Informal waste pickers are neglected, yet indispensable

The First World Conference of Waste Pickers, held in Colombia in 2008, reached a provisional consensus to adopt the term ‘waste picker’ in English, replacing the derogatory term ‘scavenger’. 

Despite the long-standing role of the informal waste management sector, most countries have yet to formally acknowledge their contributions or integrate them into national policies. From Pemulung in Indonesia and Zabballen in Egypt to Recicladores in Colombia, whatever they are called, they continue to play a vital role across countries and continents.

Scale and impact of informal waste pickers

Estimates suggest that the informal waste management sector employs between 12.5 million and 56 million people worldwide. Given a global population of approximately 8 billion, this accounts for nearly 1 per cent of the population, or around 80 million people.

Waste pickers constitute a significant portion of this workforce, with over 20 million active waste pickers across different regions. Studies have consistently shown that waste pickers make significant contributions to resource recovery, material recycling, cost reduction in municipal waste collection and disposal and the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

In India, the term ‘waste picker’ was first officially introduced in the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The rules define informal waste collectors as individuals, associations or waste traders engaged in sorting, selling and purchasing recyclables.

Waste pickers are described as those informally involved in the collection and recovery of reusable and recyclable solid waste from various sources, including waste generators, streets, bins, material recovery facilities, processing units and disposal sites.

The 2016 rules also mandated that urban development departments of states and Union Territories develop a state policy and solid waste management strategy in consultation with waste pickers and self-help groups (SHG) within one year of notification.

Despite some state-level policies, most Indian cities have not fully implemented these mandates. Many Urban Local Bodies (ULB) have outsourced waste management operations to private companies, limiting access to waste for the informal workforce that traditionally managed it.

While some cities have introduced initiatives, the ongoing debate — whether to allow waste pickers to earn money through the sale of waste or ensure them a minimum wage — presents conflicting perspectives within city administrations.

Indian cities face political and social hurdles in implementing user fees for door-to-door waste collection. Most local governments struggle to enforce such fees, hampering their ability to fund sustainable waste management systems.

However, some models have successfully demonstrated financially viable approaches. Pune’s SWaCH (Solid Waste Collection and Handling) model operates as a waste picker cooperative, where workers collect user fees directly from households, ensuring financial sustainability.

Similarly, Ambikapur’s SAMCLAF (Swachh Ambikapur Mission City Level Federation) model, composed of multiple SHGs, has created a structured waste management ecosystem that generates revenue, provides employment and ensures access to waste for informal workers. These models highlight the potential of community-driven approaches to waste management.

Who gets access?

Waste is increasingly seen as a valuable resource and as cities assert formal ownership over it, waste pickers — despite handling the bulk of resource recovery — face restricted access to materials. In many cases, waste pickers have been forced to pay bribes to access waste, reflecting the ongoing challenges in the debate between formal and informal ownership.

Some cities have taken proactive steps to integrate waste pickers into their waste management systems. Shillong’s integration model allows 120 waste pickers free access to recover recyclables during door-to-door collection, while 75 women waste pickers are permitted to work at the Marten dumpsite.

Additionally, 13 waste aggregators purchase collected materials. Although the city does not provide direct wages, it ensures access to health and social security schemes — offering a unique balance between integration and support.

Other cities have adopted different approaches. In Bhubaneswar, former dumpsite waste pickers have been employed in material recovery facilities and micro composting centres. In Aizawl, waste pickers have access to dumpsites but must pay a fee to local authorities to recover recyclables. In Karad, a contractual arrangement allows the private waste management contractor to employ waste pickers at the request of the ULB, ensuring some degree of formalisation within the system.

The debate over formalisation vs integration

Waste pickers across India collectively advocate for several key measures, including inclusive identification policies, recognition and prioritisation, social security and welfare, job security and improved working conditions and guaranteed access to waste. However, not all of these criteria are met across the various models currently in place.

The debate extends beyond whether formalisation is preferable to integration for a ULB. What is needed is an empathetic approach that recognises the true potential of informal waste workers and their critical contributions to urban waste management. Without comprehensive policies and effective implementation, waste pickers will remain marginalised, despite their essential role in recycling, resource recovery and cost reduction for municipalities.

To ensure a just transition, cities must learn from successful models and adopt strategies tailored to their specific political, socio-economic and environmental contexts.

Recognising this need, Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment is actively compiling and analysing various models of waste picker integration in India. The forthcoming report will highlight differences in waste picker inclusion models and propose a framework for cities to adopt best practices. .

By studying these models and adapting them to local conditions, Indian cities can transition towards a more inclusive and sustainable waste management system, ensuring that waste pickers receive the recognition, rights and resources they rightfully deserve.