Abstract
This study looks closely at the waste management systems of two cities - Ahmedabad and Pune - and the role played by two organizations - SEWA and SWaCH - to understand the status of waste management, the level of inclusion and sustainability in the existing systems and what kind of transitions they are headed towards. The study is based on a thorough analysis of data and information provided by the Pune and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporations, surveys of over 570 scrap dealers, and FGDs, and interviews with informal waste workers, and leaders of organizations of waste workers in both cities.The findings highlight the significant potential for creating green and decent jobs through inclusive, decentralized approaches. The experiences of the Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP) and its cooperative SWaCH in Pune, alongside the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) in Ahmedabad, offer critical insights into the pathways—and the challenges—towards a just transition in the waste sector. This study aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, urban local bodies, and civil society organizations working to build waste management systems that are both environmentally sustainable and socially just.