Problem Addressed

Many rickshaw drivers spend long hours on the road and traditionally carry drinking water in plastic bottles or reused single-use packaged water bottles.

Plastic bottles exposed to heat and sunlight may release chemicals and microplastics into drinking water. The project encourages a shift towards reusable steel bottles while simultaneously creating public awareness.

Project Concept

Provide steel water bottles to participating rickshaw drivers and install a simple awareness message on the back of the driver’s seat.

Every passenger entering the rickshaw sees the message.

The project therefore creates:

1. Health benefits for drivers.
2. Reduction in plastic bottle usage.
3. Daily public awareness without requiring additional manpower or campaigns.

Why Rickshaw Drivers?

• Long working hours
• Daily need for drinking water
• High visibility in public spaces
• Direct interaction with thousands of citizens

A network of 100 participating drivers can potentially interact with over 1,000 passengers every day, while many more citizens may see the awareness message from outside the vehicle.

Expected Outcomes

Direct Impact

• 100 drivers using steel bottles
• Reduced dependence on plastic bottles

Awareness Impact

• 1,000+ direct passenger interactions per day
• Thousands of additional visual impressions through public visibility

Long-Term Impact

• Health-focused behaviour change
• Increased awareness regarding microplastics
• Creation of visible sustainability ambassadors across the city

Inspired By

• Rickshaw Driver awareness and Behavior change
• Mangesh Gaikwad Story

Suitable For
Corporators, CSR, Donor Organizations. 

Roadmap Summary

Phase 1:
Area Identification

Phase 2:
Rickshaw Drivers Engagement

Phase 3:
Awareness Generation

Phase 4:
Implementation

Phase 5:
Monitoring

Expected Timeline

6 months

Typical Budget

< ₹ 1,00,000

Potential Reach

100 rickshaw drivers and 1000 people every day