Informal Waste Research Articles

Comparative analysis of the effectiveness and efficiency of formal and informal waste collectors in urban waste management system

Effective and efficient waste collection and management is critical to achieving sustainable cities and communities, public health, and sustainable development. This notwithstanding, the rapid and ever-increasing rate of urban waste generation in developing countries has led to the emergence of a dual system of formal and informal waste collection schemes with unclear effectiveness and efficiency. This study compared the operational effectiveness and efficiency of formal and informal waste collectors in the urban waste management system in Ghana. A case study research design is employed with a focus on households and waste collectors in the Suame Municipality in the Ashanti of Ghana. Data were collected through questionnaire administration and interviews, waste quantification, and field measurements. The findings reveal that 61.5 % of households rely on informal waste collectors, 35 % on formal waste collectors and 3.5 % use indiscriminate dumping. The formal waste collectors were more effective serving 111 households and collecting 11.239 tonnes of waste per trip but utilises 62 % of their collection capacity while the informal sector collects 846.67 kg per trip and uses 106 % of their collection capacity. Formal waste collectors were also more efficient with the use of time. The study unveils an opportunity to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in municipal waste management in low- and middle-income countries with reforms and practices that build upon existing waste management practices and integrate informal waste collectors into formal waste management systems.

Empirical research on decent work and precarious work for semi-skilled and unskilled blue-collar workers: A scoping review

Recognising that many workers worldwide often face poverty and exploitation, the International Labour Organisation aims to promote decent and productive work opportunities for all. We conducted a scoping review to get an overall view of current academic literature on decent work and precarious work for samples of blue-collar workers. The studies included in this review, focused on empirical research conducted from 2006 onwards, that primarily investigated decent work or precarious work among semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers. The review team used a data-charting form and collected information from thirty-five articles. Most recent studies (2020–2023) were related to the experiences and livelihoods of non-traditional blue-collar workers namely platform drivers and informal waste pickers. Before 2020, the most commonly studied theme related to the experiences of migrant workers. The findings shed light on the experiences of these workers, particularly in South Africa and India and provide valuable insight into their work experiences for further discussion.

Understanding the informal waste sector for sustainable waste management using the pressure-state-response framework: a case study in Balikpapan, Indonesia

Understanding the informal waste sector for sustainable waste management using the pressure-state-response framework: a case study in Balikpapan, Indonesia

Waste management practices amongst small businesses in the townships of Gauteng province in South Africa

ABSTRACT This paper investigated waste management practices of small businesses in the selected townships of Gauteng province, South Africa. Surveys were conducted by means of questionnaire-administered interviews and primary data were analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated that most businesses generated wastes in the form of plastics (59–75%), cardboards (31–61%), and food remains (21–37%). Approximately 64–68% of small businesses relied on the municipality for waste collection and disposal. By contrast, 10–20% of businesses gave away their recyclable materials to informal waste reclaimers while only a few were recycling (7–14%) or reusing (6–12%) their wastes, respectively. The survey found a significant association between the formality of businesses and certain types of wastes that they were generating, namely, office paper, glass, metals, food items, and other waste materials. Based on these findings, some recommendations are suggested for improving existing waste management practices and maximising waste reduction efforts in the townships.

Urban food (In)security and the role of migrant informal food waste recyclers in Delhi

