Delhi’s Waste Pickers - Informal Workers in an Aspiring Global City
Medina Waste Pickers - World Banksiteresources.worldbank.org/.../MedinaWastePickers.pdfModern Waste...
Transcript of Medina Waste Pickers - World Banksiteresources.worldbank.org/.../MedinaWastePickers.pdfModern Waste...
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Waste Pickers Waste Pickers in Developing Countries:in Developing Countries:
Challenges and OpportunitiesChallenges and Opportunities
Martin MedinaMartin Medina
Recycling in Developing Recycling in Developing CountriesCountries
Relies on the Informal Recovery of Relies on the Informal Recovery of Materials from Waste: ScavengingMaterials from Waste: Scavenging
1% of the Urban Population: up to 15 1% of the Urban Population: up to 15 Million Worldwide, with an Economic Million Worldwide, with an Economic Impact of 100s of MillionsImpact of 100s of Millions
Scavengers Traditionally Poor, Ignored, Scavengers Traditionally Poor, Ignored, Exploited, or RepressedExploited, or Repressed
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ScavengersScavengers
Vulnerable segment of the Population:Vulnerable segment of the Population:
* Recent migrants* Recent migrants
* Unemployed* Unemployed
* Widows* Widows
* Disabled* Disabled
* Elderly* Elderly
* Children* Children
ScavengersScavengers
Nearly Universal ActivityNearly Universal ActivityIn Latin America:In Latin America:Argentina Argentina CirujasCirujas, Cartoneros, , Cartoneros,
Recuperadores UrbanosRecuperadores Urbanos
Bolivia Bolivia BuzosBuzos
Brazil Catadores (de Lixo), BadameirosColombia Basuriegos, Gallinazos,
Recicladores
Costa Rica Buzos
Cuba Buzos
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ScavengersScavengers
Chile Cachureros, Recolectores
Dominican Rep. Buzos
Ecuador Minadores, Chamberos
Guatemala Guajeros
Mexico Pepenadores
Peru Cutreros, Moscas, Buceadores,
Recuperadores
Uruguay Hurgadores, Clasificadores
AccordingAccording toto ItemsItems / / MaterialsMaterials RecoveredRecovered::PeoplePeople WhoWho RecoverRecover: : Are Are CalledCalled::
AluminumAluminum CansCans BuscabotesBuscabotes, , RecogelatasRecogelatas
BottlesBottles BotellerosBotelleros
CardboardCardboard CartonerosCartonerosJars FrasquerosOld Clothes RopavejerosOld Appliances Cachivacheros, GallerosOld Books LibrerosOld Magazines RevisterosOld Rags TraperosScrap Metal Chatarreros
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According to the Way they Gather andTransport Materials:
People Who Use: Are Called:
SacksSacks CostalerosCostalerosTricycles Tricicleteros
Donkey Carts Donkey Carts BurrerosBurreros
Horse Carts Horse Carts CarretonerosCarretoneros, , ZorrerosZorreros
Pushcarts Pushcarts EsferadosEsferados, , ZorrillosZorrillos
Myths on ScavengersMyths on Scavengers
Myth 1: Myth 1: Informal Recycling is a Recent Activity
Reality: Metals have been recycled for Reality: Metals have been recycled for at least 5,000 years; Glass and Paper for at least 5,000 years; Glass and Paper for CenturiesCenturies
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Myth 2: Myth 2: All Scavengers are Indigent and Extremely Poor
Reality: If not Exploited or Repressed, Creating Microenterprises, PPPs and Cooperatives can Reduce Poverty
In Beijing, Scavengers can Earn More In Beijing, Scavengers can Earn More than College Professorsthan College Professors
Cardboard Collectors on the USCardboard Collectors on the US--Mexico Mexico Border Earn up to 10 Times the Minimum Border Earn up to 10 Times the Minimum WageWage
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Myth 3: Myth 3: Scavenging is a Marginal Activity
Reality: They play a Significant Role in Supplying Raw Materials to Industry: Paper Industry
Exports: Source of Foreign Currency
Reduce Imports
Myth 4: Myth 4: Scavenging is a Disorganized Activity
Reality: Sometimes it is. But Specialization and Division of Labor are Common, as well as Territorial Divisions. Dumps can be Highly Organized
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Myth 5: Myth 5: Scavenging has Minimal Economic Impact
Reality: Several US $ Billions / Year
In Brazil, 90% of the Materials
Recycled by Industry are Recovered by Catadores (30,000 tons / day)
In Buenos Aires, an Economic Impact of US $ 170 Million / Year
Myth 6: Myth 6: Scavenging is a Static Activity
Reality: Highly Dynamic.
Global Factors that Affect Economic Growth, Supply and Demand Affect them.
