CLOCC in India: Creating a waste masterplan plan for 2.8 million inhabitants

In December 2022, CLOCC partnered with Hand-in-Hand India to launch a transformative waste management program in Tamil Nadu’s Chengalpattu District, home to 2.8 million residents. This initiative is bringing together stakeholders from across the community to collaboratively develop a comprehensive waste masterplan tailored to the region's unique challenges.

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The programme has been conducting extensive stakeholder workshops to gather local input and ensure the masterplan reflects community needs. This includes waste management professionals, academicians and researchers, community leaders, students, NGOs, urban planners and city officials, environmentalists and sustainability advocates, entrepreneurs and innovators in the recycling industry as well as key stakeholders and project representatives.

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A detailed study completed in 2023/24 by the CLOCC team revealed that Chengalpattu generates approximately 1,694 tonnes of waste daily, with only 60% collected by municipal services and a recovery rate of just 22%. Most waste ends up in uncontrolled disposal sites, such as the overburdened Aapur site, highlighting the urgent need for local and affordable waste management solutions.

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To address these critical issues, CLOCC prepared a waste master plan, which was officially presented on November 25, 2024. The masterplan outlines a number of strategic interventions:

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• Establishing infrastructure for waste separation and processing at the source.

• Launching public awareness campaigns to reduce overall waste generation.

• Introducing composting programs to sustainably manage organic waste.

• Developing solutions for residual waste, including energy recovery initiatives.​

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By implementing this plan, the communities of Chengalpattu will gain greater ownership of their waste, fostering a cleaner environment, a healthier economy, and more engaged citizens.