Waste Concern is one of those social businesses that tackles a breadth of social and environmental issues -- and with bite. The Bangladesh-based group reverts waste into organic fertilizer for small farmers.
"Waste Concern increases waste pickers’ incomes and provides them with healthcare, daycare centres and free meals, although none of this is legally required," wrote Katherine Milligan in the World Economic Forum Blog. "It does not charge the government tipping fees, saving the municipality of Dhaka approximately US$ 1.2 million in waste management every year." That's no small feat.
In 2012, social enterprises and social businesses alike should look to cutting-edge innovators like Waste Concern who create a vision of change that is all-encompassing and, maybe more importantly, relentless.
Contact Information
Waste Concern website
Job-Creating Recycling Programs
Bangladesh's 'Waste Concern' is an Eco Social Business with Bite
Trend Themes
1. Eco-recycling - Innovative recycling programs that turn waste into organic fertilizer for small farmers can improve waste management and provide economic benefits to waste pickers.
2. Social Business - Social businesses like Waste Concern can provide income, healthcare, and other benefits to waste pickers while simultaneously improving waste management and reducing government costs.
3. Inclusive Growth - Social enterprises like Waste Concern provide a vision for creating change that is all-encompassing and relentless, driving inclusive growth in developing countries.
Industry Implications
1. Waste Management - Innovative recycling programs and social businesses like Waste Concern can disrupt the waste management industry by improving efficiency and reducing costs for municipalities.
2. Agriculture - Eco-recycling programs that turn waste into organic fertilizer provide economic benefits to small farmers, disrupting the agricultural industry and promoting sustainable farming practices.
3. Social Services - Social businesses like Waste Concern can disrupt the social services industry by providing income, healthcare, and other benefits to waste pickers, contributing to inclusive growth and poverty alleviation.