Informal sector and waste picking
The ISWM approach considers all the actors involved in waste management activities in a city. The informal sector and especially waste pickers or “scavengers” are a group that is very active in waste management but is rarely officially recognised as contributing to that system. Their activities vary from providing informal street sweeping and/or household waste collection services, to recovering recyclable materials from different points in the waste trajectory from households to the final disposal site. Acknowledging the work of this group when planning and implementing waste management improvements is desirable. This group’s experience can assist in solving waste problems and by incorporating the group in the waste management system it is possible to help them increase their income generating possibilities and improve their working conditions.
Under this heading you can find information on:
- Informal Sector
- Waste pickers or “scavengers”
- Child Labour in Informal Sector Activities
- Occupational Health, Privatisation and the Informal Sector
- Useful Publications
- Other Related Links
