medina waste pickers - world banksiteresources.worldbank.org/.../medinawastepickers.pdfmodern waste...

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Waste Pickers Waste Pickers in Developing Countries:in Developing Countries:

Challenges and OpportunitiesChallenges and Opportunities

Martin MedinaMartin Medina

Recycling in Developing Recycling in Developing CountriesCountries

Relies on the Informal Recovery of Relies on the Informal Recovery of Materials from Waste: ScavengingMaterials from Waste: Scavenging

1% of the Urban Population: up to 15 1% of the Urban Population: up to 15 Million Worldwide, with an Economic Million Worldwide, with an Economic Impact of 100s of MillionsImpact of 100s of Millions

Scavengers Traditionally Poor, Ignored, Scavengers Traditionally Poor, Ignored, Exploited, or RepressedExploited, or Repressed

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ScavengersScavengers

Vulnerable segment of the Population:Vulnerable segment of the Population:

* Recent migrants* Recent migrants

* Unemployed* Unemployed

* Widows* Widows

* Disabled* Disabled

* Elderly* Elderly

* Children* Children


Nearly Universal ActivityNearly Universal ActivityIn Latin America:In Latin America:Argentina Argentina CirujasCirujas, Cartoneros, , Cartoneros,

Recuperadores UrbanosRecuperadores Urbanos

Bolivia Bolivia BuzosBuzos

Brazil Catadores (de Lixo), BadameirosColombia Basuriegos, Gallinazos,

Recicladores

Costa Rica Buzos

Cuba Buzos

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Chile Cachureros, Recolectores

Dominican Rep. Buzos

Ecuador Minadores, Chamberos

Guatemala Guajeros

Mexico Pepenadores

Peru Cutreros, Moscas, Buceadores,

Recuperadores

Uruguay Hurgadores, Clasificadores

AccordingAccording toto ItemsItems / / MaterialsMaterials RecoveredRecovered::PeoplePeople WhoWho RecoverRecover: : Are Are CalledCalled::

AluminumAluminum CansCans BuscabotesBuscabotes, , RecogelatasRecogelatas

BottlesBottles BotellerosBotelleros

CardboardCardboard CartonerosCartonerosJars FrasquerosOld Clothes RopavejerosOld Appliances Cachivacheros, GallerosOld Books LibrerosOld Magazines RevisterosOld Rags TraperosScrap Metal Chatarreros

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According to the Way they Gather andTransport Materials:

People Who Use: Are Called:

SacksSacks CostalerosCostalerosTricycles Tricicleteros

Donkey Carts Donkey Carts BurrerosBurreros

Horse Carts Horse Carts CarretonerosCarretoneros, , ZorrerosZorreros

Pushcarts Pushcarts EsferadosEsferados, , ZorrillosZorrillos

Myths on ScavengersMyths on Scavengers

Myth 1: Myth 1: Informal Recycling is a Recent Activity

Reality: Metals have been recycled for Reality: Metals have been recycled for at least 5,000 years; Glass and Paper for at least 5,000 years; Glass and Paper for CenturiesCenturies

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Myth 2: Myth 2: All Scavengers are Indigent and Extremely Poor

Reality: If not Exploited or Repressed, Creating Microenterprises, PPPs and Cooperatives can Reduce Poverty

In Beijing, Scavengers can Earn More In Beijing, Scavengers can Earn More than College Professorsthan College Professors

Cardboard Collectors on the USCardboard Collectors on the US--Mexico Mexico Border Earn up to 10 Times the Minimum Border Earn up to 10 Times the Minimum WageWage

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Myth 3: Myth 3: Scavenging is a Marginal Activity

Reality: They play a Significant Role in Supplying Raw Materials to Industry: Paper Industry

Exports: Source of Foreign Currency

Reduce Imports

Myth 4: Myth 4: Scavenging is a Disorganized Activity

Reality: Sometimes it is. But Specialization and Division of Labor are Common, as well as Territorial Divisions. Dumps can be Highly Organized

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Myth 5: Myth 5: Scavenging has Minimal Economic Impact

Reality: Several US $ Billions / Year

In Brazil, 90% of the Materials

Recycled by Industry are Recovered by Catadores (30,000 tons / day)

In Buenos Aires, an Economic Impact of US $ 170 Million / Year

Myth 6: Myth 6: Scavenging is a Static Activity

Reality: Highly Dynamic.

Global Factors that Affect Economic Growth, Supply and Demand Affect them.

