About This Project
Summary
#WashTheDabba spotlights informal waste pickers - i.e. #InvaluableRecyclers - of Bengaluru, India’s Silicon Valley, through empathy-driven storytelling. Co-created with them, it promotes professional dignity for this often-invisible community by changing perceptions and encouraging rinsing of disposable food containers. The campaign used creative media, influencers, and community partnerships to turn a simple act into city-wide behaviour change and national interest.
Goals & Objectives
The primary goal of #WashTheDabba campaign, rooted in design thinking and human dignity, was to encourage Bengaluru residents to rinse plastic food containers before disposal, making waste segregation safer and more dignified for informal waste pickers, while also improving recyclability.
Results & Impact
#WashTheDabba saw 60% of exposed individuals adopt rinsing food containers before disposal. Waste pickers in Bengaluru reported receiving cleaner containers. It received support from influencers, artists, schools, NGOs, municipal bodies, and corporates like Zomato promoting the practice nationally.
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