Household waste and health risks affecting waste pickers and the environment in low- and middle-income countries

ABSTRACT

Household waste has evolved into a core urban challenge, with increased quantities of waste being generated and with more complex material compositions, often containing toxic and hazardous elements. Critical systems theory understands cities as urban metabolisms, with different material and energy flows, highlighting the circularity in production, consumption, and discard. Waste pickers in low- and medium-income countries work on dumps and landfills, sifting through highly contaminated household waste and are exposed to health hazards. This paper discusses the risk factors, hazards, and vulnerabilities waste pickers are exposed to during collection and separation of recyclables, based on the review of literature on waste and environmental health and on findings from participatory research with waste pickers conducted in Brazil. We take a social and environmental justice perspective and identify the vulnerabilities and waste-borne hazards of household waste, associated with these workers, their communities, watersheds, and the environment. Household waste, although not always per se toxic or hazardous, can become a hazard if not collected or inadequately managed. Those communities where household waste is not collected or waste collection is insufficient are the most critical places. Informal and organized waste pickers, municipal or private waste collectors/workers, small waste traders and sometimes residents, particularly small children, may be considered vulnerable if exposed to waste-borne hazards. The results include recommendations to address household waste-borne hazards and vulnerabilities, according to waste workers involved in this research.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Household waste
• health risks
• vulnerability
• waste pickers
• informal sector
• waste management
• recycling
• low- and middle-income countries

Acknowledgements

Without the many conversations and interactions with waste pickers in different parts of the world and without their everyday expert knowledge, this paper could not have been written. We are deeply grateful for their insights and stories. We also would like to acknowledge the many discussions and learning experiences with colleagues in Brazil, including Nidia N. Pontuschka, Angela M. Baeder, Sonia M. N. Felipone, and Tereza L. F. dos Santos. Finally, we want to thank the reviewers and editors of the Journal for their valuable suggestions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian International Development Agency: [Grant Number S61268-571/I].