Featured image: Left image: Lakshmavva; Right image: Saraswati (Waste collector) & Jayanthi (waste collector) (L to R)
This article has been sponsored by The Body Shop
Recently, plastic pollution has emerged as a global crisis, significantly impacting marine life and human populations alike. India faces particular challenges due to inadequate waste management practices. Although efforts are underway to reduce plastic consumption, this alone is insufficient to tackle the escalating problem of plastic pollution.
Headquartered in London, The Body Shop partnered with the startup ‘Plastics for Change’ in India to launch its Community Fair Trade Recycled Plastic programme in 2019, aiming to incorporate community-traded recycled plastic into its best-selling products while helping to empower waste pickers.
As a part of the initiative, The Body Shop buys recycled plastic collected by waste collectors in a number of centres including Bengaluru, incorporating it into the packaging after thorough cleaning and converting it to recycled granules.
The Body Shop started by integrating Plastics For Change material into one product line (shampoos) and has now expanded to 14 product lines, including all PET bottles and jars. This expansion covers body and hair care products, as well as some skincare items.
Shriti Malhotra, Group CEO of Quest Retail The Body Shop India, says, “The Body Shop and Plastics for Change collaborated with an ambitious goal of not just using recycled plastic but using plastic as a resource to uplift the lives of thousands of informal waste workers. Socially, the programme has created meaningful employment opportunities for marginalised communities. Importantly, over 50 percent of those involved in our partnership are women, contributing to gender equality in the workforce.”
“Plastics for Change has been actively working to uplift the lives of waste collectors and their families. The programme also provides access to essential social services such as healthcare, education, and financial support, fostering holistic well-being within these communities. It empowers women waste collectors to become entrepreneurs and achieve financial independence, helping to break the cycle of poverty and promoting gender equality,” she adds.
From fighting plastic pollution to championing waste collector rights
Beyond addressing plastic pollution, The Body Shop is collaborating with waste collectors — who are often the unsung heroes of waste management — to reshape the narrative surrounding waste management and improve their livelihoods.
In India, approximately 1.5 million waste pickers, with around half a million being women, work tirelessly each day to clean the streets and cities. Unfortunately, many of these individuals face discrimination and endure poor working conditions.
Project N.A.R.I (Nutrition. Ability. Retraining. Inclusion) was launched to address key challenges faced by waste collectors, especially women, who work in hazardous conditions, facing increased exposure to contaminated waste without adequate protective equipment.
As part of the initiative, 100 women waste collectors were provided PPE (personal protective equipment) kits, essential to reducing their health risks. Furthermore, they received daily meals, protein, and vitamin supplements, aimed at combating malnutrition and improving their overall health.
The project also promoted financial inclusion by facilitating access to banking systems and government schemes. For every kilogram of plastic traded, women received cash incentives directly into their bank accounts, fostering savings habits and ensuring transparency.
Manjula, a dedicated waste collector, has been the company’s beneficiary for the past two years. Through their partnership, she gained access to an electric tricycle, which has significantly improved her ability to collect more waste each day. This ultimately increased her income. With a stable income, Manjula has been able to ensure her daughter has the education that she herself never had.
Balancing cost and impact in recycling initiatives
The transformative impact of The Body Shop’s collaboration with Plastics for Change is evident through stories like that of Manjula
Commenting on the challenges faced while scaling the impact of the various initiatives, Andrew Almack, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Plastics for Change, says, “At Plastics For Change, we believe in the power of responsible sourcing practices to transform lives. Our collaboration with The Body Shop goes beyond addressing plastic waste — it’s about creating lasting change in the lives of informal waste collectors. Through fair trade practices and community-driven impact, we’re ensuring that the very plastic that threatens our environment can become a tool for empowerment and economic opportunity, particularly for women. This partnership is a testament to how businesses can drive meaningful social impact while supporting a circular economy. Developing and maintaining fair trade-verified supply chains is hard work, but is incredibly rewarding.”
The collaboration has been able to support a network of over 500 recycling stakeholders that is benefiting more than 2,500 waste collectors by providing fair wages for waste material, better working conditions, and improved livelihood opportunities.
As The Body Shop marks its five-year milestone, it aims to localise production of the raw material, diversify the opportunities for partnership with secondary packaging along with primary packaging, as well as strengthen engagement with local CSR initiatives in India for women.
Through collective efforts and ongoing partnerships, the company is striving to fight against plastic pollution and work towards a future where waste pickers are valued, respected, and provided with the opportunities they deserve.
Together, we brighten lives and build stronger communities. You can make a difference by donating in multiples of Rs 10. Your donation will help fund E-Tricycles for waste collectors, making their work safer and more efficient.
Edited by Pranita Bhat; All photos: The Body Shop
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