Redefining Waste in the Margins of the City
Across the sprawling landscapes of rapidly urbanizing cities, informal settlements and urban villages represent a paradox of modern development. While they house a significant portion of urban populations, they remain on the fringes of infrastructure planning—particularly when it comes to waste management.
With narrow alleyways, high population density, and irregular service access, these settlements generate substantial waste, yet lack the systems to manage it sustainably. According to a 2021 report by UN-Habitat, over 60% of waste in informal settlements across developing countries remains uncollected, eventually ending up in open drains, vacant plots, or water bodies, contributing to a range of environmental and health hazards.
This waste crisis is largely the consequence of a linear economy model—a “take, make, dispose” approach where resources are extracted, used, and discarded. While convenient, this system is ecologically unsustainable. It depletes natural resources at alarming rates and leaves behind mountains of unmanaged waste, particularly in communities that lack formal waste infrastructure. In contrast, the circular economy offers a new lens to tackle this crisis.
A Circular Shift for Urban Informal Settlements
The urgency of this shift is especially critical in the context of urban planning. Cities are expanding, and with them, the invisible geographies of informal communities. If these spaces are to be truly integrated into the urban future, sustainable waste management must be at the core of policy and practice. However, traditional top-down solutions often fail in such contexts due to mistrust, lack of access, and cultural disconnect.
Enter Earth5R, a Mumbai-based environmental organization that is rewriting the script on waste management in India’s informal settlements. Founded with a mission to build resilient and self-sufficient communities through environmental education and grassroots action, Earth5R has pioneered a Circular Waste Economy (CWE) model tailored specifically for underserved urban areas.
Understanding Informal Settlements and Urban Villages
Tucked away behind skyscrapers, flyovers, and shopping complexes lie the vibrant but often overlooked worlds of informal settlements and urban villages—communities that urban India frequently forgets, yet cannot function without. These are not merely clusters of poverty, but complex ecosystems that support city life in multiple ways, from providing labor to housing the invisible workforce that keeps cities running.
In urban studies literature, informal settlements are defined as residential areas where housing has been constructed without formal approval or adherence to planning and building regulations. Similarly, urban villages are originally rural settlements that have been engulfed by the expanding city but retain their pre-urban layouts, land ownership patterns, and governance structures.
The challenges in these communities are multidimensional. Socially, they face stigma and exclusion from the mainstream urban narrative. Economically, they function in informality—with many residents engaged in daily-wage jobs or micro-entrepreneurship that offer little security. Environmentally, they are at the frontline of urban degradation. Open dumping, burning of waste, and clogged drainage systems are everyday realities, not exceptions.
The Circular Waste Economy Model
In a world grappling with overflowing landfills and dwindling natural resources, the concept of a circular economy offers a radical reimagination of how we produce, consume, and dispose of materials. Unlike the dominant linear economy, which follows a straight path of extraction, production, consumption, and disposal, the circular economy operates on a regenerative loop—designing waste out of the system, keeping materials in use for as long as possible, and restoring natural ecosystems.
At the forefront of this global movement is the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, whose seminal work defines the circular economy as “an industrial system that is restorative and regenerative by design.” It challenges the notion of waste altogether, proposing that waste is merely a resource in the wrong place. UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) reinforces this perspective, highlighting that transitioning to a circular model can reduce global material use by 28% and greenhouse gas emissions by 39% by 2050.
When applied to waste management, the circular economy transforms rubbish from a problem into a potential resource stream. Rather than viewing plastic wrappers, vegetable peels, glass bottles, or textiles as landfill-bound junk, a circular system seeks to recover, reuse, recycle, or upcycle them into valuable inputs. Organic waste can become compost; plastic waste can be processed into recycled pellets for new packaging; old textiles can be remade into accessories.
But the impact of a circular waste economy extends far beyond ecological benefits. It is a powerful engine of inclusive economic growth. In places where formal employment is scarce—such as informal settlements—a decentralized circular waste model can create livelihoods in waste segregation, recycling, composting, and upcycling. According to a study by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the circular economy has the potential to generate over 6 million net jobs globally by 2030, particularly in the waste and recycling sectors.
