Siwan's Khalwa Village Pioneers 'Scrap Market Model', Turning Waste into Wealth

• Khalwa Gram Panchayat in Siwan, Bihar, is the first village in India to purchase household waste via a mobile app, the 'Kabaad Mandi' model.
• Launched in February 2024 under the Lohia Swachh Bihar Abhiyan, the initiative has generated 1.7 million rupees for the panchayat in less than two years.
• Villagers register waste details on the Kabaad Mandi app; Asraj Scrap Solution Private Limited collects, weighs, and pays for items like plastic, metal, and cardboard at fixed rates.
• A Plastic Waste Management Unit in Khalwa Panchayat processes collected plastic, creating employment for 22 people and transforming waste into products like bags, benches, and materials for road construction.
• The model has changed villagers' mindsets, promoting cleanliness, environmental protection, additional income, and local employment, making Khalwa a national and international example.

Why It Matters: Khalwa village in Siwan successfully implemented a 'Scrap Market Model' turning waste into income and employment.