Thousands of people all over the UK took part in the Big Plastic Count, to help show our leaders the extent of our plastic waste problem.
And all year round, over the world, waste pickers are collecting, sorting and recycling plastic and many other types of rubbish.
Here’s why their work is so valuable – and how the Global Plastics Treaty should support them.
Who are waste pickers?
Waste pickers are informal workers who collect, sort and sell materials for recycling or reuse.
The International Alliance of Waste Pickers and Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) estimates that more than 20 million people around the world earn an income in this way. The vast majority of waste pickers are people of colour in the Global South.
Waste pickers collect materials such as plastic, glass, paper and electronic waste from households, streets and dumpsites. Their contribution to recycling and reuse, and reduction in pollution, is immense. In fact, about 60 per cent of all plastic recycled globally is collected by waste pickers. They are the backbone of the world’s recycling systems.
The work that waste pickers do also has a huge impact on protecting the environment, and improving public health and local economies. Because of their work, less rubbish is left dumped or burnt on roadsides or landfills, and less plastic waste makes its way into waterways or oceans.
Less pollution is better for public health – as unmanaged waste increases the risk of heart disease, cancer and respiratory infection. According to the No Time to Waste report, this results in the deaths of up to one million people in the Global South each year. Plus, more rubbish being collected means more recycling – boosting green jobs.
What challenges do waste pickers face?
Despite the crucial role waste pickers play in tackling the plastic pollution crisis, and their extensive experience and knowledge of waste collection and recycling, waste pickers’ work often goes unrecognised.
Their human rights and livelihoods are not sufficiently protected by governments, or respected by businesses.
Waste pickers often do not receive a living wage, and endure poor working conditions. Many waste pickers face discrimination, harassment and exclusion from decision-making processes which affect their lives and livelihoods.
How can the Global Plastics Treaty help waste pickers?
The Global Plastics Treaty is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help people living in poverty by reducing global plastics production, increasing access to waste collection and recycling, and delivering a just transition for waste pickers.
This means ending plastic pollution in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible, through creating suitable work opportunities and leaving no one behind.
In 2022, the 175 countries in the United Nations agreed that we need a Treaty to end plastic pollution.
There are many moving parts in Treaty negotiations, so agreements sometimes get watered down and aren’t as effective as they could be.
The International Alliance of Waste Pickers is a union of waste picker organisations representing more than 460,000 workers across 34 countries. At each round of the plastics treaty talks, a group of waste pickers are there representing the Alliance.
They’re playing an active role in the treaty process, seeking recognition for waste pickers’ historical and ongoing contributions, as well as protection of their rights, fair compensation for their work, direct involvement in law-making relating to plastic waste, and a just transition to new systems.
Madi Koena, a waste picker from South Africa and delegate to the treaty negotiations on behalf of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers, highlights how critical this opportunity is:
‘It’s vitally important that waste pickers are part of the treaty policymaking process and that our voices are heard.
‘As a mother and grandmother I began waste picking and selling recyclables to ensure we had meals on our table […] A strong treaty must provide and guarantee better and decent work, social protection, more training opportunities and greater job security for workers.’
To find out more about waste pickers and the crucial role they play, visit the International Alliance of Waste Pickers.
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This is a guest blog from Tearfund. Views contained in guest blogs aren’t necessarily those of Greenpeace.