This is a compendium of stories on solid waste management systems across the country. Created by Socratus Foundation in partnership with the Climate Arise Alliance, the publication documents grassroots initiatives, citizen-led movements, and innovative models that are reshaping how waste is understood and managed in India.
I created a series of 26 editorial illustrations for the project. Each story required careful reading and contextual understanding - social, regional, and political. My task was to distill these layered narratives into single-frame sketches that captured the spirit and complexity of each initiative.
The compendium currently exists as an online publication, with plans for print editions and travelling exhibitions in the future.
26 Editorial illustrations | Procreate | Urban Research | Socratus Foundation, Bangalore | 2025 | Digital
A consolidated map of the country showing an overview of each of the waste stories & their locations.
Hands on Waste, Kolkata, West Bengal
Know Waste - Pratham Education Foundation, Chattisgarh
A stitch in time saves a ton - Samposhan, Chennai, Tamilnadu
Clean Cooperatives - SWaCH, Pune, Maharashtra
What is in my bin? - Bintix Waste Research Private Ltd, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Where does the waste go? - LEDeG, Leh, Ladakh
Waste needs an office space - Hasiru Dala, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Manage value at source - Start Upcycling Now Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Handling tourism waste surges - LEDeG, Leh, Ladakh
Mining for a cause - LEDeG, Leh, Ladakh
Kitchen to Kitchen - Saahas, Chennai, Tamilnadu
Women Wastepreneurship - Green Worms, Kozhikode, Kerala
Micro solutions for macro problems - Tiruchirapalli, Tamilnadu
Living with dignity - Saamuhika Shakti, Bengaluru, Karnataka
It takes a village to transform one - Hasiru Dala, Nagawala, Karnataka
Housing Colonies Waste Act - Hasiru Dala, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Islands of no waste - Dakshin Foundation, South Andaman Islands, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Where should sanitation workers live? - TIDE, Chikkaballapura, Karnataka
Paryavaran Sakhi/Friends of waste - Waste Warriors Society, Rural Himalayan Regions
Self-help is the best help - Saahas, Udipi, Karnataka
Green Workers Army - SEUF, Madapally, Kerala
Alag Karo - Saahas, Sushant Lok, Gurugram
Kachra na kar/Don't make waste - Rounglass Foundation, Punjab
Bhoomitra - Saahas, Bengaluru, Karnataka
