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
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In December, Sujeylin Isabel Ordoñez Quesada, a waste picker with Cooperativa de Recuperadores del Pacifico R.L (COOPEREPA) of Costa Rica, sent an email to Red Lacre (Latin American Network of Waste Pickers) requesting advice about what actions to take in regards to the closure of the Parque Ambiental de Garabito landfill and the likely loss of the livelihoods of the 18 families working there.

Letters of solidarity from the Asociación Nacional de Recicladores de Colombia, Movimiento Nacional de Recicladores de Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic were sent both to the waste pickers and members of the municipal government. In February, Sujeylin reported that the situation at the landfill has improved as they are now in talks with the municipal government and the health department to find the best solution. They are also still working at the landfill at the moment, she said.