Urban food systems in developing countries like India are rife with inequalities that preclude food security for all. In this context, the paper examines the role played by informal workers in the ‘circular economy’ for food in improving the accessibility of food and urban food security in Delhi, India. Evidence from an informal street market close to one of the country's largest urban wholesale markets of food grains, pulses and spices in Delhi reveals rare details of how urban food waste plays a significant role in the livelihood strategies of the city's poor migrants while also contributing to the urban food security of the low-income households. Although there is a growing recognition that the street food sector plays an important role in urban food security, the vital role played by waste collectors, home-based workers and street vendors in restoring discarded food grain, pulses and spices, and bringing them back into the urban food system has been largely invisible. This invisibility extends to the gendered segregation of work in food waste recycling, where our study found that predominantly women undertake labour-intensive and lower paid tasks at the bottom of the hierarchy. The paper provides an overview of the nature of informal livelihood, the contribution of informal workers and challenges and opportunities in the urban circular economy for food. However, their contributions are often overshadowed by health and safety concerns about the reuse of discarded food. Further, an analysis of the current policy landscape in urban India also indicates that informal workers are marginalised in the circular economy for food. While the state owes these informal workers support and protection for their contribution to the ‘Circular economy’ for food and urban food security, any effort to sustain these practices would need to incorporate adequate health and safety procedures.

Waste Management In India With Special Reference To Ahmedabad City

This comprehensive study examines the complex landscape of waste management in India, with a particular focus on Ahmedabad city in Gujarat. The research delves into the current state of waste management practices, the socio-economic conditions of rag pickers, and the emerging trends in eco-friendly packaging. Through extensive literature review, field surveys, and data analysis, this paper provides insights into the challenges and opportunities in India's waste management sector. The study reveals significant gaps in waste collection and processing systems, the precarious living conditions of rag pickers, and the potential for eco-friendly packaging to mitigate waste generation. The findings underscore the need for integrated waste management approaches, improved working conditions for informal waste workers, and widespread adoption of sustainable packaging solutions. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on urban waste management in developing countries and offers policy recommendations for more sustainable and equitable waste management practices.

Effect of the ICT‐enabled reclaimer system on the informal waste recycling system in Cape Town, South Africa: The Regenize model

AbstractThe impact of information and communication technology (ICT)‐enabled waste management systems on municipal solid waste, waste reclaimer integration, and resource recovery is critical, particularly in the informal recycling sector. This study investigates the effects of the ICT‐enabled waste management system in Cape Town, South Africa, with a focus on the Regenize model. Leveraging digital technologies, the Regenize model aims to improve waste picker integration and resource recovery within the local waste management system. A qualitative research methodology involving semi structured interviews with key stakeholders in Cape Town's ICT‐enabled waste reclaimer system, data triangulation, and thematic content analysis was employed to investigate the system's transformative potential. Preliminary findings indicate the Regenize system's alignment with extended producer responsibility (EPR) principles and its embodiment of local entrepreneurial innovation. Waste pickers' active participation as cocreators of waste management mobile platforms has transitioned them from traditional waste collectors to technological contributors, enhancing their role in the waste management ecosystem. Furthermore, the ICT‐enabled waste reclaimer system has significantly regularized the status of foreign waste pickers, providing them with essential rights and access to banking services through mobile platforms. By utilizing Internet and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the Internet of Things (IoT), the Regenize model not only improves resource recovery but also promotes sustainable waste management practices. This represents a substantial step towards inclusive urban waste management in Cape Town. The study's implications extend beyond Cape Town, offering valuable insights for enhancing waste management practices and promoting sustainability across South Africa's broader waste management landscape.

The role of the informal sector in waste sorting, collection, and recycling in Tan An City, Long An

Abstract Despite efforts to adopt at-source waste separation, Tan An city’s solid waste management is under strain due to a lack of infrastructure. The demand of the scrap recycling market has resulted in the forming of a network of informal scrap trading establishments everywhere. Informal garbage workers efficiently collect (pick, buy) scraps from homes, grocery stores, businesses, workplaces, schools, parks, dump sites, and landfills. This boosts waste segregation at the source. Therefore, in Tan An city, most households separate recyclables for sale to informal waste workers. According to survey results, there are approximately 247 informal waste workers in Tan An City engaged in recyclables collection at a daily average rate of 69.66 kilograms per person. Thus, the total quantity of recyclables collected by this sector is approximately 17,260 kg per day, contributing to the daily diversion of 11.4% of waste from landfills. It helps that the annual savings to the city are estimated at VND 2.75 billion for waste collection and transportation and VND 2.47 billion for waste treatment. It also contributes to the creation of jobs, and the reduction of plastic emissions into the ocean because approximately 28.39% of recyclables are plastic waste, and the reduction of approximately 3.076 tons of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere if this amount of waste is transported to a landfill. This study could initiate further research to find a way to introduce modern initiatives that aim to improve working conditions and the environmental impact of the informal sector and include the informal sector into the EPR scheme as their integration is related to social, labor, health, economic, and other issues.

