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
UN Plastic treaty

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.


News from Waste Pickers around the world


Organizing

IAWP delegation, waste pickers from Nairobi group photo at Brazilian embassy after the event on Just Transition on November 15th in Nairobi.

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 event. November 15th, 2023. Brazilian embassy. INC-3

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...
Barbara Weber speaks on behalf of IAWP at the INC-3 in Nairobi

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:...
Banner INC-3 IAWP participation in Nairobi, Kenya

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

The International Alliance of Waste Pickers was featured on this documentary of Bussiness insider.

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...
Front page of the the report "Waste Pickers- The Missing Piece in India’s EPR Puzzle"

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...