Alliance for Waste Equity (AWE), Goa, India

The Alliance for Waste Equity (AWE) addresses the critical lack of waste segregation in Goa, India, by mapping and optimizing decentralized waste infrastructure. The project focuses on Waste Material Recovery Units (MRUs), or segregation sheds, which serve as the backbone for solid waste management at the village level. Using innovative geo-mapping tools, the multidisciplinary team from the University of Minnesota and IIT Goa is identifying gaps in the waste economy to create a scalable model for rural and semi-urban regions.

The project prioritizes "place-based" design and policy recommendations informed by granular, field-verified data. Central to the initiative is the dignity and safety of waste workers, as the Indian waste management system relies heavily on human labor. By blending geospatial analysis with community-engaged research, AWE aims to transform waste processing into a safer, more efficient, and more equitable system for the state's most populated districts.