Network power and exclusion of informal waste pickers when plastic flows change: A case study of community waste banks in Klaten Municipality in Indonesia

Countries, like Indonesia, without advanced waste management systems and with higher levels of population and consumption growth, face particular challenges in addressing plastic waste and marine pollution. To address and prevent plastic marine pollution, Indonesia introduced mitigation initiatives, such as Extended Producer Responsibility, waste banks, and take back schemes. While recent research shows such approaches are able to prevent marine litter, research into their social and equity effects is scarce. This is problematic, because mitigation initiatives can have in- and exclusion effects in terms of access to valuable waste for vulnerable, informal waste actors. This article combines the sociology of network and flows with a network power typology to study how the implementation of waste banks in Klaten Municipality, Indonesia not only led to reduction in plastic pollution, but also the exclusion of cartmen, waste pickers and mobile intermediates from waste networks and thus from accessing these valuable waste flows. A waste bank is a community based business that provides households with additional income and turns household waste into economically valuable materials by trading them with recyclers. In doing so they outcompete a vulnerable group like waste pickers. Instead of waste pickers, households become part of the plastic waste networks. In addition to assessing environmental effects of (marine) plastic pollution mitigation initiatives, more scholarly attention should go towards assessing the in- and exclusion dynamics around different plastic mitigation initiatives. The sociology of network and flows is a useful lens through which to examine these in- an exclusion effects.

A Novel Proposal for an Adapted Vehicle for Informal Waste Pickers in Ambato – Ecuador

Solid waste management represents a challenge for contemporary cities because it involves various levels of management and processing. At the base of the recycling pyramid, the crucial role of informal recyclers stands out, whose work improves the environmental conditions of cities. Despite its valuable contribution, informality has marked this profession, with deplorable working conditions at a social and economic level and low occupational safety. Recyclers roam the city in search of as much recyclable material as possible, so they can later sell it and continue the chain. However, the operational process of the recyclers is striking due to the inadequate conditions, in terms of personal protection and mobilization. Traditionally, they move with a cart, a product intended for transporting heavy loads over short distances. However, it is used by waste pickers to travel long distances during the daily working day. Through the methodology of early and continuous validation for product design, a vehicle adapted for the work of informal recyclers in the city of Ambato is proposed. It shows a valuable vision of addressing management in an inclusive, effective way for the city, with adequate working conditions at the operational level for waste pickers.

An Overview of Solid Waste Management Practices in Pune, Maharashtra, India

The growing population and rapid urbanization are significant challenges for Indian cities. Pune City generates nearly 2,258 tonnes of waste per day. Pune’s informal waste sector has demonstrated remarkable efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and self-sustainability. Moreover, it contributes to favorable economic and social outcomes for the city. With the support of the self-help group SWaCH Seva Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit, Pune, the municipal solid waste management model has successfully achieved a remarkable 95 percent segregation rate. Implementing the Pune municipal solid waste management model showcases the active and efficient engagement of informal waste workers in the collection and resource utilization process. This underscores the possibility of favorable economic, social, and environmental results stemming from collaborations between municipalities and waste pickers. This paper looks at the role of SWaCH in line with Pune Municipal Corporation towards the present waste management system. Primarily reliant on labor, this model accomplishes recycling tasks at a notably lower cost compared to conventional mechanized and centralized waste management approaches. It can also accomplish high recycling levels and relatively considerable plastic waste segregation. Promoting the retrieval of valuable materials, especially plastics, for local and global recycling enterprises actively contributes to the advancement of a circular urban waste management approach. The objective of this research is to explore and provide a realistic understanding of Pune’s current status of waste generation, collection, transportation, and disposal. Apart from the SwaCH-PMC model, the paper also focuses on plastic waste recycling, the Red Dot Campaign towards sanitary waste, and household e-waste management in Pune.