Economic Crises Very Important

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Myth 7: Myth 7: Scavengers are a Nuisance that must be Eliminated

Reality: Repressive Public Policies only worsen their Working and Living Conditions

Myth 8: Myth 8: Scavenging has no Place in Modern Waste Management Systems

Reality: It Can Play a Role. Scavengers can Provide Low-cost Services, such as Street Sweeping, Waste Collection, Collection of Recyclables, and Composting

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A MODEL OF SCAVENGING

Supply Side Demand Side

Underdevelopment War Economic Structural Different labor costs and crises limitations regulations in developed Globalization of the economy and developing countries

Chronic poverty Acute poverty Heightened International Competition

Scarcity of means to satisfy their needs

Economic and Municipal wastes Industry’s efforts to cut costs, remain competitive and increase profitspopulation growth Waste materials Industrial wastes

Industrial scavenging Artisans Low degree of industrialization

Scavenging for self-consumption Recycling Farmers Scarcity / high prices of artificial fertilizers and animal feed

Typical Flow of Recyclable MaterialsTypical Flow of Recyclable Materials

Industry

Scrap Dealer Scrap Dealer

Middlemen

Individuals

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4,0004,0001,0001,000900900

PesosPesos

(Mexican)(Mexican)

MexicoMexico

5,5005,5003,0003,0001,0001,000

PesosPesos

(Colombian)(Colombian)

ColombiaColombia

1,8001,800900900100100--200200RupeesRupeesIndiaIndia

IndustryIndustryScrap Scrap DealersDealers

CurrencyCurrencyCountryCountry

Sell toSell toSell toSell toMiddlemenMiddlemen

DealersDealersMiddlemenMiddlemenSells toSells to

ScrapScrapScavengerScavenger

Price per ton at which:Price per ton at which:

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What Can Work?What Can Work?

1) Micro1) Micro--enterprisesenterprises

2) Co2) Co--operativesoperatives

3) Public3) Public--Private PartnershipsPrivate Partnerships


Informal Refuse CollectionInformal Refuse Collection

In Mexico City 1,700 Informal Refuse In Mexico City 1,700 Informal Refuse Collectors Earn Up to 7 Times the Collectors Earn Up to 7 Times the Minimum Wage, with an Economic Minimum Wage, with an Economic Impact of Nearly US $ 15 Million a Impact of Nearly US $ 15 Million a YearYear

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Processing and ManufacturingProcessing and Manufacturing

In Cairo, 60,000 In Cairo, 60,000 zabbaleenzabbaleen collect collect waste, recover recyclables and waste, recover recyclables and manufacture products, earning twice manufacture products, earning twice the minimum wage and above the the minimum wage and above the poverty linepoverty line

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LinisLinis GandaGanda Program in Manila Program in Manila employs 1,500 former scavengers who employs 1,500 former scavengers who recover 4,000 tons of recyclables / recover 4,000 tons of recyclables / month, earning US $ 5month, earning US $ 5--20 / day20 / day

LinisLinis GandaGanda Program in ManilaProgram in Manila

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In Colombia, more than 100 Scavenger In Colombia, more than 100 Scavenger CoCo--operatives exist, Recovering over operatives exist, Recovering over 300,000 tons of recyclables / year300,000 tons of recyclables / year

They have a National and Regional They have a National and Regional AssociationsAssociations

Recovery is legal, and they focus on Recovery is legal, and they focus on Source Separation ProgramsSource Separation Programs


In Brazil, Scavengers Recover 90% In Brazil, Scavengers Recover 90% of Materials Recycled by Industry.of Materials Recycled by Industry.They Organized a National They Organized a National Movement, with 500 Cooperatives Movement, with 500 Cooperatives and 60,000 Membersand 60,000 Members

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National Movement of National Movement of CatadoresCatadores

National March in BrasiliaNational March in Brasilia

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““GritoGrito dos dos ExcluidosExcluidos”” in Brazilin Brazil

““GritoGrito dos dos ExcluidosExcluidos”” in Brazilin Brazil

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Educational CampaignEducational Campaign

Meeting with President Lula Meeting with President Lula dada SilvaSilva

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BrazilBrazil’’s s LixoLixo e e CidadaniaCidadania ProgramProgram

Legalized Legalized CatadoresCatadores’’ ActivitiesActivities

Now Legitimate Stakeholders at the Now Legitimate Stakeholders at the

National, State and Local Levels National, State and Local Levels

Now Considered a Professional Now Considered a Professional ActivityActivity

No More Children in Dumps No More Children in Dumps Campaign /Campaign /BolsaBolsa EscolaEscola Program: Program: 40,000 Children now Attend School40,000 Children now Attend School


National Movements in Argentina, National Movements in Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, and UruguayColombia, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay

In process in India and ParaguayIn process in India and Paraguay

Latin American Network Created in Latin American Network Created in 20052005

Worldwide Network to be Created in Worldwide Network to be Created in 20082008

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Housing Units for Housing Units for WastepickersWastepickers in in BogotaBogota

What Type of Policies Can Work?What Type of Policies Can Work?

xx 1) Repression1) Repression

xx 2) Collusion2) Collusion

xx 3) Neglect3) Neglect

√√ 4) Stimulation: Only Supportive 4) Stimulation: Only Supportive Policies Can Unlock the Policies Can Unlock the Development Potential of the Development Potential of the Informal Recycling SectorInformal Recycling Sector

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What Kind of Support?What Kind of Support?

