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
1st Elective Congress of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers
May 1-5, 2024. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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
Check out the latest GlobalRec newsletter. You can also subscribe to receive it by email.
News from Waste Pickers around the world
Organizing
Regional Coordination and Progress: Red-LACRE’s 2025 Secretariat Meeting in Chile
In March 2025, Red-LACRE held its annual secretariat meeting in Santiago, Chile, bringing together representatives from eight countries to review strategic plans, strengthen intern...
India Launches NAMASTE Scheme to Recognize and Support Waste Pickers
The Government of India has launched a transformative new initiative — the NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem) Scheme — which now formally includes wa...
Letter of support – Indonesian Waste Pickers
To : The Indonesian waste pickers Our heart goes out to you in prayer and anguish as we hear about the harsh and shocking decision made by the government of Indonesia to shut down ...
Affiliates of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers Mark Waste Pickers Day Around the World
IAWP Marks Waste Pickers Day Around the World Argentina In Argentina, the national federation FACCYR (Federacion Argentina de Cartoneros, Carreros y Recicladores) commemorated the ...
International Waste Pickers Day- 1st March 2025 Message
We, the leadership of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers—Severino Lima Junior (President), Sushila Sable (Vice President), and Maditlhare Koena (Treasurer)—extend warm...
Threats
Solidarity in the Face of Eviction: Global Waste Pickers Stand with Likoni Community
Likoni, Kenya – April 2025 On April 3, 2025, a delegation of waste picker leaders from Kenya, Europe, and the International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP) visited the Likoni Du...
Indonesian Waste Pickers call for the International Solidarity
“Today, waste pickers across Indonesia are united in mourning and calling for global solidarity as they face a dire challenge. The Indonesian government has made the shocking dec...
Statement of Denouncement and Repudiation of the Police Repression Exercised by the Argentine Government against FACCyR
From the International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP) we want to express our strongest repudiation and publicly denounce the brutal police repression exercised against our member...
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...
Publications
Integration of Waste Pickers into Mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility Schemes – South Africa
JUST TRANSITION OF THE INFORMAL RECYCLING SECTORCASE STUDIES Integration of Waste Pickers into Mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility Schemes South Africa The informal recyclin...
Legal Recognition of Waste Pickers – Brazil
Waste pickers in Brazil, known as catadores, have been pushing for formal recognition and social protection over the last 20 years
Organising and Integrating the Informal Recycling Sector in the Solid Waste Management Sector – India
The informal waste recycling sector in India accounts for around 4 million people, including waste pickers, local kabadiwaalas (small scrap aggregators), larger aggregator/junkyard owners, and intermediate dealers, or other middlemen playing a significant role in the recovery and recycling of resources.
Joint Statement: World Circular Economy Forum 2025. A Call to Centre Inclusivity and Perspectives from the Global South.
Discover the joint statement from the World Circular Economy Forum 2025, a powerful call to action that puts inclusivity and Global South perspectives at the heart of the circular ...
IAWP, PPIM-IPI, and WALHI Stand in Solidarity with Workers Affected by Indonesian Government’s Decision to Close 343 Dumpsites
Jakarta, Indonesia – In a heart-wrenching statement, the Perkumpulan Pemulung Indonesia Mandiri – Ikatan Pemulung Indonesia (PPIM-IPI), representing over 600,000 waste pickers ...