• Global Meetings
• 3rd Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) on Plastic Pollution in Nairobi

3rd Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) on Plastic Pollution in Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya, November 13-19, 2023

The International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP) participates in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) meeting on plastic pollution in Nairobi.

The International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP) participates in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) meeting on plastic pollution in Nairobi. The INC-3 meeting is the third in a series of meetings to negotiate a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution.

Waste pickers are among the most marginalised workers within the plastics value chain. They are often excluded and stigmatised due to their identities and nature of their work. However, waste pickers play an essential role in the global plastic waste management system and account for  up to 85 percent of recycling chain workers, globally.

They collect and sort recyclable plastic materials, which helps to reduce pollution and conserve resources. The plastics treaty can set standards that will improve work conditions in the materials management sector, but if not designed to ensure a just transition, it could alternately disrupt the sector in ways that harm waste picker livelihoods.

Visit our section dedicated to the Plastic Treaty

Follow our Twitter @globalrec_org for live updates.

Documents #

Press Release after INC-3

Press Release Post INC3

Recommendations for Zero Draft #

The International Alliance of Waste Pickers expresses its appreciation for the inclusion of “Just Transition” in the Zero Draft of the proposed legal instrument addressing plastic pollution. We recommend that the objective of this instrument explicitly include a reference to “just transition.” These are are our recommendations for member states.

Recommendation of the IAWP for the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) and Waste Management Sections

Download EPR Recommendation (Nov. 18th)

Recommendation of the IAWP for the Just Transition Section

Download Just Transition recommendations (Nov. 18th)

IAWP’s Recommendations for Member States Regarding the Zero Draft

Download recommendations (Nov. 14th)

IAWP’s Vision for a Just Transition for Waste Pickers under the UN Plastics Treaty #

The IAWP position paper outlines the essential steps that need to be taken to ensure that the transition to a circular economy for plastics is fair and inclusive for all workers, particularly waste pickers. These steps include:

• Recognizing and formalising the role of waste pickers in the plastic waste management system.
• Providing social protection and decent work conditions for waste pickers.
• Investing in training and capacity building for waste pickers.
• Ensuring that waste pickers have a meaningful say in the design and implementation of plastic waste management policies and programs.

Waste pickers are essential to the global plastic waste management system. They collect and sort recyclable materials, which helps to reduce pollution and conserve resources. However, waste pickers often work in hazardous conditions and are denied basic labour rights.

Access the position paper

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) position

For the past three years, the International Alliance of Waste Pickers (former Global Alliance of Waste Pickers), with support from WIEGO, has been undertaking an extensive process to collectively develop recommendations for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) that integrates waste pickers.  This participatory process has involved waste pickers, organizers, technical experts, policy advisors, and academicians connected to waste picker organisations across five continents.

This official position on EPR, published in 2021, helps waste pickers and their allies negotiate for more equitable EPR systems at the local, national and international levels.

Joint Statement with trade unions as part of the Major Workers group

Because waste pickers are not the only workers that are going to be affected by the Plastic Treaty, we have joint efforts for this INC-3 to have a unified voice with other international workers unions: International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), IndustriALL, Public Services International (PSI), and the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF). Download statement.

During INC-3 yesterday, member states (Peru, Ecuador, Cameroon, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Kenya, and South Africa) were invited by the International Alliance of Waste Pickers to discuss the harmonization of treaty text recommendations- namely the cross referencing of just transition throughout treaty text, the mention of waste pickers in the treaty, and the definition of just transition, workers in informal and cooperative settings, and waste pickers.

November 14th #

Barbra Weber intervention for #PlasticsTreaty at #INC3 on behalf of #WastepickersAtINC3: “I am Barbra Weber accredited with Trash for Peace, representing the International Alliance of Waste Pickers with the membership of 460,000 organized waste pickers in 34 countries. 👇🧵 pic.twitter.com/Ngq8djsNgK

— ♻️ International Alliance of Waste Pickers (@globalrec_org) November 14, 2023

Media briefing: Global South Voices. Panel organized Gaia

In this panel organized by Gaia, Maditlhare Koena (South African Waste Pickers Association) and Soledad Mella (Chilean National Movement of Waste Pickers), both representatives of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers, talked about their experiences from their countries and what is just transition for waste pickers. Watch video.

November 15th #

Presentation: Uniting for Just Transition: IAWP Outlines Vision for a Plastic Treatyat Brazilian embassy

IAWP is actively participating in the INC-3 meetings on plastic pollution. As part of their engagement, they organised a side event at the Embassy of Brazil in Nairobi titled “Uniting for Just Transition”. The event was well-received and drew representatives from various organisations, including trade unions. Delegate members from Pakistan, Chile, Colombia, Norway, Uruguay, the United States, Germany, and Belgium attended the event. Notably, most of these delegates expressed support for IAWP’s position advocating for the inclusion of waste pickers in the treaty text and promoting a Just Transition for waste pickers and other marginalized communities. Watch video.

November 16th #

Meetings with UN

Today, the IAWP delegation, met with @MathurFilipp (Executive Secretary, Secretariat of the INC for Plastics Pollution) and shared our views on #justTransition for the #PlasticsTreaty #wastepickersatINC3. Thanks for your support of waste participation at #INC3 pic.twitter.com/E1U3oMVUjv

— ♻️ International Alliance of Waste Pickers (@globalrec_org) November 16, 2023

Today we met @andersen_inger, Executive Director of @UNEP @UN, as part of ongoing negotiations at #INC3 for #PlasticTreaty. She mentioned that the just transition of #wastepickers are essential to future #plasticstreaty. 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/qL0cDOBRjj

— ♻️ International Alliance of Waste Pickers (@globalrec_org) November 16, 2023

Promoting circular economy to retain plastics in the economy and out of the environment

Brian Gisore (KeNaWPa, Kenya) and Taylor Cass Talbott presented IAWP’s position during official side event “Promoting circular economy to retain plastics in the economy and out of the environment”, including innovation and expanding the share of circular plastics. Those waste picker organisations that have been able to secure a just transition for their members are nearly always supported by legal frameworks that include, define and mandate specific provisions for waste pickers in national laws and policy. Watch video.

