Resolution 11: on the Threats of Privatization of the Recycling Service.

Whereas, the advance of large corporations and private companies constantly threaten our main sources of work as waste pickers; that recycling has become an important line of business for large capitalists to amass their fortunes by excluding their original workers, that is us; that any new private enterprise directly threatens our daily survival; that this phenomenon grows year by year and expels our sisters and brothers from their traditional work; that it is a situation without national or continental barriers and that the same corporations threaten in different countries; that in many cases, the advance of the private sector has the connivance of political power; that these conflicts take place in dumps, dump sites, landfills, cities, towns, and collection sites.

Whereas, nowadays, some municipalities do business with garbage to generate income with private companies, which in many cases are disguised as false environmental solutions without considering the important work of waste pickers.

Therefore, it is resolved:

Internationally repudiate any threat from private companies to our work, giving priority to the interests of our bases before any other interests.
Repudiate political persecution of our sector in any country in the world.
Support campaigns for the recognition of waste pickers and encourage payment-for-service negotiations in each affiliated country.
Make these conflicts a priority in IAWP’s communication dissemination.
Make alliances with other unions and international organizations to obtain support in this area.

Proposed by FACCYR (Argentina), RENAREC (Ecuador)

Seconded by: Members of Executive Council in their 1st in-person meeting in September 2024

Type: Resolutions