Introducing our Learning Labs approach

Parag Gupta
Founder, Waste Ventures

Unfortunately, the ability to deliver market-based solid waste management is a bit of an enigma to the waste picker groups with whom we work. The best way we can uncover the best manner in which waste pickers can conduct solid waste management is to prepare these waste picker companies to become industry leaders in. To achieve this, Waste Ventures pursues a Learning Lab approach in which critical sensitivities are tried and tested. These include:

1. Uptake by households – What is the best marketing method for households? Can we help households feel valuable by providing them with an SMS facility through which to report missed collection days?
2. Reliance on local staff – Does payment of monthly bonus incentives to collectors and supervisors raise customer service levels?
3. Operating and capital expense – Are we able to improve upon existing handcart designs for half the price? How can we minimize CapEx exposure through use of innovative materials in building our compost and recycling sheds?
4. Translation of profit to impact – Which methodology is more effective at increasing waste picker children in school: supply school uniforms to their parents, or check school attendance records? Is provision of a credit facility, savings plan or pensions plan more effective at increasing family wealth?

By doing so (and having a control sample), we can scientifically understand what works and what does not and then disseminate our findings to the broad waste picker community.