a collaborative governance model.
Waste collected through the project is sorted, processed, and reintegrated into the circular economy, with particular attention to e-waste collection, a growing issue in North Macedonia. The project collaborates with recycling facilities and upcycling initiatives to extend the life cycle of materials and minimize environmental impact.
REDI Recycling’s model is designed to be scalable and adaptable, making it highly replicable across different urban settings, social contexts, and waste management systems. Its key elements—including the integration of informal waste collectors, sustainable waste collection infrastructure, community engagement, and circular economy principles—can be transferred to other municipalities, countries, and groups facing similar challenges.
The social inclusion methodology can be replicated in any region where informal waste collectors play a crucial role but remain unrecognized. By providing structured employment, training, and social protections, this model ensures that waste workers can transition from precarious informal labor to dignified, fair employment.
The use of electric tricycles for waste collection is another replicable feature that significantly reduces carbon emissions, operational costs, and noise pollution. This sustainable mobility solution is ideal for dense urban areas, historical city centers, and municipalities seeking low-emission waste collection alternatives.
REDI Recycling’s community engagement and awareness-raising strategies can also be transferred. Education campaigns, workshops, and public-private collaborations can help cities encourage citizens to actively participate in responsible waste disposal and recycling. The project’s collaborative governance approach, which engages municipalities, private companies, and civil society, can be applied to other sustainability initiatives beyond waste management, fostering stronger multi-stakeholder partnerships.
The focus on e-waste management is another element with high replication potential. As e-waste generation increases worldwide, the need for localized, non-hazardous e-waste collection and recycling solutions is growing.
Finally, the financial sustainability model, which leverages partnerships with businesses through ESG and CSR strategies, can be transferred to other social enterprises.
The social inclusion methodology can be replicated in any region where informal waste collectors play a crucial role but remain unrecognized. By providing structured employment, training, and social protections, this model ensures that waste workers can transition from precarious informal labor to dignified, fair employment.
The use of electric tricycles for waste collection is another replicable feature that significantly reduces carbon emissions, operational costs, and noise pollution. This sustainable mobility solution is ideal for dense urban areas, historical city centers, and municipalities seeking low-emission waste collection alternatives.
REDI Recycling’s community engagement and awareness-raising strategies can also be transferred. Education campaigns, workshops, and public-private collaborations can help cities encourage citizens to actively participate in responsible waste disposal and recycling. The project’s collaborative governance approach, which engages municipalities, private companies, and civil society, can be applied to other sustainability initiatives beyond waste management, fostering stronger multi-stakeholder partnerships.
The focus on e-waste management is another element with high replication potential. As e-waste generation increases worldwide, the need for localized, non-hazardous e-waste collection and recycling solutions is growing.
Finally, the financial sustainability model, which leverages partnerships with businesses through ESG and CSR strategies, can be transferred to other social enterprises.
REDI Recycling tackles global challenges related to waste pollution, climate change, social inequality, and the exclusion of informal waste workers by providing local, scalable solutions that integrate circular economy principles with social inclusion. The project addresses the global waste crisis, where increasing urbanization and consumption have led to unsustainable waste generation, with much of it ending up in landfills or being illegally dumped, particularly in countries with limited waste management infrastructure. By implementing structured waste collection, sorting, and recycling, REDI Recycling reduces landfill dependency, improves waste recovery rates, and minimizes environmental pollution, offering a local model for tackling global sustainability issues.
Traditional waste collection methods rely on diesel-powered trucks, contributing to carbon emissions and urban air pollution. REDI Recycling provides a local climate solution by introducing electric tricycles for waste collection, reducing CO₂ emissions and noise pollution while creating a low-carbon, accessible alternative for urban waste logistics.
On a social level, the project addresses the systemic exclusion of informal waste collectors, who are estimated to collect and process up to 80% of recyclable materials in some regions but remain unrecognized, underpaid, and unprotected. This is a global issue, particularly in developing countries where informal waste economies sustain millions of workers without access to basic labor rights.
E-waste pollution is another growing global crisis, with electronic consumption rising exponentially and disposal methods failing to keep pace. REDI Recycling addresses this locally by expanding non-hazardous e-waste collection and recycling, preventing toxic environmental contamination while recovering valuable materials.
Traditional waste collection methods rely on diesel-powered trucks, contributing to carbon emissions and urban air pollution. REDI Recycling provides a local climate solution by introducing electric tricycles for waste collection, reducing CO₂ emissions and noise pollution while creating a low-carbon, accessible alternative for urban waste logistics.
On a social level, the project addresses the systemic exclusion of informal waste collectors, who are estimated to collect and process up to 80% of recyclable materials in some regions but remain unrecognized, underpaid, and unprotected. This is a global issue, particularly in developing countries where informal waste economies sustain millions of workers without access to basic labor rights.
E-waste pollution is another growing global crisis, with electronic consumption rising exponentially and disposal methods failing to keep pace. REDI Recycling addresses this locally by expanding non-hazardous e-waste collection and recycling, preventing toxic environmental contamination while recovering valuable materials.
REDI Recycling has a clear roadmap for expanding and strengthening its impact in the year following this application. The focus will be on scaling operations, deepening community engagement, strengthening business partnerships, and expanding policy advocacy efforts to create a more sustainable and inclusive waste management model.
In the immediate next steps, the project will expand operations to additional municipalities, replicating its successful model in new urban areas where waste management infrastructure is underdeveloped, and informal waste collectors remain unrecognized.
A key focus will be on enhancing e-waste collection, as electronic waste continues to grow at an alarming rate. REDI Recycling will strengthen collaborations with local businesses, electronic retailers, and recycling facilities to create a more structured and scalable e-waste management system.
EDI Recycling will also intensify public awareness and education campaigns, engaging local communities through workshops, school programs, and social media campaigns to promote responsible waste disposal and recycling habits.
On a policy level, REDI Recycling aims to work with local and national governments to push for better recognition and integration of informal waste collectors into official waste management frameworks, by providing data-driven insights and case studies.
Strategically, the next year will focus on strengthening financial sustainability by expanding partnerships with businesses, donors, and sustainability-focused investment funds to secure long-term funding. The organization will explore new ways to diversify revenue streams, including upcycling initiatives that add value to collected materials while promoting the circular economy.
In the immediate next steps, the project will expand operations to additional municipalities, replicating its successful model in new urban areas where waste management infrastructure is underdeveloped, and informal waste collectors remain unrecognized.
A key focus will be on enhancing e-waste collection, as electronic waste continues to grow at an alarming rate. REDI Recycling will strengthen collaborations with local businesses, electronic retailers, and recycling facilities to create a more structured and scalable e-waste management system.
EDI Recycling will also intensify public awareness and education campaigns, engaging local communities through workshops, school programs, and social media campaigns to promote responsible waste disposal and recycling habits.
On a policy level, REDI Recycling aims to work with local and national governments to push for better recognition and integration of informal waste collectors into official waste management frameworks, by providing data-driven insights and case studies.
Strategically, the next year will focus on strengthening financial sustainability by expanding partnerships with businesses, donors, and sustainability-focused investment funds to secure long-term funding. The organization will explore new ways to diversify revenue streams, including upcycling initiatives that add value to collected materials while promoting the circular economy.