Economic Crises Very Important
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Myth 7: Myth 7: Scavengers are a Nuisance that must be Eliminated
Reality: Repressive Public Policies only worsen their Working and Living Conditions
Myth 8: Myth 8: Scavenging has no Place in Modern Waste Management Systems
Reality: It Can Play a Role. Scavengers can Provide Low-cost Services, such as Street Sweeping, Waste Collection, Collection of Recyclables, and Composting
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A MODEL OF SCAVENGING
Supply Side Demand Side
Underdevelopment War Economic Structural Different labor costs and crises limitations regulations in developed Globalization of the economy and developing countries
Chronic poverty Acute poverty Heightened International Competition
Scarcity of means to satisfy their needs
Economic and Municipal wastes Industry’s efforts to cut costs, remain competitive and increase profitspopulation growth Waste materials Industrial wastes
Industrial scavenging Artisans Low degree of industrialization
Scavenging for self-consumption Recycling Farmers Scarcity / high prices of artificial fertilizers and animal feed
Typical Flow of Recyclable MaterialsTypical Flow of Recyclable Materials
Industry
Scrap Dealer Scrap Dealer
Middlemen
Individuals
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4,0004,0001,0001,000900900
PesosPesos
(Mexican)(Mexican)
MexicoMexico
5,5005,5003,0003,0001,0001,000
PesosPesos
(Colombian)(Colombian)
ColombiaColombia
1,8001,800900900100100--200200RupeesRupeesIndiaIndia
IndustryIndustryScrap Scrap DealersDealers
CurrencyCurrencyCountryCountry
Sell toSell toSell toSell toMiddlemenMiddlemen
DealersDealersMiddlemenMiddlemenSells toSells to
ScrapScrapScavengerScavenger
Price per ton at which:Price per ton at which:
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What Can Work?What Can Work?
1) Micro1) Micro--enterprisesenterprises
2) Co2) Co--operativesoperatives
3) Public3) Public--Private PartnershipsPrivate Partnerships
1) Micro1) Micro--enterprisesenterprises
Informal Refuse CollectionInformal Refuse Collection
In Mexico City 1,700 Informal Refuse In Mexico City 1,700 Informal Refuse Collectors Earn Up to 7 Times the Collectors Earn Up to 7 Times the Minimum Wage, with an Economic Minimum Wage, with an Economic Impact of Nearly US $ 15 Million a Impact of Nearly US $ 15 Million a YearYear
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1) Micro1) Micro--enterprisesenterprises
Processing and ManufacturingProcessing and Manufacturing
In Cairo, 60,000 In Cairo, 60,000 zabbaleenzabbaleen collect collect waste, recover recyclables and waste, recover recyclables and manufacture products, earning twice manufacture products, earning twice the minimum wage and above the the minimum wage and above the poverty linepoverty line
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2) Co2) Co--operativesoperatives
LinisLinis GandaGanda Program in Manila Program in Manila employs 1,500 former scavengers who employs 1,500 former scavengers who recover 4,000 tons of recyclables / recover 4,000 tons of recyclables / month, earning US $ 5month, earning US $ 5--20 / day20 / day
LinisLinis GandaGanda Program in ManilaProgram in Manila
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2) Co2) Co--operativesoperatives
In Colombia, more than 100 Scavenger In Colombia, more than 100 Scavenger CoCo--operatives exist, Recovering over operatives exist, Recovering over 300,000 tons of recyclables / year300,000 tons of recyclables / year
They have a National and Regional They have a National and Regional AssociationsAssociations
Recovery is legal, and they focus on Recovery is legal, and they focus on Source Separation ProgramsSource Separation Programs
2) Co2) Co--operativesoperatives
In Brazil, Scavengers Recover 90% In Brazil, Scavengers Recover 90% of Materials Recycled by Industry.of Materials Recycled by Industry.They Organized a National They Organized a National Movement, with 500 Cooperatives Movement, with 500 Cooperatives and 60,000 Membersand 60,000 Members
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National Movement of National Movement of CatadoresCatadores
National March in BrasiliaNational March in Brasilia
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““GritoGrito dos dos ExcluidosExcluidos”” in Brazilin Brazil
““GritoGrito dos dos ExcluidosExcluidos”” in Brazilin Brazil
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Educational CampaignEducational Campaign
Meeting with President Lula Meeting with President Lula dada SilvaSilva
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BrazilBrazil’’s s LixoLixo e e CidadaniaCidadania ProgramProgram
Legalized Legalized CatadoresCatadores’’ ActivitiesActivities
Now Legitimate Stakeholders at the Now Legitimate Stakeholders at the
National, State and Local Levels National, State and Local Levels
Now Considered a Professional Now Considered a Professional ActivityActivity
No More Children in Dumps No More Children in Dumps Campaign /Campaign /BolsaBolsa EscolaEscola Program: Program: 40,000 Children now Attend School40,000 Children now Attend School
2) Co2) Co--operativesoperatives
National Movements in Argentina, National Movements in Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, and UruguayColombia, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay
In process in India and ParaguayIn process in India and Paraguay
Latin American Network Created in Latin American Network Created in 20052005
Worldwide Network to be Created in Worldwide Network to be Created in 20082008
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3) Public3) Public--Private PartnershipsPrivate Partnerships
3) Public3) Public--Private PartnershipsPrivate Partnerships
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Housing Units for Housing Units for WastepickersWastepickers in in BogotaBogota
What Type of Policies Can Work?What Type of Policies Can Work?
xx 1) Repression1) Repression
xx 2) Collusion2) Collusion
xx 3) Neglect3) Neglect
√√ 4) Stimulation: Only Supportive 4) Stimulation: Only Supportive Policies Can Unlock the Policies Can Unlock the Development Potential of the Development Potential of the Informal Recycling SectorInformal Recycling Sector
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What Kind of Support?What Kind of Support?
