Project SAIM: A Milestone in Goa's Waste Management

Posted on 16 July 2024
Project SAIM
© WWF-India
Project SAIM represents a vision for a circular economy where waste can be recycled and co-processed to become a useable resource.
WWF-India and Saahas Zero Waste are working jointly to enhance Goa's existing waste management infrastructure by establishing a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at GIDC.

Goa, July 16, 2024 - Today, Goa took a significant step towards sustainable waste management with the inauguration of Project SAIM (Sustainable Approach to Integrated Waste Management). This initiative—a collaboration between WWF-India and Saahas Zero Waste—aims to revolutionize the way Goa handles its waste, addressing longstanding challenges with innovative solutions and community involvement.

At the heart of Project SAIM is the newly established Material Recovery Facility (MRF) located in GIDC, Nessai near Margao. Spanning 7,000 square feet and equipped with state-of-the-art machinery including trommels, conveyors, and balers, the MRF has a daily capacity of processing up to 7.5 tonnes of dry waste. Operated with full compliance to environmental and social regulations, the facility will serve as a cornerstone for effective waste segregation, collection, and processing.

The Chief Guest for the event, Shri Aleixo Sequeira, Hon'ble Minister of Law & Judiciary, Environment, Ports & Legislative Affairs, Government of Goa, shared with the gathering, “I extend my best wishes to WWF-India and Sahaas Zero Waste on the launch of the project (SAIM). I am confident that this initiative will be a success. I assure them Government of Goa's full cooperation and support in whatever capacity they require.”
The initiative focuses on decentralizing waste management efforts across 30 village panchayats in South Goa, catering to a diverse range of stakeholders including hotels, resorts, corporate campuses, educational institutions and communities at large. Through comprehensive services for segregation, collection, sorting, and processing of dry waste, Project SAIM aims to divert materials from landfills and promote recycling and co-processing practices.
Speaking about the project, Dr. Sejal Worah, Programme Director, WWF-India highlighted its significance to conservation: "Project SAIM is an important contribution to conserving Goa's biodiversity and combating plastic pollution in sensitive ecosystems like rivers and oceans. By fostering collaboration and innovation, we aim to set a new standard for waste management in coastal regions."

Beyond dry waste, Project SAIM places a strong emphasis on managing organic waste sustainably, promoting practices such as home composting, onsite composting, and local mulching of garden litter. This holistic approach will ensure that both biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste streams are handled responsibly, minimizing Goa's environmental footprint. By engaging local communities and adhering to stringent environmental standards, the initiative aims to position Goa at the forefront of sustainable waste management practices in India.

Wilma Rodrigues, Chief Transformation Officer at Saahas Zero Waste, emphasized the project's broader impact: "Through Project SAIM, we are pioneering a model that integrates environmental stewardship with social responsibility. Our efforts are focused on achieving operational excellence while creating meaningful employment opportunities under safe and compliant conditions."

About Saahas Zero Waste
Saahas Zero Waste (SZW) is an Integrated Management Systems Certified social enterprise that offers holistic waste management services which are aligned with resource recovery, circular economy ESG frameworks and waste management regulations. Our Quality, Environmental, Occupational Health & Safety Management System is certified according to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 & ISO 45001:2018 from TUV-SUD. The company was incorporated as a private limited company in 2013 and is also registered as a “small industry” under MSME regulations. With over 10 years of domain expertise and a strong senior team of experts, SZW currently manages over 100+ Metric Tonnes of waste per day across India. We believe that in the 21st century, businesses should put the well-being of our planet and all human beings above profits.
https://saahaszerowaste.com/
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About WWF-India 
WWF-India is committed to creating and demonstrating practical solutions that help conserve India's ecosystems and rich biodiversity. With a conservation journey spanning over 50 years, WWF-India works towards finding science-based and sustainable solutions. Our holistic and integrated approach assists in addressing challenges at the interface of development and conservation. WWF-India is part of the WWF network, with offices in over 100 countries. We work in different geographical regions pan-India through state and field offices. The uniqueness lies in the interconnectedness of our work and its impact across thematic areas- including conservation of key wildlife species, management of their habitats, rivers and wetlands, climate change adaptation, driving sustainable solutions for business and agriculture, and empowering local communities as conservation stewards. WWF-India also works to combat illegal wildlife trade and bring environmental education to students through outreach and awareness campaigns.   

For more details, please visit our website and social media pages: 
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For any query please contact:
Komal Chaudhary
Senior Manager-Media & PR, WWF-India
kchaudhary@wwfindia.net
Project SAIM
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