Haritha Karma Sena Achieves Milestone Year with Record Revenue and Waste Collection
The Haritha Karma Sena (HKS), Thiruvananthapuram's dedicated green task force operated by the city corporation, has demonstrated remarkable progress in the financial year 2025-26. Official data reveals a steady increase in both revenue generation and waste collection volumes, highlighting the growing success of decentralized waste management systems and enhanced public engagement in the region.
Revenue Surge Driven by Household Fees and Recyclable Sales
Total revenue for the year soared to an impressive Rs 336.18 crore, with household user fees constituting the majority at Rs 264.91 crore. Establishments contributed Rs 54.43 crore in user fees, while the sale of recyclable waste generated Rs 16.83 crore, reflecting improved material recovery and stronger market connections.
The monthly revenue trend remained largely stable, fluctuating between Rs 27 crore and Rs 28.7 crore for most of the year. However, the final quarter witnessed a significant surge, with March 2026 setting a new monthly high at Rs 28.76 crore. This peak was fueled by a sharp rise in income from recyclable materials, which alone contributed over Rs 1.80 crore that month—the highest such figure for the year.
Other strong performers included December 2025 at Rs 28.55 crore and January 2026 at Rs 28.44 crore, indicating sustained momentum in revenue mobilization throughout the latter part of the financial year.
Waste Collection Volumes Show Significant Growth
In parallel with revenue growth, waste collection volumes exhibited a substantial upward trajectory. The total inorganic waste collected during FY 2025-26 reached 73,98,325 tonnes, underscoring enhanced operational efficiency and better segregation at source by residents.
Monthly collection figures demonstrated a gradual increase, particularly in the second half of the year. Starting at approximately 4.99 lakh tonnes in April 2025, the numbers climbed steadily, peaking in January 2026 with 7.51 lakh tonnes—the highest monthly collection recorded by HKS operations.
Other high-performing months included December 2025 at 7 lakh tonnes and March 2026 at 6.84 lakh tonnes, showcasing sustained efficiency in collection and processing systems. The rise in waste collection during December and January is attributed to higher consumption patterns during the festive and holiday seasons, which also led to increased recovery of recyclables and higher revenue from waste sales.
Challenges and Overall Impact
Minor fluctuations were observed during the monsoon months, with June and September recording comparatively lower figures in both revenue and waste collection. These dips are likely due to logistical challenges posed by heavy rains, which can disrupt collection activities.
A senior corporation official commented on the findings, stating, "Overall, the data reflect a strengthening waste management ecosystem. The consistent inflow of user fees, coupled with rising income from recyclable waste, demonstrates the viability of the HKS model."
Established in 2022 across all local self-governments, the Haritha Karma Sena was created to address Kerala's severe waste management crisis through a decentralized approach. The results from FY 2025-26 suggest that this initiative is not only meeting its environmental goals but also proving financially sustainable, with public participation playing a crucial role in its success.
