The Invisible Struggles: The Contribution and Yet Marginalization of Plastic Waste Pickers

Let’s imagine. You have just finished a refreshing drink from a plastic bottle. As you toss it into the bin, you might think your responsibility ends there. But the reality is that bottle embarks on a trip far beyond your trash can. Your plastic bottle ends somewhere, and it is not always where you would expect it to end up. It might end up in a landfill, cluttering the ocean, or even on a remote beach halfway across the world.

In this article, we delve into the multifaceted impacts of plastic waste, explore the lives and challenges faced by plastic waste pickers, highlight the marginalization of plastic waste pickers, and advocate for sustainable practices that can make a difference.

Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

How often have you heard the saying ‘refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle?’

Growing up in the 21st century, younger generations have risen to the task of aiding in the adaptation and mitigation of climate change through individual actions.

In some ways, the overwhelming occurrence of national disasters has shaped how younger generations interact with the environment and how they have demanded accelerated and more effective climate action from policymakers – especially those living in conditions where the habitat is continuously degraded ^1,2.

The multiple ways in which the youth is committed to helping the environment vary from local to international level.

To illustrate, young adults mobilize to support those affected by natural disasters, hindering the environment and community. In the aftermath of Cyclone Idai, for example, the youth played a fundamental role in advocating for those affected by sharing information online and collecting donations ¹.

In less extreme situations, the youth support local businesses, reduce overconsumption, change dietary patterns, are avid thrift-store consumers, and engage in networks that allow them to voice their opinion on climate debates ^1,2.

Contributing individually and collectively is an honorable way to start tackling environmental issues. However, to achieve meaningful chances, those in power must champion young people’s voices and actions and implement policies that can directly aid in adapting and mitigating climate change ¹.

Did you know that according to data, 438 million tons of plastics are produced every year, making up 85% of total marine waste? Without serious intervention, the estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic that today enters oceans annually could triple in two decades.

Yes! The data paints a dark picture, underscoring the severity of the plastic pollution issue in our oceans and its impact on our shores. Many researchers have discussed the impacts of plastic pollution, alarming how quickly and severely plastic waste could harm not only nature but also our health and communities.

Plastic Waste Impacts on Environment, Socio-Economic and Health

The trajectory of plastic within planet Earth is a major environmental concern. The over-production and over-usage of single-use plastic, such as all sorts of packaging, negatively impact our environment and our lives – economically, socially, and physically.

Not to mention, its effects linger for decades ³. Due to its long decomposition period, plastic remains on the planet for hundreds to thousands of years. Even then, plastic does not stop to exist.

The material slowly decomposes, turning into microplastics found in every corner of the world ³. The accumulation of microplastics can be seen in bodies of water – from beaches to oceans – and can be further located in marine organisms ⁴, agricultural practices, daily water consumption, and food production, which, if inhaled by human beings, may lead to the accumulation of toxins in the human body ⁵. This is concerning, but as emphasized, humans can change this, starting with waste reduction and then waste management.

When we touch upon the socio-economic implications of plastic litter, they are indeed far-reaching and complex. The widespread use of plastic has led to environmental degradation and significant economic consequences.

The cost of managing waste, the loss of potential resources, and decreasing tourism are just a few examples of these economic burdens. According to data released by the United Nations, the annual damage caused by plastics in 2018 was estimated to be at least $6 to $19 billion. This cost comes from the impact on tourism, fisheries, maritime trade, and the beach cleaning program.

When it comes to tourism, untouched beaches, for instance, are a significant draw for tourists worldwide. Tourism is a powerful driver of local economic growth and employment in many developing countries.

Take, for example, a study by Ballance ⁶ in the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Their study illustrates how spotless beaches influence the dynamic within the tourism sector—International and domestic tourists choose beaches because they are clean. This implies that plastic pollution could negatively impact the reputation of beaches, decreasing the number of people visiting them.

As the study shows, the presence of more than ten large pieces of litter per meter on a beach would discourage 40% of international tourists and 60% of local tourists6.

Unraveling The Lives of Plastic Waste Pickers

Collecting plastic waste near water bodies is crucial for recycling efforts. Within this sector, individuals known as “waste pickers” play a significant role, predominantly working informally yet contributing immensely to the collection process.

Although they are often excluded from official statistics ⁷, it is estimated that there are 20 million waste pickers worldwide. They have been on the frontline of reducing plastic waste for decades ⁸, accounting for more than 60% of all recycling worldwide, including plastic materials that, without their intervention, would likely find their way into our oceans ⁹.

Waste pickers’ roles in the municipal waste management system are distinctive. They are often perceived as the ‘experts’ at selecting trash that holds value and thus enhancing the worth of these items by collecting them ¹⁰.

In a broader context, waste pickers contribute to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by lowering the volume of garbage discarded at dumpsites and cutting down transportation expenses ^11,12. Plastic, glass, metal, and paper are the most popular materials that informal waste pickers tend to collect ¹⁰.

Despite their significant contributions, these informal workers often operate in the shadows, receiving little attention or recognition from the government and society.

Thus, these employees frequently experience marginalization, social exclusion ¹³, and negative stigmatization rather than being valued for their roles as environmental stewards ¹⁴.

Depending on their location, the names referred to by these individuals are diverse yet typically attached to negative interpretations.

In the United States, for example, these workers have previously been labeled “mudlarks,” “tinkers,” or “ragpickers.” Now, they are referred to as scavengers, homeless recyclers, or homeless trash pickers ¹⁵.

In addition to the negative connotations associated with these workers, they face further hardships. Their situation is exacerbated in the realm of plastic waste management due to the inherent dangers ¹⁵ and lower income ¹⁶ associated with informal working conditions.

