Waste Picker Cooperatives in Developing Countries

The informal recovery of materials from waste represents an important survival strategy for disadvantaged populations throughout the developing world. Waste pickers are perceived as the poorest of the poor and marginal to mainstream economy and society. In many cases, they are subject to exploitation and discrimination by middlemen and by local and ederal government policies. This paper argues that, when scavenging is supported – ending that exploitation and discrimination– it represents a perfect illustration of sustainable development that can be achieved in the Third World: jobs are created, poverty is reduced, raw material costs for industry are lowered (while improving competitiveness), resources are conserved, pollution is reduced, and the environment is protected. The paper also proposes a typology of public policies toward waste pickers and analyzes recent experience on the formation of waste picker cooperatives. It also examines the use of appropriate waste management technology, and suggests ways in which waste pickers could be incorporated into formal waste management programs.