Social competition drives collective action to reduce informal waste burning in Uganda

Improving urban air quality is a pressing challenge in the Global South. A key source of air pollution is the informal burning of household waste. Reducing informal burning requires governments to develop formal systems for waste disposal and for residents to adopt new disposal behaviors. Using a randomized experiment, we show that social competitions between pairs of neighborhoods in Nansana municipality, Uganda, galvanized leadership and inspired collective action to reduce informal burning. All 44 neighborhoods in the study received a public health campaign, while 22 treated neighborhoods were paired and competed to reduce waste burning over an 8-mo period. Treated neighborhoods showed a 24 percent reduction (95% CI: 11 to 35 percent) in waste burning relative to control neighborhoods at the end of the competition period. There is no evidence that treated neighborhoods experienced a rebound in waste burning several months after the competitions. Community leaders reported greater effort in coordinating residents and more pride in their neighborhood when assigned to the competition treatment. These results suggest that creating focal points for leadership and collective action can be an effective and low-cost strategy to address policy problems that require broad participation and costly behavior change.

Economic and environmental benefit of informal waste scavenging at landfill sites: A case study at Bukit Gemuk, Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia

Recycling is an important part of the solid waste management system. However, community engagement in this activity remains relatively low. The presence of a group of individuals engaged in collecting recyclable materials at landfill sites has contributed to improving solid waste management performance. This paper aims to identify the background and activities of scavengers in collecting recyclable items at landfills, as well as the environmental impact of the scavenging activity. This study was based on questionnaires distributed to 46 scavengers in the study area. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method was used to assess the environmental impact of using recyclable materials in manufacturing products. The LCA analysis could identify the contribution of recycled materials to the total savings of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrogen dioxide (N20) by using recycled materials in the production of a new product. According to the study, the majority of those involved in the scavenging activity are immigrants from Indonesia and the Philippines. Despite safety and health concerns, their efforts to earn a living through waste scavenging are extremely valuable. Furthermore, the findings show that their contribution to the collection of recyclable materials cannot be denied. It is because the presence of this group is essential in a country where recycling awareness is low. Furthermore, the indirect contribution to the environment is important, particularly in reducing the use of natural materials in producing new materials. As a result, the government must devise a more effective strategy for recycling programs by involving all stakeholders.

Of Practices and (Micro)politics: Challenges of Organic Waste Segregation in Dschang, Cameroon

Waste generation in Sub-Saharan Africa is increasing rapidly. While biodegradable waste remains predominant, it is rarely treated separately by municipal solid waste management systems, thus foregoing the possibility to reduce the volume going to landfills or dumpsites. This paper discusses the unique case of the small city of Dschang, Cameroon, where the municipality operates two central composting plants that treat about 20% of the city’s household and restaurant waste. Using Urban Political Ecology and Social Practice Theory, this article studies waste flows, waste practices, material arrangements, power relations, social norms, institutional dynamics, and policies to identify opportunities and obstacles for organic waste sorting at the level of households and restaurants. Our analysis draws upon qualitative and quantitative data and points to the importance of the availability of multiple waste bins and monetary compensation for organic waste sorting. These factors have also facilitated the development of an informal waste sector, which might use up to 20% of the city’s waste as animal feed and for home/farm composting. However, complex relations between multiple actors and the national policy framework complicate the emergence of organic waste segregation at source as a common practice. In this way, the study shows that solid waste management is also a matter of power and (micro)politics.

Financing mechanism for solid waste management in Anambra, Nigeria: analyses of emerging challenges and implication for circular economy.

