Assessment of the information solid waste collection sector in Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Whereas in Western Countries, resource recovery is integrated within the formal solid waste management [SWM] system, waste pickers [for livelihood reasons] support the inadequate SWM system in developing countries by reclaiming recyclables. The following study has been carried out aiming at determining demographic data, analyzing working conditions, and estimating the contribution of these waste pickers to solid waste recycling in Alexandria. The study sample consisted of 50 waste pickers selected randomly from different waste collection points. Data were collected using a questionnaire. The study revealed that the average age of waste pickers was 30 years old, and that 50% of them were illiterate. They had an average of 10 years of experience in such a field and of LE 32 as daily earning from such occupation. All of them were facing health hazards resulting from coming into contact with waste materials, as well as a social hazard resulting from police harassment. However, [as a result to the waste material they collect from communal containers], banning their activities would send US$ 0.3 million daily to the landfill and would increase the cost of solid waste collection and transport bu US$0.2 million daily. Consequently, the study concluded their importance for the well-being of the community, and recommended that SWM laws should be concentrated to improve their collection and recycling activities in terms of occupational health and environmental pollution.