INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF WASTE PICKERS

The International Alliance of Waste Pickers is a union of waste picker organizations representing more than 460,000 workers across 34 countries
Supported by Logo WIEGO

December 01, 2010


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The Global Alliance of Waste Pickers and Allies, through its representative Silvio Ruiz, a grassroots recycler from Colombia, spoke today at the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), and issued a challenge to negotiators to respect and value community-based solutions. The SBSTA counsels the Conference of the Parties on matters of climate, the environment, technology and methods.

An excerpt from Silvio’s address: “This civilization recognized the historic environmental contribution of 20 million grassroots recyclers, over incineration and landfills. It supported community organizations from all popular and indigenous sectors in looking for and promoting local solutions and appropriate technologies to improve the lives of all. If only we could speak this way in the future about this historic moment,” said Silvio Ruiz to world governments, concluding: “Is this the opportunity for our planet? Will you be those leaders that future humans will recognize? Is now the moment? Only history will tell.”