Social Entrepreneurship: Sustainability and Effectiveness, Necessary for Survival

Abstract

Wherever there is human activity, there is creation of waste. Wherever there is waste it needs to be disposed. It is this method of handling, storing, collecting, and disposing off this waste is what maizes it a risk or safe for our environment. Almost one to two thirds of the solid waste generated is not even collected (World Resources Institute et al 1996). Yet again, if collected it is mostly mixed with human and animal excrete and dumped indiscriminately. Even if they do become part of the organized landfills, they are badly managed leading to rodent, flies menace which result in epidemics.

Solid waste management (SWM) is a multidimensional challenge faced more so by the urban authorities, by all the developing nations. Wastes, collected from all households, were segregated and weighed and it was found that household solid waste (HSW) comprised of nine categories of waste with vegetable/food waste (62%) being the largest component. 66% of this waste was bio degradable or compostable in nature. Municipal authorities are usually the responsible agencies for solid waste collection and disposal, but the magnitude of the problem is well beyond the ability of any municipal government to tackle. Hence if the residents themselves took proactive action it would change the complete landscape of waste management.

This study shows that household solid waste can be converted from a burden to a resource through segregation at the source. So if people (solid waste creators) themselves were aware of their role in this direction and a mechanism to assist them in this pursuit was developed a positive result was definite on the cards. It is a narrative of a social entrepreneurship venture which aims at reducing domestic garbage at the first instance. It suggests making composting a regular feature of an urban Indian's life. This could be done by developing a range of home composting solutions to ensure that one can conveniently and hygienically compost at home or larger units, and thereby reduce the garbage. It also helps in overcoming the conditioned mindsets to believe that if managed well, garbage can be hygienic and extremely useful too.

This research paper should benefit both the development academicians (teachers and students) and entrepreneurs in the making, NGOs, and policy makers also. It helps in understanding

• Functioning of social entrepreneurship venture

• Marrying of ideas, both traditional and technological innovation in the changing landscape for I entrepreneurs.