November 17th #

Madhitlare Koena (SAWPA, South Africa) and Amira El Halabi (IAWP’s Africa Coordinator and Advocacy lead) participated in the official UN side event “Socio-economic considerations in the transition to circular approaches to plastic, including human rights approaches and inclusion of the informal waste sector” at INC-3, Nairobi, on November 17th, 2023. Watch Video here

November 18th #

Recommendation of the IAWP for the Just Transition Section in the ongoing negotiation during #PlasticTreaty during #INC3 https://t.co/4Ax2YdQ2F1#WastepickersAtINC3 #JustTransition

— ♻️ International Alliance of Waste Pickers (@globalrec_org) November 18, 2023

Events #

Nov. 14th Empowering waste workers on the path to a just transition

Real-life stories and expert perspectives on turning words into action
Co-hosts: UN Habitat & The Circulate Initiative.
Time: 7 – 9 pm EAT
Venue: https://alchemist254.com

Opening remarks: Cecilia Andersson, Head, Waste Team, Urban Basic Services, UN HabitatPanel discussion:

• Dr. Ayub Macharia. Director, Environmental Education and Awareness. Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Kenya
• John Chweya. President. Kenya National Waste Pickers Welfare Association
• Sonia Orwa. Country CEO. Mr Green Africa.
• Indumathi. Representative. International Alliance of Waste Pickers, Alliance of Indian Wastepickers, Thyajya Shramika Sangha
• Elijah Kodisang. Coordinator and Chairperson. African Reclaimers Organisation.
• Ben Jordan. Senior Director of Environmental Policy The Coca Cola Company
•  Soledad Mella. President, Association of Wastepickers in Chile,and Representative of International Alliance of Waste Pickers.

Moderated by Anna Douma, Director of Programs, The Circulate Initiative

Closing remarks by Lucía Fernández, Acting General Secretary of International Alliance of Waste Pickers.

Documentary screening: Reclaim: Finding the Heart of Circular Economy.

Nov. 15th. Uniting for Just Transition. IAWP main side event #

In Nairobi, we will host an event (supporting partners – WIEGO, University of St Andrews, UNICATADORES, and the generous hospitality of the Embassy of Brazil in Nairoibi) – Uniting for Just Transition, where we will be celebrating a year of the constitution of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP), an essential milestone towards the formalisation of our organisation – affiliates of over 50 organisations from 34 countries and more than 460.000 members.

The event is organized together with WIEGO, the University of St Andrews, UNICATADORES, and the generous hospitality of the Embassy of Brazil in Nairoibi

• Location: in-person event in Nairobi, at Brazilian Embassy (Address: 123 Gardenia Rd, Nairobi, Kenya (1.5 kilometres from UN Complex)
• Event Date and Time: 15th November 2023, 13:15-14:30
• Duration: 75 minutes
  

We want to invite our comrades and allies to present our position paper on Just Transition and introduce you all to our waste pickers affiliate organisations.

Nov. 16th Promoting circular economy to retain plastics in the economy and out of the environment

Official title of the event: Promoting circular economy to retain plastics in the economy and out of the environment, including innovation and expanding the share of circular plasticsOfficial UN side event (link to all the UN side events).
Location: Room CR 10. Same as INC-3 (UNON HQ, United Nations Avenue, Gigiri). Time: 13:30 – 14:45 EAT.

The circular economy is a promising approach to tackle plastic pollution that focuses on the entire lifecycle of plastic-containing products. Applying circular economy practices can move industries in plastic supply chains towards more innovative, resource efficient and sustainable production. Circular economy approaches help industries retain plastics in the economy, thus preserving the value embodied in plastics and preventing their leakage out of the economy and into the environment in the form of waste. Design will play a central role in making plastics more circular, ranging from the circular design of plastic-containing products to system-wide redesigns, which include but are not limited to extended producer responsibility, adequate measures to integrate the informal sector and circular business models.

Confirmed panelist:

• Production and retail: Cedric Dever, The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF)
• End-of-life management: Taylor Cass Talbott, Advocacy Coordinator, International Alliance of Waste Pickers and WIEGO; Ntabuti Brian Gisore, Kenyan National Waste Pickers Welfare Association.
• Pollution abatement: Alexandra Golden/Clemence Schmid, TerraCycle Global Foundation

Nov. 17th Socio-economic considerations in the transition to circular approaches to plastic

Official title: Socio-economic considerations in the transition to circular approaches to plastic, including human rights approaches and inclusion of the informal waste sector
UN side event (link to all the UN side events).
Location: Same as INC-3 (UNON HQ, United Nations Avenue, Gigiri). Time: 13:30 – 14:45 EAT.

Meet our delegation #

These are the waste picker leaders that participate in this third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee:

1. Barbra Weber (Ground Score, USA).
2. Soledad Mella Vidal (ANARCH, Chile).
3. Harouna Niass (Bokk Diom, Senegal).
4. Madhitlare Koena (SAWPA, South Africa).
5. Indumathi (TSS, India).
6. John Chweya (KeNaWPa, Kenya).
7. Brian Gisore (KeNaWPa, Kenya).
8. Kulsum (WPUB, Bangladesh).
9. Severino Lima Jr. (MNCR, Brazil).
10. Pietro Luppi (Rete ONU, Italy).

Social media #

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