Decentralized solid waste management was started in 1992/93. It was a revolutionary concept and a hit among the residents, office goers, bazars, educational institutes, army installations and where not. Within five years it had expanded to Vatavaran providing service to atleast 2.5 lakh delhities. In 1999 all schemes were handed over to respective beneficieries who changed their names and activities according to their areas needs. however Vasant Kunj schemes carried on their services directly under the brand name Vatavaran. For years over 80 waste collectors (semi literate or illiterate, living in shanties of Rangpuri Pahari, Mahipalpur, Kusumpur Pahari, Kishen Garh and Mehrauli) served 4000 middle-income households and 4 local markets. When Vatavaran evolved to Rhizome these waste collectors formed their own organization- The Clean Team. They decided the logo, the colors, the uniforms and the tag line (Swatch Bharat Abhiyaan forward in an honest way). Their mission is upkeep of the colony they work in. Fifty-four of them collect door-to-door garbage (90% segregated & 10 % mixed), bio compost it, collect recyclables, sweep colony roads, mop stairs and keep the area clean. Rest 26 keep 800 offices, 200 restaurants, shops and 60 washrooms of three floored 4 local markets neat and tidy.

Thus at present Vasant Kunj has three categories of Sectors:

(i) Clean Teams along with the Resident Welfare Organizations are responsible for the upkeep of the Sector,

(ii) Individuals have full responsibility of the Clean Team and the upkeep of their Sector,

(iii) Resident Welfare Organizations have full responsibility of the upkeep of the sector on the guide lines of Clean Team and Vatavaran Rhizome.

The Advisors of Vatavaran Rhizome are happy with this evolution as the jobs and other benefits for members of the Clean Team are secure and community involvement is increasing.