Why is it in the News?

1st March is celebrated as International Waste Pickers Day in memory of the massacre in Colombia in which 11 workers were brutally killed at the University of Barranquilla.

Context:

• 1st March is celebrated as International Waste Pickers Day in memory of the massacre in Colombia in which 11 workers were brutally killed at the University of Barranquilla.
• While these individuals play vital roles in waste management, they endure systematic marginalization, health risks, and a lack of legal safeguards.
• Hence, delving into the often unnoticed realm of informal waste pickers in India becomes imperative to grasp their indispensable yet overlooked contributions to waste management systems.

What is the Informal Sector in Waste Management?

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines the informal sector in waste management as ‘individuals or small and micro-enterprises that intervene in waste management without being registered and without being formally charged with providing waste management services’.
• These workers are the primary collectors of recyclable waste, playing a critical role in waste management and resource efficiency by collecting, sorting, trading, and sometimes even reinserting discarded waste back into the economy.
• Yet, they face systemic marginalization due to non-recognition, non-representation, and exclusion from social security schemes and legal protection frameworks.

What Does the Data Reveal?

• Although precise figures on informal waste pickers are elusive, the Centre for Science and Environment suggests that approximately 5%–2% of the urban population worldwide is involved in the informal waste economy.
• A significant portion comprises vulnerable demographics such as women, children, and the elderly, many of whom are disabled, residing within the most impoverished urban communities. Tragically, they frequently endure instances of violence and sexual harassment.
• According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2017-18, India's urban workforce includes nearly 1.5 million waste pickers, with approximately half a million being women.

What are the Challenges Faced by Informal Waste Pickers?

• Systemic Marginalization: Informal waste pickers, predominantly consisting of women, children, and the elderly, face profound marginalization within the waste management ecosystem.
  • According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2017-18, India's urban workforce includes nearly 1.5 million waste pickers, with half being women.
  • Engaging in hazardous work, these individuals collect an average of 60 kg to 90 kg of waste daily without adequate safety measures.
  • Their marginalized position within the caste hierarchy exacerbates their vulnerability, leading to health issues such as dermatological and respiratory problems, as well as frequent injuries.
• Economic Instability: Irregular employment, low wages, and susceptibility to exploitation contribute to a cycle of poverty that is challenging to break.
  • The 2023 report from the Alliance of Indian Waste Pickers (AIW) underscores the impact of private sector involvement in municipal solid waste management.
  • With the adoption of expensive machinery and competitive rates offered to waste generators, private entities marginalize informal pickers, forcing them into hazardous waste collection activities such as scavenging in dump sites.
  • This not only heightens health risks but also undermines their income and social standing.
• Lack of Recognition and Representation: The invisibility of informal waste pickers within policy and legal frameworks exacerbates their plight.
  • Despite playing a vital role in waste management systems, they are often overlooked in decision-making processes.
  • Their contributions are not acknowledged, and they lack representation in discussions regarding waste management policies, leaving them without legal protections, social security, and a voice in shaping the systems they contribute to.
• Exclusion from Formal Waste Management Systems: The involvement of private entities in municipal solid waste management, while introducing technological advancements, further isolates informal waste pickers.
  • Dump sites are frequently restricted, limiting their access and pushing them into greater vulnerability.
  • As highlighted by the AIW, the privatization of waste management sidelines informal pickers, posing threats to their health, income, and overall well-being.
  • This exclusionary approach deepens the gap between formal and informal waste management sectors.

What is the Significance of Informal Waste Pickers in Plastic Management?

