Social work and food security: Case study on the nutritional capabilities of the landfill waste pickers in South Africa

Abstract

Food security (or the lack of it) has a direct impact on people's well-being and is of great concern to many disciplines. The study on which the article is based used Drèze and Sen's 'nutritional capability' concept as a theoretical framework to explain the food (in)security of landfill waste pickers. A cross-sectional research approach was followed, coupled with a triangulation mixed method research design. Viewing the waste pickers against the nutritional capability framework highlighted the important role that social work should play in focusing on people's capabilities within their particular context.

Exploring the Potential Health Risks Faced by Waste Pickers on Landfills in South Africa: A Socio-Ecological Perspective

“…In this and other studies, waste pickers acknowledged that they ate from the dump [1,7,20]. The biological risks mentioned in the current study are listed in Table 9, with illustrations in Figure 6A,B.…”

“…Educational qualifications and literacy levels are regarded as important for the healthy functioning of individuals [7,36,37].…”

“…Given the valuable role played by informal waste pickers in the recycling industry and the broader waste economy [7], the time has come to take steps to at least reduce the health risks that they face and to enhance their dignity and well-being, starting with providing them with access to basic amenities. Gutberlet and Uddin (2017), Cointreau (2006) and UNEP (2013) recommend that a comprehensive health plan be developed for informal waste pickers, which would include mapping and addressing the possible risks that they face on the streets and landfills [1,15,16].…”

“…In the South African context, street and landfill waste pickers divert 90% of the 10% of waste that is recycled away from the country’s landfills [5]. Waste pickers also divert non-recyclable but re-usable goods, such as bricks, wood, furniture, household goods and food [6,7,8] away from the landfills. Despite the contribution from the waste pickers, 90% of waste is still dumped on the 876 landfills that are spread across South Africa [9].…”

Promoting community and environmental sustainability

“…Schenck, Blaauw, Viljoen et al (2017) examine community work methods in the very different South African community of informal waste pickers. Research shows that ‘official waste management systems cannot survive without the myriad waste pickers, even though they do not receive any formal support’.…”