Locationsby Cheska Peralta, Communications Analyst, ACE Project
CE Inclusivity: Empowering Informal Waste Workers for a Sustainable Future on International Human Solidarity Day
December 20, 2023
In the pursuit of a gender-responsive circular economy, the integration of the informal waste sector into a city's solid waste management strategies is imperative. Despite their significant contributions to waste segregation and recycling, informal waste workers often grapple with challenges such as a lack of formal recognition, discrimination, hazardous working conditions, low income, and limited support for livelihood opportunities.
Meet Monera, a 55-year-old resident of Cotabato City and a dedicated waste picker for the past five years. She is married and a mother to a 5-year-old daughter. Recently, she actively participated in a focus group discussion (FGD) organized by the UNDP-ACE Project, bringing together informal waste pickers to explore their roles, challenges, needs, and gender-related barriers and opportunities in the context of a city seeking to transition from a linear to a circular economy.
A circular economy is a recycling loop where materials are designed to be reused or repurposed instead of being thrown away. It aims to minimize waste by keeping items in use for as long as possible, promoting practices like recycling, refurbishing, and sharing. Essentially, it is about creating a sustainable system where resources are used efficiently, and waste is reduced through a continuous cycle of reuse and regeneration.
In the FGD sessions, participants emphasized the crucial role they play in waste management. Monera, whose primary income source is waste collection, stressed the importance of waste segregation in her daily routine. For her, proper segregation not only simplifies her work but also significantly contributes to environmental preservation. The FGD sessions gathered four groups of 40 waste pickers from various barangays in Cotabato City. Monera and her fellow waste pickers unanimously identified PET bottles and used cans as the most common waste items they recover daily to sell to junk shops.
Beyond sharing individual experiences, an important objective of the FGD sessions was to assist the city government of Cotabato in gathering views and perspectives from the informal waste sector. This data will serve as a vital foundation for future projects and government planning related to circular economy, as well as gender and development initiatives tailored to the unique needs of waste pickers like Monera.
Some of the important matters raised by waste pickers include the challenges faced by women who also juggle household chores while collecting waste, the health hazards they encounter during trash collection, and other pertinent issues. They also expressed their hopes for the government to provide basic materials for waste collection, enabling them to protect themselves and facilitate their jobs more effectively.
To foster a sustainable and inclusive waste management system, it is crucial to recognize and empower informal waste workers. Monera's story underscores the importance of acknowledging the pivotal role played by waste pickers, not only in waste segregation and recycling, but also in building a more equitable and environmentally conscious society. As we strive for a more circular economy, the goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their role, is included in the journey towards a cleaner and greener future, ensuring that no one is left behind.
As we celebrate the International Human Solidarity Day on 20 December, let Monera's story be a reminder of the collective responsibility we bear in fostering solidarity and inclusivity. By recognizing and supporting informal waste workers, we contribute to a society where everyone plays a part in creating a sustainable future. This International Human Solidarity Day, let us continue to work together building bridges of understanding and cooperation, ensuring that no one is left behind in our pursuit of a cleaner and more just world.
About the ACE Project
The UNDP Accelerating Nationally Determined Contribution through Circular Economy in Cities (ACE) Project aims to support the Philippine Nationally Determined Contribution through enabling and accelerating the country’s transition to circular economy, with demonstration in key cities. By doing so, it will help the country achieve economic, social, and environmental goals, while also grasping the potential for substantial and accelerated reductions in GHG emissions across all sectors, while also supporting recovery from the pandemic. The ACE Project is implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the financial support of the Government of Japan.
Contact Information: Cheska Peralta, Communications Analyst, ma.francesca.peralta@undp.org
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