Marginalization and Exploitation of Female Waste Pickers

Women, especially those working in the plastic sector, often face unequal treatment and marginalization, with their contributions undervalued compared to others.

Although women represent a high percentage of waste pickers worldwide, they are not regarded as highly as they should be. This situation arises from factors like low pay, long working hours, lack of social safety nets, minimal to no support systems, and the additional responsibility of balancing income generation with household duties such as childcare ¹⁷.

In Brazil, there are around 3,000 open-air disposal sites with a staggering number of female waste pickers who earn a lower monthly income than their male counterparts. Out of roughly 400,000 waste pickers, around 300,000 women work informally in those dumpsites ¹⁶.

Most of these female waste pickers are single, divorced, or live without partners and have more children.

Because of their harsh working conditions and extensive working hours, these women often experience serious health issues, including chronic diseases such as diabetes, arterial hypertension, respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and tuberculosis, waterborne diseases, and even cancer.

In a day, they work anywhere from 5 to 8 hours solely on waste collection. This does not include the burden of domestic and family responsibilities on top of their waste-picking duties ¹⁶.

Women also comprise much of the waste management sector in many Asian countries such as Vietnam and India ¹⁹.

In Vietnam, around 35-40% of women work as waste collectors and more than 60% work informally ¹⁹. This high percentage is because most of these women work a wide range of jobs with their spouses or other family members, including waste collection.

Men earn more money in the waste collection sector since they primarily work when garbage lands on the dumpsites at night. Similarly, in India, the number is also high.

Almost 90% of street waste pickers are female and mostly come from the lowest caste, which has typically already faced various social discrimination ¹⁹.

The inefficient regulation of plastic management ²⁰ adds to the challenges faced by vulnerable female waste pickers. Most of these workers occupy the lowest position in the waste management hierarchy ¹⁷.

These structural barriers hinder their financial capabilities and restrict their opportunities to take leadership positions, which most of the time place them in unsafe situations where they are more exposed to harassment and violence ¹⁸.

Women, crucial to changing the plastics value chain, are underrepresented in the decision-making process concerned with plastic management.

In the example of Ghana’s plastic waste sector, only 7% of women hold jobs where decisions are made ²¹. This holds back women’s rights as their voices are not heard.

Employers, policymakers, and the government cannot provide appropriate support to improve these women’s lives without knowing their specific struggles. This leads to the vicious cycle of poverty, disempowerment, and health issues.

Therefore, transformative change must occur in the plastic waste management industry, including social changes such as giving women the floor to speak.

Sustainable Practices in Day-to-Day Life

Besides the essential reforms needed within the consumer goods industry, individuals should also reconsider their daily practices to protect the environment and their health, and to contribute to addressing the plastic crisis.

Altering current harmful behavior patterns can directly aid in lessening plastic overconsumption. Avoiding plastics, for example, can be as simple as ditching packaged food and bottled water ²⁴ or avoiding synthetic clothes. Individual change can make a huge difference.

However, the true impact can only be achieved once corporations eliminate single-use plastics on a large scale and replace them with long-term sustainable products.

The weight of the plastic crisis should not fall into the hands of individuals. Instead, it should also fall on the companies responsible for consuming more than 90% of all plastic waste ²⁵  and the policymakers that allow this to continue.

Conclusion

While the volume of information may initially seem overwhelming, here is the encouraging news:  you have the power to change the story. This effort extends beyond individual actions to encompass our collective impact on the planet.

This article elucidates the intricate connections between the waste collection system and various unexpected sectors, shedding light on these often-overlooked relationships. As plastic influences numerous facets of life, its effects on gender, the economy, and human health are equally extensive.

We have provided a foundational understanding of the economic impact caused by the presence of plastic in tourist hot spots. Also, female waste pickers play a crucial role in the management of plastic, yet they are not regarded as highly as they should be.

With such a vast amount of information shared in this article, it can be daunting to process it all. To help streamline your understanding, here is a summary of actionable steps for you to join the movement to fight the plastic crisis:

• N°1 Educate Yourself and Others: Understand the impact of plastic pollution on our environment and health. Share this knowledge with your friends, family, and community. Awareness is the first step towards change.
• N°2 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Follow the 3Rs of waste management. Reduce your consumption of single-use plastics. Reuse items as much as possible, and recycle when you can’t reuse anymore.
• N°3 Participate in Clean-up Drives & collect data!: Join local community clean-up drives, and together, we can make an impact together.
• N°4 Advocate for Policies: Support policies that aim to reduce plastic waste and empower communities. Hold corporations accountable for their environmental impact.
• N°5 Give Support for Inclusion: Advocate for the inclusion of women in all decision-making processes related to plastic waste management and environmental policies.

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Who Are We?

To achieve this, we have developed the Universal Plastic Web 3 Application, which uses the power of AI to collect and analyze data on plastic waste collections conducted by our users worldwide. Our app enables individuals and organizations to share their experiences, learn from one another, and amplify the impact of their efforts through collective action.

Our community of users, known as ‘Ocean Defenders,’ actively participates in cleaning beaches and collecting plastic waste. They have already collected data on removing 7,882 kilos of plastic from our shores. In recognition of their efforts, they earn a fair income, reinforcing our commitment to social equity.

As part of Universal Plastic’s mission, we inspire companies to join us in embracing the blue economy. Businesses can contribute to a cleaner environment by supporting Ocean Defenders. Financial support is channeled to the Ocean Defenders, empowering them in their vital work and connecting with others who share their mission. This approach spreads awareness and fosters a sense of community and collective responsibility.

References

Data

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