Waste management is a critical public service provided by municipalities around the world. It is often problematic, inefficient, and abysmally performed in developing countries. Among the problems associated with waste management in these global locations is the issue of finance. Finance is required for both capital investment and operational costs. Methods of waste management financing differ from place to place due to cultural, political, and socio-economic peculiarities. Understanding these conditionalities is necessary to be able to proffer sustainable solutions. Despite these facts, there is limited comprehensive and relevant academic literature on waste management financing mechanisms in developing countries both in the past and recent times. This work addresses a significant gap in the literature by studying the mechanism for waste management financing in developing countries using Anambra State, Nigeria, as a case study. The current study further investigated the associated challenges and opportunities and made critical discussions on the implications on the circular economy. User fees and subsidies from the government are the major financing sources. The absence of cost-revenue model analysis, economic and institutional volatility, the unwillingness of the service users to pay fees, and lack of transparency are major challenges to the financial sustainability of waste management in the studied context. The creation of incentives for behavioral changes, adoption of neo-liberal policies, and formal integration of informal waste pickers are factors that can minimize the cost of waste management services while promoting a circular economy.

Predicting Community Participation of Waste Separation for Informal Waste Recycling Facility using Binary Logistic Regression Model

Predicting Community Participation of Waste Separation for Informal Waste Recycling Facility using Binary Logistic Regression Model

Challenges and characteristics of the informal waste sector in developing countries: an overview

Challenges and characteristics of the informal waste sector in developing countries: an overview

Informal Sector Solid Waste Management and Community Poverty Reduction in Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Informal Sector Solid Waste Management and Community Poverty Reduction in Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Barriers to Inclusive Recycling in Asunción, Paraguay: A Just Transition?

ABSTRACTHow can cities upgrade urban waste infrastructures while also supporting the livelihoods of the poor? While development experts now agree that informal recyclers should be included in urban waste systems, many cities struggle to implement inclusive reforms. With a case study of informal recycling in Asunción, Paraguay, which compares dumpsite and street recyclers, this article addresses a gap in the literature by focusing on the policies, politics and frameworks that inhibit the implementation of pro‐poor reforms. Proposals to include waste pickers misunderstand key dynamics of informal waste work and locate waste‐picker cultures as the key barrier to successful waste‐picker integration. However, they overlook the historical production of waste‐picker organizing styles and underappreciate the diversity between different groups of informal recyclers. They seek to institute cooperatives, a promising model for segments of highly organized recyclers but one which threatens to exclude a large share of waste pickers who opt to work individually. Successfully integrating informal recyclers into waste management requires significant investments in the sector, meaningfully including waste pickers in proposal design and an epistemic shift to prioritize waste‐picker needs.

Measuring Community Acceptance on Waste Separation in Rural Informal Waste Sector

Indonesia’s waste management target is 100% access to waste service by 2025 comprising 70% waste handling and 30% waste reduction. Target achievement requires support from all stakeholders in waste management including the community as stated in National waste law 18/2008. Community involvement in waste management is accommodated through the informal waste sector, including waste bank national wide. In this study, the community involvement in waste separation and reduction through WB was measured using willingness to accept (WTA). WTA as a tool of contingent valuation method was used using questionnaires containing some dichotomous questions to get the data for the analysis to find out the responses of the community for the responsibility to separate the waste. Questionnaires were distributed among WB’s members as respondents to identify their willingness for waste separation and sale. Previously, WB efficiency was calculated using elasticity index whose variables are income and the active members. The acceptable price for recyclable material sold to WB was assessed afterward. The result shows that out of five WBs, three WBs are efficient, and these three WBs have stable active members generating stable income which is a determinant for WB efficiency. The regression community’s acceptance is 92.5% indicating that most people have a positive response to WB, but they expect a higher selling price for the recyclable waste. Moreover, acceptable prices and sufficient service for WB members are the factors that can stimulate the community to involve in waste separation and sale while supporting the sustainable waste management.