Earth5R’s Model and Implementation Strategy
In a city as layered and complex as Mumbai, where gleaming skyscrapers cast shadows over sprawling informal settlements, the question of sustainable urban inclusion has never been more urgent. Earth5R, an environmental social enterprise founded in India, has stepped into this space with a circular waste economy model that not only addresses urban waste but also reimagines it as an opportunity for community empowerment and environmental resilience.
The foundation of Earth5R’s strategy lies in its ability to embed circular economy principles directly into the fabric of informal settlements and urban villages. These communities, often overlooked by municipal systems, face disproportionate exposure to the hazards of uncollected waste, air pollution, and water contamination.
In Dharavi, for instance, Earth5R’s interventions have brought significant transformation. One of the world’s largest informal settlements, Dharavi has become a living lab for circular economy solutions. Earth5R’s teams conducted hands-on training with thousands of families, demonstrating practical segregation methods and promoting the reuse of plastic, textiles, and organic matter.
In one notable initiative in the Mithi River catchment area, Earth5R trained over 10,000 families in sustainable practices, with many women going on to manage compost units, recycling kiosks, and even conduct door-to-door campaigns. These women—often primary caregivers in their households—became powerful changemakers, redefining their roles within both their homes and communities.
The image from SunChemical illustrates the 5 R’s of sustainable packaging—Redesign, Reuse, Reduce, Renew, and Recycle—highlighting practical steps for eco-conscious packaging solutions.
The measurable impact of Earth5R’s initiatives is both compelling and scalable. In its Powai pilot project, the organization was able to divert over 12,000 kilograms of waste from landfills within six months. In similar projects across India, including in Delhi and Indore, their interventions have led to 50–60% reductions in landfill-bound waste, improved local air and soil quality, and significant increases in recycling and composting. These results are not anecdotal—they are backed by ongoing monitoring, community feedback loops, and third-party evaluations.
Case studies from Earth5R – Real life impact
In the heart of Mumbai’s sprawling slums, a transformative movement is underway, spearheaded by the environmental organization Earth5R. Recognizing the pressing need for sustainable waste management in these densely populated areas, Earth5R has initiated comprehensive community training programs that not only address waste disposal but also foster economic empowerment among residents.
A Grassroots Solution in the Heart of Mumbai’s Slums
Mumbai, India’s bustling financial capital, generates approximately 9,400 metric tonnes of waste daily, with only about 30% being treated properly. The remainder often finds its way into overflowing landfills or is discarded on the streets, exacerbating environmental degradation and posing significant health risks, especially in the city’s numerous slum settlements.
Circular Economy Training in Action
In response to this escalating crisis, Earth5R launched the Circular Economy Focused Livelihood Program in areas like Ghatkopar, Mumbai. Through interactive sessions enriched with visual aids and hands-on activities, residents are educated on the importance of segregating wet, dry, and hazardous waste. The program emphasizes the principles of a circular economy, aiming to reduce waste production by reintroducing materials back into the system through sustainable solutions. This approach not only mitigates environmental harm but also unveils economic opportunities within waste management.
Upcycling as a Pathway to Empowerment
A standout feature of Earth5R’s initiative is its focus on upcycling. Residents, particularly women, are trained to transform discarded materials such as clothes, paper, and plastics into marketable products. This endeavor not only curtails waste but also provides a source of income, fostering financial independence within the community. For instance, in the Kurla neighborhood, Earth5R’s livelihood programs have empowered women to create and sell upcycled goods, thereby promoting entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
Economic Impact and Environmental Gains
The impact of these programs is tangible. Annually, an estimated ₹22,99,500 in community income is generated from livelihood activities under Earth5R’s Circular Economy Focused Livelihood Program. Beyond financial gains, the initiative has led to significant environmental benefits, including the diversion of substantial waste from landfills and the promotion of sustainable practices within the community.
The image showcases the circular and green economy’s role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by linking environmental impact, economic growth, and social benefits through green practices.
Earth5R’s efforts underscore the profound potential of integrating circular economy principles into waste management strategies, especially in informal settlements. By intertwining environmental education with economic empowerment, these programs not only address the immediate challenges of waste disposal but also pave the way for sustainable community development.