1) Legalization of Recovery Activities1) Legalization of Recovery Activities
2) Support their efforts to get Organized2) Support their efforts to get Organized
3) Consider 3) Consider WastepickerWastepicker Organizations Organizations
as Potential Partnersas Potential Partners
4) Promote their Participation in 4) Promote their Participation in PPPsPPPs
Successful StrategiesSuccessful Strategies
1) Segregation at the Source1) Segregation at the Source
* Tax Breaks for Industry* Tax Breaks for Industry
* Agreements with Large Generators* Agreements with Large Generators
2) Diversification2) Diversification
* Add Value* Add Value
* Provide Services* Provide Services
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Successful StrategiesSuccessful Strategies
3) NGO Support: 3) NGO Support: FundaciFundacióónn Social, SEWASocial, SEWA
* Advocacy* Advocacy* Negotiations * Negotiations * Grants, Loans, Technical Assistance* Grants, Loans, Technical Assistance
4) Industry Support: 4) Industry Support: CEMPRECEMPRE
* Kit for Creating Co* Kit for Creating Co--operativesoperatives* Hotline on Prices of Recyclables* Hotline on Prices of Recyclables
Successful StrategiesSuccessful Strategies
5) Reduction of Child Labor5) Reduction of Child Labor
* Conditional Cash Transfers* Conditional Cash Transfers
* Day Care Centers* Day Care Centers
6) Improve Working and Living 6) Improve Working and Living Conditions Conditions
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Day Care Center in BogotaDay Care Center in Bogota
TrenTren Blanco in Buenos AiresBlanco in Buenos Aires
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Waste Management and Climate Waste Management and Climate Change: OpportunitiesChange: Opportunities
Recycling: Source SeparationRecycling: Source Separation
Diversion of Organic Waste from Diversion of Organic Waste from
Dumps and Landfills:Dumps and Landfills:
* Pig Farms* Pig Farms
* Composting* Composting
RecyclingRecycling
Energy Savings from Recycling:Energy Savings from Recycling:
* Glass 4 * Glass 4 -- 32 %32 %
* Paper 23 * Paper 23 -- 74 %74 %
* Steel 47 * Steel 47 -- 74 %74 %
* Aluminum 90 * Aluminum 90 -- 97 %97 %
Energy SavingsEnergy Savings: Fewer Power Plants, Less : Fewer Power Plants, Less Burning of Fossil Fuels Reduced GHG Burning of Fossil Fuels Reduced GHG EmissionsEmissions
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Pig Farms / CompostingPig Farms / Composting
Benefits:Benefits:* Can Reduce Substantially the Volume * Can Reduce Substantially the Volume
of Wastes for Disposalof Wastes for Disposal* Extends the Life of Disposal Sites* Extends the Life of Disposal Sites* Prevents Pollution at the Disposal * Prevents Pollution at the Disposal
SitesSites* Prevents Generation of Methane * Prevents Generation of Methane
(GHG) Fight Global Warming(GHG) Fight Global Warming
CompostingComposting
Benefits:Benefits:
* Produces a Product Useful in Parks, * Produces a Product Useful in Parks,
Agriculture, and HorticultureAgriculture, and Horticulture
* Can Create Jobs* Can Create Jobs
* Can Reduce Poverty* Can Reduce Poverty
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Community Composting (1)Community Composting (1)
Community Composting (2)Community Composting (2)
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Waste Concern, BangladeshWaste Concern, Bangladesh
First Composting Project Using CDMFirst Composting Project Using CDM
Reduction of 90,000 tons of COReduction of 90,000 tons of CO22
equivalent per yearequivalent per year
Will Create 1,000 JobsWill Create 1,000 Jobs
Waste Concern, BangladeshWaste Concern, Bangladesh
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Waste Concern, BangladeshWaste Concern, Bangladesh
ConclusionsConclusions
When Scavengers get Organized / Supported:When Scavengers get Organized / Supported:
* Create Jobs* Create Jobs
* Reduce Poverty* Reduce Poverty
* Conserve Natural Resources* Conserve Natural Resources
* Protect the Environment* Protect the Environment
* Improve Industrial Competitiveness* Improve Industrial Competitiveness
* Save Cities Collection, Transportation and * Save Cities Collection, Transportation and
Disposal CostsDisposal Costs
* Extend the Life of Disposal Sites* Extend the Life of Disposal Sites
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ConclusionsConclusions
LowLow--Tech, LowTech, Low--Cost, and LaborCost, and Labor--Intensive Intensive Systems can Render Social, Economic, and Systems can Render Social, Economic, and Environmental BenefitsEnvironmental Benefits
Martin MedinaMartin MedinaContact: Contact:
More in my book:More in my book: