Blue Collar, Inc

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Krishna Kumar used to spend his days listlessly gathering scrap in garbage dumps across Motihari in Bihar. On most days, the Class 4 dropout took home Rs. 60, just enough to buy a little dal and rice to feed his six younger siblings and aged parents.

Then, five months ago, he was among 46 ragpickers hired by Waste Ventures, a start-up that offers a professional garbage collection service.

Today, the son of a retired sweeper goes to work in a blue uniform, a pair of gloves tucked into his pocket. He collects garbage in a neat, bicycle-drawn garbage cart, blowing a blue whistle to signal his arrival.

Source: Hindustan Times (link opens in a new window)

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