1) Legalization of Recovery Activities1) Legalization of Recovery Activities

2) Support their efforts to get Organized2) Support their efforts to get Organized

3) Consider 3) Consider WastepickerWastepicker Organizations Organizations

as Potential Partnersas Potential Partners

4) Promote their Participation in 4) Promote their Participation in PPPsPPPs

Successful StrategiesSuccessful Strategies

1) Segregation at the Source1) Segregation at the Source

* Tax Breaks for Industry* Tax Breaks for Industry

* Agreements with Large Generators* Agreements with Large Generators

2) Diversification2) Diversification

* Add Value* Add Value

* Provide Services* Provide Services

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3) NGO Support: 3) NGO Support: FundaciFundacióónn Social, SEWASocial, SEWA

* Advocacy* Advocacy* Negotiations * Negotiations * Grants, Loans, Technical Assistance* Grants, Loans, Technical Assistance

4) Industry Support: 4) Industry Support: CEMPRECEMPRE

* Kit for Creating Co* Kit for Creating Co--operativesoperatives* Hotline on Prices of Recyclables* Hotline on Prices of Recyclables


5) Reduction of Child Labor5) Reduction of Child Labor

* Conditional Cash Transfers* Conditional Cash Transfers

* Day Care Centers* Day Care Centers

6) Improve Working and Living 6) Improve Working and Living Conditions Conditions

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Day Care Center in BogotaDay Care Center in Bogota

TrenTren Blanco in Buenos AiresBlanco in Buenos Aires

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Waste Management and Climate Waste Management and Climate Change: OpportunitiesChange: Opportunities

Recycling: Source SeparationRecycling: Source Separation

Diversion of Organic Waste from Diversion of Organic Waste from

Dumps and Landfills:Dumps and Landfills:

* Pig Farms* Pig Farms

* Composting* Composting

RecyclingRecycling

Energy Savings from Recycling:Energy Savings from Recycling:

* Glass 4 * Glass 4 -- 32 %32 %

* Paper 23 * Paper 23 -- 74 %74 %

* Steel 47 * Steel 47 -- 74 %74 %

* Aluminum 90 * Aluminum 90 -- 97 %97 %

Energy SavingsEnergy Savings: Fewer Power Plants, Less : Fewer Power Plants, Less Burning of Fossil Fuels Reduced GHG Burning of Fossil Fuels Reduced GHG EmissionsEmissions

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Pig Farms / CompostingPig Farms / Composting

Benefits:Benefits:* Can Reduce Substantially the Volume * Can Reduce Substantially the Volume

of Wastes for Disposalof Wastes for Disposal* Extends the Life of Disposal Sites* Extends the Life of Disposal Sites* Prevents Pollution at the Disposal * Prevents Pollution at the Disposal

SitesSites* Prevents Generation of Methane * Prevents Generation of Methane

(GHG) Fight Global Warming(GHG) Fight Global Warming

CompostingComposting

Benefits:Benefits:

* Produces a Product Useful in Parks, * Produces a Product Useful in Parks,

Agriculture, and HorticultureAgriculture, and Horticulture

* Can Create Jobs* Can Create Jobs

* Can Reduce Poverty* Can Reduce Poverty

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Pig FarmingPig Farming


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Household CompostingHousehold Composting

Community CompostingCommunity Composting

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Community Composting (1)Community Composting (1)


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Community CompostingCommunity Composting

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Waste Concern, BangladeshWaste Concern, Bangladesh

First Composting Project Using CDMFirst Composting Project Using CDM

Reduction of 90,000 tons of COReduction of 90,000 tons of CO22

equivalent per yearequivalent per year

Will Create 1,000 JobsWill Create 1,000 Jobs


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ConclusionsConclusions

When Scavengers get Organized / Supported:When Scavengers get Organized / Supported:

* Create Jobs* Create Jobs

* Reduce Poverty* Reduce Poverty

* Conserve Natural Resources* Conserve Natural Resources

* Protect the Environment* Protect the Environment

* Improve Industrial Competitiveness* Improve Industrial Competitiveness

* Save Cities Collection, Transportation and * Save Cities Collection, Transportation and

Disposal CostsDisposal Costs

* Extend the Life of Disposal Sites* Extend the Life of Disposal Sites

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ConclusionsConclusions

LowLow--Tech, LowTech, Low--Cost, and LaborCost, and Labor--Intensive Intensive Systems can Render Social, Economic, and Systems can Render Social, Economic, and Environmental BenefitsEnvironmental Benefits

Martin MedinaMartin MedinaContact: Contact:

[email protected]

More in my book:More in my book:

medina waste pickers - world banksiteresources.worldbank.org/.../medinawastepickers.pdfmodern waste...

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