Empowering the Backbone of Clean Pune: “SAFAL” Workshop Equips Over 100 Kachra Vechaks and Safai Sevaks with Plastic Waste Management Training
Pune, 5th June 2025: A transformative Refresher Training Workshop under the SAFAL initiative was recently conducted in Pune, aiming to empower the city’s Kachra Vechaks and Safai Sevaks with advanced skills in plastic waste management. Organized by Pune Knowledge Cluster Foundation (PKCF) in collaboration with Social Lab and supported by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the event saw active participation from over 100 sanitation workers.
The workshop was graced by esteemed dignitaries including I.S. Inamdar, Chief Health Inspector, PMC; Kakde, Health Inspector, PMC; Prajakta Joshi, E&Y Consultant, PMC; Shreyas Dilip Khade & Dr. Chaitra Narayan, Project Cordinators, PKCF and Prakash Pathade and Kiran Londhe from Social Lab, who emphasized the crucial role of frontline workers in maintaining urban hygiene and sustainability.
PKCF, established by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, was introduced as a key institution working in the fields of environment, public health, plastic waste management, sustainable mobility, and capacity-building workshops. Social Lab, an organization committed to data-driven, people-centric waste management solutions, highlighted their continued collaboration with municipalities and global stakeholders to enhance waste circularity aligned with the Swachh Bharat Mission.
As part of the SAFAL program, the training focused on:
1. Identifying various types of plastics, including Multi-Layered Plastics (MLP)
2. Sorting methods and recognizing hazardous and e-waste
3. Safety protocols and usage of protective equipment
4. Importance of waste segregation and colour-coded bins
5. Role-plays and teamwork activities to foster communication and cooperation
Interactive modules, practical demonstrations, and engaging activities made the workshop both educational and impactful. Each participant received a Safety Kit comprising reflective jackets and caps, reinforcing the emphasis on health and safety.
The event concluded with a renewed sense of pride and responsibility among the sanitation workers. The success of SAFAL is a step forward in building a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable Pune, where every hand involved in waste management is valued, trained, and protected.
