Household waste and health risks affecting waste pickers and the environment in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

Household waste has evolved into a core urban challenge, with increased quantities of waste being generated and with more complex material compositions, often containing toxic and hazardous elements. Critical systems theory understands cities as urban metabolisms, with different material and energy flows, highlighting the circularity in production, consumption, and discard. Waste pickers in low- and medium-income countries work on dumps and landfills, sifting through highly contaminated household waste and are exposed to health hazards. This paper discusses the risk factors, hazards, and vulnerabilities waste pickers are exposed to during collection and separation of recyclables, based on the review of literature on waste and environmental health and on findings from participatory research with waste pickers conducted in Brazil. We take a social and environmental justice perspective and identify the vulnerabilities and waste-borne hazards of household waste, associated with these workers, their communities, watersheds, and the environment. Household waste, although not always per se toxic or hazardous, can become a hazard if not collected or inadequately managed. Those communities where household waste is not collected or waste collection is insufficient are the most critical places. Informal and organized waste pickers, municipal or private waste collectors/workers, small waste traders and sometimes residents, particularly small children, may be considered vulnerable if exposed to waste-borne hazards. The results include recommendations to address household waste-borne hazards and vulnerabilities, according to waste workers involved in this research.

Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety among Scavengers in Gaza Strip, Palestine

“…e results showed that 61.1% of them received vaccination against viral hepatitis and 66.4% received vaccination against tetanus. Vaccination against infectious disease, including tetanus, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B is a successful protective measure that significantly reduces the risks associated with contaminated materials contact [47]. Limited source-separation practices in the municipal waste stream in Palestine means that certain hazardous fractions such as sharp objects, batteries, and medical wastes exist in the waste stream, increasing the vulnerability to risks and the cases of occupational-related diseases.…”

“…e International Labor organization (ILO) recommendations measures to improve safety of waste pickers which include the use of gloves, safety shoes, tools for waste sorting, and vaccination against tetanus [52]. Limited awareness on potentially risky materials handling together with the limited use of protective equipment makes even household waste hazardous and poses health risks to handlers [47]. e research results showed that more than two-thirds of the waste pickers only sometimes make use of the protective equipment by sharing it; uniforms, masks, hard-covered shoes, and protective gloves, during working hours.…”

Grassroots waste picker organizations addressing the UN sustainable development goals

“…Most waste pickers work under precarious, risky and unhealthy conditions (Binion & Gutberlet, 2012;Gutberlet & Uddin, 2018;Omotoso, 2017). They suffer from stigma attached to informal work and the lack of recognition for the services provided.…”

Waste Pickers at the Heart of the Circular Economy: A Perspective of Inclusive Recycling from the Global South

“…In the previously presented Table 1 we see that waste pickers collect and separate, on average, 2.9 tons of material every month in greater São Paulo and 3.7 tons in the case of greater Buenos Aires, for the CE. The working conditions in many waste picker cooperatives often remain precarious, frequently creating risks and health hazards to waste pickers (Gutberlet & Uddin 2018;Gutberlet et al 2013;Binion and Gutberlet 2012;Gutberlet & Baeder 2008). Few cooperatives are well equipped in terms of infrastructure, have contracts established with local governments or industries, are successful in their governance, and can achieve higher productivity (Dagnino et al 2016).…”