1. Is Saahas a not-for-profit organization?

Yes, Saahas is a not for profit organization registered as a Society under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act 1960.

2. Does Saahas have FCRA, 80G, 12A and CSR-1 registrations?

Yes, Saahas has valid certifications required to receive FCRA and CSR funds. Refer Compliance tab for details.

3. What are the types of activities that Saahas undertakes?

Saahas works in urban and rural areas to help set up scientific and sustainable solid waste management systems through behavioural change, capacity building and providing technical handholding support. We work with all stakeholders and engage with communities, educational institutions, corporates and government authorities. We train and engage with informal waste workers to improve their work conditions and provide dignified livelihood opportunities in the waste management sector. We also undertake baseline assessment, situation analysis; monitoring & evaluation of solid waste management systems; research and document supply chains of different waste streams; design of waste processing systems like composting units, Material Recovery Facilities; pilot testing of specific waste processing/disposal technology apart for any other specific research/implementation requirement that might need our intervention and support.
We provide customized trainings to meet the needs of elected representatives, executives of ULBs, Gram Panchayats, Government Functionaries, Corporate/PSU Employees and Residential campuses and townships.

4. What is the difference between Saahas and Saahas Zero Waste (Saahas Waste Management Pvt Ltd)?

Saahas was founded in 2001 as a not-for-profit entity and works on behavioural change, capacity building and providing technical handholding support. We act as an enabler of the eco-system to help being about a change in how waste is looked at. Saahas Waste Management Pvt Ltd (aka Saahas Zero Waste) is an environmental and social enterprise founded in 2013. It branched out of the NGO Saahas in 2013 and is registered as a Pvt Ltd company. It provides waste management, EPR and consultancy services and promotes sale of upcycled products. Both the organizations are independent entities founded by Wilma Rodrigues.

5. Does Saahas provide waste management services to residential societies, corporates and institutes?

No, Saahas doesn’t offer waste management services. These are provided by Saahas Waste Management Pvt Ltd.

6. Does Saahas have any restrictions on geographies where it works?

Saahas works pan-India in rural, peri-urban and urban areas. We have no restrictions on geographies where we wish to work.

7. How does Saahas engage with schools and educational institutes?

Yes, Saahas recognises the importance of engaging with the young citizens of the country to instil the ideas of sustainability and optimal usage of resources in them at a young age. We run customized programs for schools and educational institutions.

8. What are the volunteering opportunities for individual and corporate employees?

There are numerous opportunities for interested volunteers to engage with us. Refer to our page https://www.saahas.org/get-involved/volunteering-opportunities for details. We also engage corporate employees in the CSR projects funded by the Corporates.

9. What is the budget and duration of typical CSR projects undertaken by Saahas?

As a large component of waste management involves behavioural change among the community and other stakeholders which takes time to show results, our projects are typically of a duration of 3-5 years. We typically work with budgets of Rs.20 Lakhs per annum and upwards per project. However, we also undertake short duration projects for baseline surveys, needs assessments, capacity building workshops etc.

10. Does Saahas make and sell recycled/upcycled products?

No, the NGO Saahas does not produce or sell any recycled/upcycled products. However, we train women and men in making eco-friendly products / upcycled products as part of our interventions.