Waste Pickers Research Articles

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.

Analysing the Socio-Economic Conditions of Waste Pickers in Uttar Pradesh

Analysing the Socio-Economic Conditions of Waste Pickers in Uttar Pradesh

Waste management and disease spread potential: A case study of SARS-CoV-2 in garbage dumping sites in Bangkok and its vicinity

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, hospitals and households have used personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gloves. Some of these potentially infectious materials were discarded with other household wastes in garbage dumping sites. Thus, this study aimed to detect the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in contaminated wastes, environments, and mammals scavenging around these sites. From September to October 2022, we visited three garbage dumping sites located in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, and Nonthaburi provinces of Thailand. Oral, nasal, rectal swabs, and blood samples were collected from small mammals, stray dogs, and cats. Masks, gloves, soil, and water samples from the sites were additionally collected. Of the 582 samples collected from 238 animals, none tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the virus isolation, real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and neutralizing antibody detection. However, one sample (1.18 %; 1/85) from a rat (Rattus spp.) captured in Nonthaburi was serologically positive in the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The surveillance of coronaviruses in rats is strongly encouraged because rats may harbor different zoonotic pathogens, including unknown potentially zoonotic coronaviruses. Moreover, two face mask samples (4.65 %; 2/43) collected from the dumping site in Nakhon Pathom tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time RT-PCR. To reduce environmental contamination, detecting the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome in contaminated face masks highlights the critical need for proper waste management in households and communities in Thailand. Thus, to minimize exposure and prevent onward transmission, waste management personnel, including garbage dump staff and waste pickers, should be equipped with appropriate PPE and receive regular training on safe handling and disposal.

Sustainability performance indicators: improving waste picker organizations in a Brazilian region

Sustainability performance indicators: improving waste picker organizations in a Brazilian region

The Risks and Safety Practices of Waste Pickers at Selected Dumping Sites in Pretoria, South Africa, During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the accumulation of household waste continued to rise as the number of COVID-19 patients increased. COVID-19 can survive and be transmitted from contaminated surfaces, making waste pickers more vulnerable and at risk of contracting and spreading the virus through contact with infected household waste. The study assessed safety practices and risks related to waste picking during the COVID-19 pandemic at two selected dumping sites in the north of Pretoria. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 81 waste pickers at these landfill sites. Results showed that 100.0% of waste pickers at Site A and 86.7% at Site B collected plastics; 96.7% at Site A and 90.5% at Site B collected bottles; and 100% at Site B and 95.5% at Site A collected metals. The majority, 92.0% at Site A and 90.0% at Site B, were aware of the dangers and risks associated with waste handling if protective gear was not worn. From sites A and B, 97.0% and 90% of the waste pickers respectively had heard of COVID-19, although 51.9% from both sites believed they could not contract COVID-19 while handling waste. Only 18.0% of waste pickers from Site A and 82.0% from Site B faced challenges with purchasing their own PPE. All waste pickers at Site A wore facial masks, whereas 86.0% at Site B did so. Regarding testing for COVID-19, 22.0% from Site A and 19.0% from Site B were tested, with 2.0% from Site A and none (0.0%) from Site B testing positive. It is recommended that all waste pickers be educated about COVID-19 transmission and provided with PPE during the pandemic.

Sustainability Indicators to MSW Treatment Assessment: The Rio de Janeiro Case Study

The Brazilian Policy foresees the waste management hierarchy, according to which energy reuse from waste is preferred to final disposal. However, less than 0.2% of the country’s waste goes to energy production. This paper proposes sustainability indicators to support the decision to choose the best process to treat municipal solid waste (MSW) through bioenergy generation technologies. Then, we conduct a case study for Rio de Janeiro. Incineration and gasification were not economically feasible—despite TRL 9 and 8. However, the projects presented a null net present value by increasing the gate fee to 94.69 and 255.39 USD/ton of MSW, respectively. The social indicators (job creation, salary increase with the absorption of waste pickers, population served, reduction in MSW sent to landfill) did not indicate the best technology. The results of the environmental indicators for incineration and gasification were, respectively, 0.45 and 0.37 t CO2eq/tMSW for GWP, 1.49 and 1.23 MWh/tMSW for energy intensity, 1.24 and 6.14 m3/tMSW for water intensity, 39.3 and 27.9 m2/tMSW for land use and 0.135 and 0.088 t SO2eq/tMSW for acidification. Gasification presented better results on 60% of the environmental indicators. However, incineration scored better in the important ones, water and energy intensities, in addition to the technical–economic aspect.

Do not waste “Pickers”: exploring the intention to join waste picker cooperatives

Do not waste “Pickers”: exploring the intention to join waste picker cooperatives

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.

