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S.O.R.T
Segregation of Waste for Recycling and Treatment
A Swarn Lata Motherson Trust (SLMTT) & PLAN Foundation Initiative
Sorting Waste, Strengthening Communities
Mission
The S.O.R.T Project is currently being implemented in Ahmedabad, building on its work in Kovalam and Oulgarte, where decentralised waste systems are already in place. As the city grows, so does its waste challenge, with low segregation and increasing volumes putting pressure on landfills and communities.
S.O.R.T focuses on simple, decentralised solutions at the neighbourhood level. By working with Resident Welfare Associations and introducing Aerobins and Sanitation Parks, it ensures waste is sorted, processed, and managed locally instead of being dumped.
Kovalam’s Decentralized Waste Management Model
The Kovalam model combines rural and peri-urban strategies to enable decentralized waste management. At the Panchayat level, composting centres, a sanitation park, and a dry waste facility support efficient processing and material recovery. In peri-urban areas, Aerobins promote in-situ wet waste management within communities.
The model also addresses marine litter through responsible collection and recycling of fishing waste, alongside community initiatives like beach clean-ups. Overall, it offers a scalable approach for managing waste across mixed-settlement regions.
What We've Achieved So Far
Vision
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Percentage of Waste diverted: 60%
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Total number of beneficiaries: 1,29,000+
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Total kg of organic waste input in the Aerobin: 2,40,000+
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Total Greenhouse Gases Offset (CO2e kg): 3,400,000+
The S.O.R.T Way
What makes SORT different is that it is built to last, built to scale, and built around the people it serves. Because at its core, SORT is not just about managing waste better. It is about building a system that communities trust, own, and refuse to let fail.
From Pilot to Proven Model
SORT is not just a project, it is a blueprint. It has already expanded from Kovalam to Oulgarte and now to Ahmedabad. That journey from coastal village to urban city is a compelling proof of concept that no other similar project can claim yet.
Rethinking Waste Management
SORT replaces the stigma of waste facilities with odourless Aerobins and welcoming Sanitation Parks, making waste management something communities actually want to be part of.
What the Community is Saying
Anandhan,
Waste Management Professional,
Kovalam
"Earlier, waste collection was just a job for me. Through S.O.R.T, I now understand the science of composting and feel proud that my work keeps Kovalam clean. The training, health support, and recognition have given me dignity and stability I never had before."
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"The leachate collected from Aerobins is very useful for our garden. Nothing is wasted, and it supports our plants well."
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