Encouraging source-level segregation. Systematic source separation is a crucial component of any successful waste management system that facilitates efficient financial management through minimum energy and labour inputs in the downstream process (Fujii, 2008; Matter et al., 2013; Tai et al., 2011). Shuddham recognized the importance of sustainable source-level segregation through community sensitization in order to achieve efficient resource recovery. To achieve this, it undertook a series of continuous community outreach and training programs in order to motivate and sustain the interest of the residents for segregating waste into different primary categories. The residents were encouraged to sort their household waste into the following five categories: (a) kitchen waste; (b) recyclables; (c) garden
waste; (d) sanitary waste; and (e) hazardous wastes. Pamphlets were handed out to the residents on how to handle and sort waste. To motivate the habit of keeping recyclable waste materials separate from food waste and other hazardous waste streams, Shuddam provided residents with a bag free of charge on which was printed a list of recyclables to be collected and sorted. The categories of MSW encountered were classified as given in Table 1. Waste management practices adopted by Shuddham are illustrated in Figure 3.