Economic assessment of municipal solid waste management in midsized metropolitan areas of Brazil

This paper addresses the incipient number of studies regarding municipal solid waste management in Brazil, where the federal law requires the inclusion of waste pickers in waste management and proposes waste diversion targets far from being attained. Therefore, decision-makers can make the best choice economically among alternative technological roadmaps that meet the legal requirements. The proposed alternatives combine biowaste treatments (open composting, closed composting, anaerobic digestion), recycling and final disposal methods (landfill and incineration) for a metropolitan region with two million inhabitants. The results show that incineration can lower the costs for the citizens, and the cost increase is modest if anaerobic digestion is chosen if no profit is intended after 20 years (IRR=0%). However, higher profit (8% and 16% IRR) causes a significant increase in the service fees, which could encourage the use of composting facilities with lower environmental performance. Furthermore, the high waste diversions scenarios have lower service fees than the low diversions counterparts because of the increase in revenue from sales of recyclable materials and employing 5,697 instead of 2,138 pickers to work at sorting facilities, therefore highly recommended.

Blockchain in reverse logistics for solid waste management: a proposal

Despite the claim that blockchain will revolutionize business, existing research so far is limited regarding frameworks that categorize blockchain application potentials and their implications. In particular, the academic literature is not well-defined on how to adopt this technology for reverse logistics management. In response, this article uses a brief review of the scientific literature and the fundamentals of blockchain technology to discuss about the benefits of implementation of this tool in a reverse logistics flow to obtain greater control and security between the actors of the reverse logistics network in all material collected and directed. Five actors were listed: industry, transport, traders, waste picker cooperative, and recycler. Develop and structure a RL management model, making use of blockchain technology, has potential to enable greater transparency of the tailing’s life cycle, increasing the traceability and reliability of the data obtained, and providing lower costs related to the monitoring of disposal.

Waste picking in the age of COVID-19: an environmental justice perspective

All over the world, waste and its disposal are becoming a more prominent issue, as landfills swell up and growing evidence points to its contribution to climate change and environmental degradation. In the developing world, waste pickers sort through solid waste and sell it to vendors, who will recycle the product into something consumable. The work they do is vital to climate change mitigation, as well as urban cleanliness. In a way, waste pickers, especially in India, are vehicles of environmental justice, but they are often discriminated against and subjected to inhumane working conditions. In this environment, the pandemic hit, making waste pickers’ already precarious life even worse. This paper attempts to fill the gap in the academic literature by compiling a systemized literature review of the impacts of COVID-19 on waste-pickers’ lives using an environmental justice perspective. The review also uses a Feminist Political Ecology perspective to illuminate the double jeopardy that female waste pickers face in the era of COVID-19, which academia often ignores. Ultimately, this paper shows that COVID-19 exacerbated the preexisting injustices that the waste picker community face and created an immense burden on women. This paper will show that it is important to notice the differentiation between female and male waste picker challenges, especially at the crux of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper has important policy implications as well as research considerations for both environmental justice and feminist political ecology scholars.

MSW-Net: A hierarchical stacking model for automated municipal solid waste classification

ABSTRACT Efficient solid waste management is crucial for urban health and welfare in the midst of fast industrialization and urbanization. In this changing environment, government authorities have a significant role in addressing and reducing the effects of solid waste. While waste separation at the source simplifies processes, manual sorting is a consequence of ignorance in numerous regions, which endangers the health of waste pickers. This study addresses the challenges by introducing the MSW-Net model, a hierarchical stacking model designed for the automated classification of municipal solid waste (MSW). Customized Convolutional Neural Network (custom CNN) and Bayesian-Optimized MobileNet models serve as the base models, with Gradient Boosting employed as the meta-classifier. The MSW-Net model, as proposed, exhibits exceptional performance, attaining 99%, 95%, and 96.43% accuracy rates over training, validation, and testing, respectively. Additionally, the model achieves precision, recall, and F1 scores of 96.42%, 96.43%, and 96.42% during the testing phase. Therefore, the proposed MSW-Net model performs better than the other existing models in sorting the waste. This could also aid the municipal authorities in classifying the waste with minimal human intervention. Implications: The MSW-Net model, featuring a hierarchical stacking approach with custom CNN and Bayesian-Optimized MobileNet base models, and Gradient Boosting as the meta-classifier, achieves remarkable accuracy in automated municipal solid waste classification. With performance metrics of 99% accuracy in training, 95% in validation, and 96.43% in testing, alongside precision, recall, and F1 scores around 96.42%, the MSW-Net model significantly outperforms existing models. This advancement promises to aid municipal authorities in efficient waste management, reducing reliance on manual sorting and thereby improving the health and safety of waste pickers.

