Wastepickers social history: from outsiders to “green profession”

Abstract

The article outlines the sociological aspects of the formation and transformation of the social group of waste collectors in terms of the sociology of occupations. The designated functionalist and procedural approach to the study of the problems of development of this group. Four stages in the development of an occupation have been identified, ranging from crafts to the formation of a professional group in the context of environmental challenges and the modernization of the modern world economy. Four stages of the development of the occupation of collecting waste from ancient times to our time are highlighted. The main forms in which there is an occupation today are highlighted: labor associations, cooperatives, representatives of the “green” professions group, traditionally fixed stigma in the social hierarchy, anomie due to the separation of customs, shadow illegal organization, self-employment, situational crisis forms of garbage disposal. Earlier in history, the skills and status of a waste collector could be inherited without using an educational institution. In the twentieth century, environmental catacalism promotes the emergence of green professions, which also perform a cleansing function, but differing in quality of skills. The tougher the environmental challenges are, the more relevant all forms of employment will be.