INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF
WASTE PICKERS
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
UN Plastic Treaty
Active participation in the UN global treaty that tackles plastic pollution.
Where are we?
Provisional list of hundreds of waste pickers’ groups around the globe.
Recent newsletter
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News from Waste Pickers around the world
Organizing
Plastics Treaty advances on just transition, but faces critical challenges overall
The International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP) at INC 3 A delegation of 10 waste pickers from nine countries, across five continents (Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, North and La...
Uniting for Just Transition: IAWP Outlines Vision for a Plastic Treaty
The International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP) celebrated a year of the constitution of the IAWP and presented its vision for a Just Transition for Waste Pickers under the UN P...
The International Alliance of Waste Pickers addresses the plenary at INC-3 on Just Transition
Barbra Weber, delegate of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers and from Ground Score (USA), spoke at INC-3 in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 14th, 2023, to address the plenary:...
For a Just Transition under the Plastic Treaty. IAWP at INC-3 in Nairobi
The International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP) is participating in the upcoming Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) meeting to prepare a legal instrument to deal wi...
IAWP’s Statement on Palestine Solidarity
As we bear witness to the unfolding tragedies around us, the International Alliance of Waste Pickers expresses its unwavering support for all individuals who have been subjected to...
Threats
Dry waste centre and the basis of our livelihood have been destroyed
The Dry Waste Collection Centre (DWCC) in ward 177, JP Nagar (India), was set on fire on 20th May 2023. The centre is run by Kumuda, a former waste picker who put her own money int...
Recyclers demand respect and continuity of work in Cerro Patacón
Members of the National Movement of Recyclers of Panama (MNRP) marched on Thursday, March 23, to the vicinity of the Presidency of the Republic, located in San Felipe. The recycler...
The International Alliance of Waste Pickers at COP27 – Egypt
With the support of GAIA and WIEGO, the International Alliance of Waste Pickers will be participating in the COP27 in Egypt. The delegation will be in Sharm El Sheikh from the 1...
Waste picker shelters burned in Bantar Gebang Landfill (Indonesia)
On March 15, at 2pm Indonesia time, shelters of members of Ikatan Pemulung Indonesia (Indonesia Waste-pickers Union – IPI) were burned near Bantar Gebang Landfill (in Bekasi,...
Fire outbreak in waste picker homes in Ghana
On March 16, 15 waste pickers in Ghana at Kpone landfill lost their properties due to a fire outbreak at their quarters that started during the night. Their homes, where they lived...
Publications
Waste pickers feature in documentary about forming IAWP
International Alliance of Waste Pickers’s Acting General Secretary, Lucia Fernández has featured in an Insider Business documentary exploring the essential role waste pickers pl...
Waste Pickers, the Missing Piece in India’s EPR Puzzle
The Alliance of Indian Waste Pickers (AIW) has released new research into Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and the impacts it has on Indian waste pickers. Haris Najib, the...
RedLacre at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
WIEGO and the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Waste Pickers (RedLacre) will denounce in the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), the situation of the rights o...
MNCR leader Alex Cardoso launches his book: Do Lixo a Bixo
The waste picker Alex Cardoso promoted the launching of his book, together with other waste pickers connected to the National Movement of Waste Pickers (MNCR) in Brazil. “Do lixo...
Podcast on Reclaimers in South Africa
In this podcast published by New Frame they interview Kopano Mokoena, Thando Nkalaand Eva Mokoena, reclaimers of Johannesburg, South Africa. They also interview Federico Parra (WIE...