• Global Impact: Waste pickers play a pivotal role in plastic waste management worldwide, responsible for collecting and recovering up to 60% of all plastic waste, as emphasized in the 2022 World Economic Forum report.
• Underrecognized Contribution: Despite their vital role in sustainable recycling efforts, waste pickers' contributions often go unacknowledged, and they struggle to secure adequate livelihoods.
• Quantifiable Contribution: Reports from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Pew indicate that informal waste pickers gathered 27 million metric tonnes of plastic waste in 2016 alone, constituting 59% of all plastic material collected for recycling. This significant effort prevents plastic from ending up in landfills or oceans.
• Relevance in India: With increasing per capita plastic waste generation in India, the role of waste pickers becomes even more crucial. India is among the top 12 countries responsible for 52% of the world's mismanaged waste, according to a recent CPCB report.
• Utilizing Traditional Knowledge: Waste pickers possess valuable traditional knowledge about waste handling, which could greatly enhance the effectiveness of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems if incorporated effectively.
• Rethinking EPR Frameworks: Given their substantial contribution, it is imperative to reassess the formulation of EPR norms to ensure the inclusion and empowerment of millions of informal waste pickers within the new legal framework.

What is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?

• EPR presents a hopeful framework by shifting the burden of waste management from municipal bodies to commercial waste producers.
• It marks a departure from conventional "end-of-the-pipe" waste management strategies, incentivizing producers to embrace environmentally friendly practices, minimize waste production, and engage in recycling initiatives.
• In principle, EPR can promote social inclusivity by recognizing the contributions of informal waste pickers and grassroots stakeholders.

Challenges and Considerations Regarding EPR with Informal Waste Pickers:

• Implementation Challenges: Despite its positive aims, the practical application of EPR has raised concerns about its impact on the informal waste sector.
  • Globalizing and Organizing Women in Informal Employment (WIEGO) notes that EPR guidelines often redirect waste away from the informal sector, jeopardizing the livelihoods of informal waste pickers and potentially leading to widespread displacement.
  • The aspiration for social inclusion through EPR faces a harsh reality, where the informal sector, vital to waste management, risks marginalization.
• Neglect of Informal Waste Pickers: The Alliance of Indian Waste Pickers (AIW) has observed a significant oversight in both the formulation and execution of EPR guidelines in India.
  • While stakeholders identified in the guidelines include various entities such as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), producers, brand owners, industry associations, civil society organizations, and citizens, there is a glaring absence of specific inclusion of informal waste pickers or their representative organizations.
  • This omission contradicts the principles of social justice and sustainability that EPR aims to uphold.
• Conflict Between Solid Waste Management Rules and EPR Guidelines: A conflict arises between the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016 and the EPR Guidelines of 2022, exacerbating the challenges faced by informal waste pickers.
  • While the former mandates the involvement of waste pickers in municipal solid waste management systems, the latter fails to prioritize their participation.
  • This discrepancy highlights the necessity for a cohesive and integrated approach to waste management policies, wherein the rights and contributions of informal waste pickers are duly recognized and safeguarded.

Way Ahead:

• Revisiting EPR Policies: To realize the potential of EPR in achieving sustainable waste management and social equity, a reevaluation of its policies is essential.
  • Acknowledging the traditional knowledge held by waste pickers and involving them in decision-making processes can augment the efficacy of EPR frameworks.
  • Furthermore, stakeholders, including producers and policymakers, should actively collaborate with informal waste pickers and their representative bodies to facilitate a fair and equitable transition.
• Plastic Treaty and Equitable Transition: On a global scale, waste pickers play a significant role in sustainable recycling, collecting, and recovering up to 60% of all plastic waste.
  • Despite their invaluable contributions, their labour is often undervalued, and they struggle to sustain themselves financially.
  • As the global community prepares for the imminent Plastic Treaty aimed at addressing plastic pollution, it is imperative to ensure a just transition for these workers.
  • This entails recognizing their contributions and safeguarding their livelihoods, thereby fostering a more inclusive and equitable approach to plastic management.

Conclusion

As India grapples with escalating plastic waste generation, the imperative of integrating informal waste pickers into waste management frameworks becomes ever more pronounced.

Given the valuable traditional knowledge held by these workers, there is a clear opportunity to bolster the effectiveness of EPR systems through a reevaluation of EPR norms and the active engagement of millions of informal waste pickers within a legal framework. It is essential for international collaboration and local endeavours to intersect, prioritizing the recognition, protection, and empowerment of these often overlooked workers. This convergence holds the potential to foster a more inclusive and robust waste management ecosystem.