Discover how 600 students of T.S. Residential School, Tandur turned their 12-acre campus with over 4,000 trees in a people-led plantation drive enabled by Goonj.
Goonj Maharashtra
State Report
Transforming lives through dignity,
sustainability and community empowerment
Over the years, as our urban work spread to other centers in Maharashtra, a strong systemic connection emerged across rural regions. Communities stepped up with their efforts and local knowledge, evolving their own solutions for urgent issues like water, sanitation, ecology, livelihood, and more.
This bridge-building between urban and rural areas is at the heart of Goonj’s idea—facilitating a barter system where urban surplus material and rural wisdom become two powerful currencies for development. This report, marking 25 years of Goonj, offers a glimpse into the inspiring possibilities that have emerged across this vibrant state.
MAHARASHTRA COMMUNITY IMPACT:
KEY HIGHLIGHTS (2014-2024)
The following numbers represent the collective power of communities in driving change
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
6,000+
tonnes of material repurposed to reach village communities.
EDUCATION
100,000+
school kits reached to 1,600+ schools.
ENVIRONMENT
170,000+
saplings planted, promoting sustainable conservation efforts.
WATER MANAGEMENT
1800+
initiatives for rural water security.
MENSTRUAL HYGIENE
3,80,000+
MY Pads channelised for menstrual awareness.
URBAN Partnerships
250+
organizations engaged in sustainable development.
DISASTER RESPONSE
1,60,000+
families reached during floods, cyclones and fires
MALNUTRITION SOLUTIONS
2700+
kitchen gardens developed to combat food insecurity.
LIVELIHOOD Restoration
1600+
families empowered to rebuild their sources of income.
Each milestone reflects the spirit of community action and resilience.
IMPACT STORIES
Behind every statistic is a story of transformation and dignity-led development.
In Andhra Pradesh’s Kondapalli village, 58 residents cleaned a 1.5 km canal through Goonj’s Cloth for Work initiative, reviving irrigation and rebuilding farming livelihoods.
Reclaiming Flow, Rebuilding Livelihoods – Canal Repair in Kondapalli, Andhra Pradesh
Through Goonj’s NJPC initiative, six villages in Andhra Pradesh installed community-led My Pad ATMs—restoring dignity and access to menstrual hygiene through dialogue and local stewardship.
When Conversations Lead to Care – Community-Led My Pad ATM Installation in Andhra Pradesh
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
This is our clarion call to people: Don’t just recycle, ‘Goonj.. it’ instead!
Any surplus material you may have—at home, in offices, or anywhere—is urgently needed to respond to climate change and climate emergencies across India. Goonj exponentially increases the impact of your material by deploying it to mobilize and enable people in both urban and rural India to drive climate action-led solutions.
Let’s play a more active role in shaping a better world for ourselves and future generations.