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 mathematical programming model integrating waste pickers in urban area recycling practice

Urbanization has resulted in a significant accumulation of waste in densely populated areas. Effective household waste separation practices within urban areas are crucial for advancing the concept of circular economy. The informal system has contributed remarkably to urban material circulation, but it has not been appropriately valued. Through the partnership among the municipal solid waste authorities, condominium building residents, and waste pickers, the latter can be engaged in the community to assist in household waste separation. This initiative would not only enhance their income and reduce probable occupational risks but also augment the recycling rate in the community. Based on the insights from the current waste picker assignment policy in Taichung City, this study has established a mathematical programming model by considering the overall waste separation volume and proximal distance to the neighborhood, facilitating the assignment of individual waste picker to multiple communities within the neighborhood area. Consequently, concerned waste pickers may increase their income and avoid the constraints of picking up recyclables in high-occupational-risk areas. Additionally, it may reduce the volume of unsorted garbage in the community. According to the findings of case studies, the developed model could obtain an optimal solution or acceptable approximate solution in a short timeframe. In contrast to the outcomes from the existing waste picker assignment policy, the application of the developed model could increase the total volume of sorted recyclables, which was directly proportional to the income of waste pickers, by 2.3–2.6 times.

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.

Waste pickers’ cooperatives: social and environmental impacts in the recycling value chain in Cordoba, Argentina

ABSTRACT In Argentina, waste pickers play an important role in the recovery of recyclable municipal solid waste (MSW). Most of them organise themselves in cooperatives to gain more visibility and overcome their situation of vulnerability. Their activity involves numerous social and environmental impacts that should be considered when assessing the recycling value chain’s performance. With this aim and resorting to the concept of upgrading, this article analyses the impact of waste pickers’ cooperatives in Cordoba and the opportunities for a better social and environmental performance of the chain. We found that waste pickers’ cooperatives have positive and negative social and environmental impacts. Our work makes an empirical contribution to the literature on waste pickers from a Global South perspective, highlighting the need for a more integrative and inclusive framework for MSW management oriented towards the circular economy which formally integrates waste pickers as key actors in urban hygiene.

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.

Role of Rag Pickers in Solid Waste Management

Solid waste generation in India has increased tremendously in the last few decades due to increasing population and rapid economic development. Effective waste management plays an important role in solving the problems of a healthy environment. Although the formula of 3-R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) is important for the safety of the environment, the role of waste pickers has always been central and important. Usually rag pickers earn their livelihood by collecting usable items from garbage dumps. Apart from this, there has been a lot of growth of solid waste in India due to Increasing population, rapid urbanization, insufficient knowledge of new techniques of workers working in waste management systems, and other factors continue to increase waste generation.Recently the Government of India has given a boost to this sector through Swachh Bharat abhiyan and as a result of this, solid waste management market in India is expected to grow CAGR of 7.5% during the period (2021-2026). Present study aims to identify role of rag pickers in solid waste management

The Relationship Between Working Posture and Musculoskeletal Disorders in Waste Pickers at Blondo Landfill

Abstract Background: Blondo landfill serves as a final processing site for waste and also a source of livelihood for scavengers. Scavengers are workers who are at risk of musculoskeletal disoders (MSDs) complaints due to heavy, repetitive physical work and poor work postures due to bending. During waste collection and sorting, waste pickers perform repetitive movements with non-ergonomic postures, away from the ideal body position. Based on data from Puskesmas Bawen, 45% of 73 waste pickers experienced muscle and joint pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between working posture and complaints of musculoskeletal disorders.Methods: This study was an observational analytic research in a cross sectional design. The population in this study were Blondo landfill waste pickers. The subjects were 65 waste pickers who were chosen through purposive sampling technique. Data collection was conducted through interviews using the Nordic Body Map questionnaire, digital camera and REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) sheet. Data analysis were conducted using Spearman rank tests.Results: The results showed that of the 65 waste pickers, the majority were female (53.3%), aged > 35 years (93.8%), had a working period of more than 5 years (61.5%), and normal nutritional status (56.9%). Scavengers who have moderate risk work posture (81.5%) and moderate musculoskeletal disorders (84.6%). There was a positive correlation between working posture and MSDs with a moderate level (ρ=0.593; p=0.0001).Conclusion: Work postures that are formed away from the body's gravity which if done continuously and for a long period of time among waste pickers resulted in musculoskeletal disorders.

Challenges and opportunities for waste picker cooperatives during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative case study of 3 cooperatives in Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Challenges and opportunities for waste picker cooperatives during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative case study of 3 cooperatives in Sao Paulo State, Brazil