Challenges and Critiques
Even the most visionary models encounter their share of hurdles, and Earth5R’s circular waste economy strategy is no exception. While the initiative has won praise for its grassroots-led innovation and sustainable ethos, the path to transforming informal settlements into hubs of circular economy is layered with deep-rooted systemic and social challenges.
One of the most persistent obstacles has been resistance to behavioural change. In urban villages and informal settlements where daily survival often takes precedence, altering waste disposal habits requires more than just information—it demands persistent community engagement and socio-cultural adaptation. According to Earth5R’s field reports, early sessions in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar and Kurla areas were often met with skepticism.
Residents, used to decades of unstructured waste disposal and unreliable municipal services, initially viewed waste segregation as an added burden. Convincing households to change not just habits but mindsets requires long-term immersion, trust-building, and tangible economic incentives.
Funding and scalability remain constant challenges. Earth5R’s model is highly people-intensive, relying on localized training, door-to-door mobilization, and real-time engagement—elements that require continuous funding. While partnerships with CSR arms of corporates and international organizations have provided short-term support, questions remain about how scalable and replicable this model is across thousands of India’s slums without institutional backing.
Policy Implications and Future Directions
At a time when the country is championing initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission and committing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Earth5R’s model offers a replicable blueprint that aligns seamlessly with Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
At the national level, Earth5R’s focus on waste segregation, community mobilization, and livelihood creation strongly complements the objectives of Swachh Bharat 2.0, which now emphasizes decentralized waste processing and citizen engagement. The organization’s ability to convert environmental education into actionable behavior change—particularly among marginalized communities—should be viewed as a critical policy ally rather than a peripheral NGO effort.
Policymakers can play a transformative role by creating enabling environments for such models to thrive and scale. This means formal recognition of informal settlements in waste management planning, allocating dedicated funds for community-based circular economy projects, and integrating waste worker cooperatives into official municipal systems. Earth5R’s impact could be further amplified through urban policy frameworks that offer tax breaks or incentives to local green entrepreneurs, especially those working with recycled materials or upcycling innovations.
Moreover, Earth5R’s model holds significant promise beyond India. Cities across the Global South—from Nairobi’s Kibera to Rio de Janeiro’s favelas—face eerily similar waste crises and governance vacuums. What makes Earth5R’s approach uniquely exportable is its adaptability: it hinges on local knowledge, low-cost technology, and human-centered design, making it ideal for replication in diverse geographies.
Earth5R’s Circular Economy: A Grassroots Path to Sustainable Cities
In the face of rising urbanization, swelling waste volumes, and growing climate urgency, Earth5R’s circular waste economy model emerges not just as an environmental intervention—but as a social and economic lifeline for informal settlements. Over the course of its implementation, the initiative has shown that the key to resilient cities lies in inclusive, bottom-up frameworks that prioritize the people and places too often ignored by mainstream policy.
What makes the Earth5R approach so compelling is its ability to tackle multiple crises simultaneously. It reduces landfill pressure, mitigates greenhouse gas emissions, and creates livelihood opportunities—all while empowering communities to become agents of change. In urban villages and slums, where waste is typically seen as a problem, Earth5R reframes it as a resource with value, and people as custodians of that value, not just beneficiaries of aid.
The broader implications are clear. As cities across the Global South expand, their informal pockets will only grow. Relying on linear, extractive systems of waste management is no longer viable. Instead, models like Earth5R’s offer a scalable, adaptive, and human-centered solution that governments, NGOs, and international agencies can replicate and embed into future urban planning.
Above all, Earth5R proves that the transition to a circular economy is not a luxury—it is a necessity. And when that transition is built on the backs of local innovation and community engagement, it becomes not just sustainable, but unstoppable. The challenge now lies in scaling the vision, deepening institutional support, and ensuring that every urban citizen, regardless of their address, lives in a cleaner, greener, and more dignified environment.
FAQs on Earth5R’s Circular Waste Economy for Informal Settlements and Urban Villages
What is Earth5R’s Circular Waste Economy model?
Earth5R’s Circular Waste Economy model is a community-driven approach to waste management that emphasizes reuse, recycling, and upcycling over disposal. It transforms waste into a resource and aims to create economic opportunities through sustainable practices.
