Group now produces certified compost using indigenous techniques
News Alliance
REGIONAL, December 14, 2025: Women are leading in waste management and are setting the standard in delivering tangible change in the overall waste segregation in Meghalaya. One such inspiration is Lainehskhem Self-Help Group (SHG), popularly called the “Merry Maidens of Shillong” has evolved into an organisation that efface runs a Waste Recovery Centre.
Merry Maidens first began as a collective of women waste pickers at the Marten landfill. The group now produces certified compost using traditional and indigenous techniques, turning organic waste into a valuable resource.
The success of the SHG is closely linked to consistent training and technical support from the Urban Affairs Department. Through capacity-building and institutional backing, the women have transformed a challenging and often stigmatised occupation into a structured, dignified and sustainable livelihood.
Their work is reducing landfill load, improving soil health and promoting responsible waste segregation in surrounding communities.
Beyond environmental benefits, the group has strengthened the local green economy, demonstrating the socio-economic potential of community-driven solutions. The Merry Maidens of Shillong now serve as a powerful model of how women-led grassroots efforts, when supported by state interventions, can deliver long-term solutions to waste management challenges while advancing inclusive and sustainable development in Meghalaya.
In line with the Government of Meghalaya’s ongoing push to strengthen waste management systems, the State is witnessing encouraging progress across several districts. Enhanced waste segregation, community-led composting programmes and strengthened environmental monitoring are reshaping local waste management practices.
Among the most notable outcomes of this transformation is the rise of women-led initiatives supported by state agencies.
India is witnessing a transformative shift in waste management, driven by initiatives under the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India, and efforts by various State Governments. With a focus on source segregation, plastic reduction, decentralised composting and community participation, these programmes are reshaping how cities and towns handle solid waste.
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