The Story of My Face: How Environmental Stewards Perceive Stigmatization (Re)produced By Discourse

Abstract

Abstract:The story of my face intertwines concepts of social semiotics and discourse analysis to explore how a simple type of printed media (flyer) can generate stigmatization of informal recyclers, known as binners in Western Canada. Every day, media exposes humans to signifiers (e.g., words, photographs, cartoons) that appear to be trivial but influence how we perceive their meaning. Amongst the signifiers frequently found in the media, the word "scavengers", has been used to refer to autonomous recyclers. Specific discourse has the potential to promote and perpetuate discrimination against the individuals who deal with selective collection of recyclables and decrease the value of their work. Their work is valuable because it generates income for recyclers, recovers resources and improves overall environmental health. In this context, the present qualitative study draws on data collected with binners during research conducted in the city of Victoria, in British Columbia. First we analyze a dialogue between binners from a participatory video workshop, to explore their perceptions of the stigma they suffer. Second we use a flyer produced by the local government alerting against scavenging to illustrate how the content (i.e., structural organization [text and images] in which they are embedded work together to mediate stigmatization against recyclers. Third, we analyze videotaped data from a panel discussion with local government, the local community, and binners on inclusive waste management, to uncover different negative perceptions of binners. In our study we look at the official discourse that marginalizes informal recyclers and creates social injustices. We illustrate how the recyclers perceive stigma and suggest that marginalization OPEN ACCESS

A Qualitative Inquiry into Collecting Recyclable Cans and Bottles as a Livelihood Activity at Football Tailgates in the United States

“…Informal recyclers are economic actors as they depend on informal recycling as a source of income as they create opportunities that may not have existed otherwise [14]. However, informal recyclers face marginalization and stigmatization that create obstacles to their livelihood activities [2,21]; in some cases, they experience police harassment as their activities become prohibited by law [3]. These negative experiences have influenced informal recyclers to be drivers for social change [3,14,17] The role of informal recyclers as drivers of social change is evident in the global South [17].…”

“…Such recycling policies in the global North have had an ecological focus, with limited interest in social and economic opportunities for the urban poor [1]. Other scholars [2] maintain that waste has mainly been tackled from an engineering perspective in the global North without an integrated view that addresses social and economic concerns in resource recovery.…”

Geographies of waste: Conceptual vectors from the Global South

“…Waste’s viscerality makes it a particularly compelling point from which to interrogate broader processes of informalization and marginalization. While the marginality of waste pickers is often assumed, writers such as Perez (2016) and Gutberlet and Jayme (2010) have considered how stigma is produced over time through contact with the law, specific spaces of the city, and representational strategies (see too Adama, 2014). Doherty (2016: 9) considers these questions through his engagement with the idea of disposability in the Ugandan wastescape.…”

Witnessing urban change: Insights from informal recyclers in Vancouver, BC

“…Informal recyclers often face stigma and social marginalisation (e.g. Gutberlet et al, 2009; Gutberlet and de Oliveira Jayme, 2010 report on this phenomenon in nearby Victoria, BC). Another indicator of informal recyclers’ social vulnerability is the proliferation of work-related health problems that they report (Wittmer and Parizeau, forthcoming).…”