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

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sawpa march cop17

picture by Groundwork, Southafrica

The South African Waste Picker’s Association (SAWPA) is in solidarity with waste pickers across the globe. We would like to commemorate the day of remembrance of all waste pickers around the world who die on the streets or landfills. Those Men and Women who we witness everyday being brutalized, beaten to death, shot, run over by trucks while trying to earn a living through waste recycling.

We will forever keep strengthening ourselves and fight privatisation of waste by our governments, cutting down the middlemen. Push industries to recognise our role in recycling. We will fight against all false solutions to waste management such incineration, waste to energy, and landfill gas capture. All these false solutions that displace waste pickers globally and we vow to stand against them.

We embrace zero waste programs and say no to waste privatisation. We also embrace the idea of waste separation at source where organic waste material should be used as compost or aerobically digested.

For those who have recognised importance our work and supported us, keep up the good work. The struggle is not yet over until global waste pickers are recognised and respected.

Amandla!!!

Simon Mbata from SAWPA