How does the model differ from traditional waste management systems?
Traditional systems often follow a linear path: produce, use, and dispose. Earth5R’s model follows circular principles—waste is segregated, recovered, and reintroduced into the economy through recycling, composting, or upcycling.
Why focus on informal settlements and urban villages?
Informal settlements are often left out of formal waste collection and infrastructure planning. These areas face serious health and environmental risks due to unmanaged waste. Earth5R addresses this gap by directly engaging these communities in waste management.
How does Earth5R engage local residents in its programs?
Earth5R mobilizes residents through workshops, awareness campaigns, and skill training. Women and youth are particularly involved, often becoming local waste managers, trainers, or entrepreneurs.
What types of waste does Earth5R primarily handle?
Earth5R deals with household waste, including organic, plastic, paper, metal, and electronic waste. Special focus is given to segregation at source to ensure maximum resource recovery.
Does Earth5R provide any technological support for waste management?
Yes, Earth5R uses mobile apps, digital surveys, and GIS-based community mapping tools to identify waste hotspots, monitor impact, and track community participation.
How does the model contribute to job creation?
By turning waste into a resource, Earth5R helps create green jobs such as compost producers, recyclers, upcyclers, and community educators. These jobs offer income and dignity, especially for underserved populations.
Is the model environmentally sustainable?
Yes. The model reduces waste going to landfills, lowers carbon emissions, and promotes circular resource use, contributing to climate mitigation and environmental protection.
What kind of partnerships does Earth5R form to implement its model?
Earth5R collaborates with local municipalities, NGOs, corporates under CSR, educational institutions, and community-based organizations to scale and implement its programs effectively.
How are women empowered through Earth5R’s initiatives?
Women are trained in sustainable practices and offered opportunities to lead local waste management projects, craft upcycled products, and educate others. This enhances both their income and social standing.
What measurable impact has Earth5R achieved so far?
Earth5R has diverted significant amounts of waste from landfills, increased recycling rates, and trained thousands of residents. In some areas, waste segregation levels improved by over 60% within a year.
Can the model be replicated in other cities or countries?
Yes, the model’s decentralized, community-driven design makes it adaptable across urban informal settlements globally, especially in other parts of the Global South.
How does Earth5R support education around environmental issues?
The organization conducts workshops in schools, colleges, and communities to teach sustainability, circular economy principles, and climate action. They also distribute toolkits and run campaigns.
What role do digital innovations play in Earth5R’s model?
Digital tools help in planning, monitoring, and community engagement. They enhance efficiency in tracking waste flows, managing volunteers, and documenting field impact.
How does Earth5R fund its activities?
Funding comes from CSR contributions, international grants, and partnerships with development agencies. Some revenue is also generated through upcycled product sales and training programs.
What are the biggest challenges faced during implementation?
Challenges include resistance to change, lack of municipal integration, limited funding, and infrastructural constraints in informal settlements.
How does Earth5R align with global sustainability goals?
Earth5R supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through its waste management and community development work.
What kind of training do community members receive?
Training includes waste segregation techniques, composting, recycling, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy. These skills help individuals generate income and manage waste sustainably.
How is Earth5R’s work different from government-led programs?
While government programs often focus on infrastructure, Earth5R emphasizes behavior change, grassroots mobilization, and community ownership—making the efforts more sustainable in the long run.
How can someone get involved with Earth5R?
Volunteers, interns, and organizations can partner with Earth5R through their website. There are opportunities for collaboration in education, research, sustainability initiatives, and field projects.
Join the Movement for a Circular Tomorrow
Earth5R’s Circular Waste Economy for informal settlements and urban villages is more than a model—it’s a growing movement that puts people and the planet at the heart of progress. If we are to build sustainable cities and resilient communities, the time to act is now. Whether you’re a policymaker, student, entrepreneur, or concerned citizen, you have a role to play. Support circular initiatives, spread awareness, and collaborate with organizations like Earth5R that are redefining waste as a resource. Together, we can turn neglected neighborhoods into thriving, self-sufficient hubs of green innovation—and leave behind a cleaner, fairer world for future generations.
