African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) marches for their rights
African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) is a Johannesburg based organisation of informal reclaimers who collect recyclables from Johannesburg’s streets and landfills. There are...
GLOBAL ALLIANCE OF
WASTE PICKERS
WASTE PICKERS
The Global Alliance of Waste Pickers is a networking process supported by WIEGO, among thousands of waste picker organizations with groups in more than 28 countries covering mainly Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Supported by
Africa
Landfill and street recyclers for the first time united and organized in South Africa
On the 2nd Septemeber 2018, African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) introduced itself to the broader public as the first organisation of recyclers that united those who work in landf...
In Accra, Kpone landfill organization small steps, big horizon
Inspired by CTEP, the Argentinean union of popular economy workers, specially by waste pickers achievements in Buenos Aires organized in FACCyR, Kpone Landfill Waste Pickers Associ...
Violent Assault of Waste Pickers Near Genesis Landfill, Johannesburg
On June 20th, at least 70 reclaimers (waste pickers) were violently attacked in a raid by the Red Ants, a private security company specialising in evictions. The attack took place ...
Another massive fire in Mbeubeuss landfill in Dakar, show support!
On Sunday the 11th of February 2018 a massive fire broke out at the Mbeubeuss waste dump in Dakar, Senegal. According to recent estimates, there are 2,500 waste pickers who earn th...
Waste Pickers March against displacement in Tshwane (South Africa)
In response to failure of the City of Tshwane (Gauteng, South Africa) to respond to waste pickers demands such as support for their livelihoods, and failure to employ 261 waste pic...
Remembering Reuben – Waste Picker Leader Murdered Outside Central Johannesburg
Reuben Sandile Oupa Mbambisa, a 52-year-old waste picker/reclaimer and active member of the Johannesburg Reclaimers Committee, was brutally murdered in the early hours of September...
Waste Pickers from 3 Continents Exchange Experiences and Knowledge in South Africa
In August 2017, waste picker leaders from Brazil and India traveled to South Africa for an international exchange hosted by the South African Waste Pickers Association (SAWPA) and ...
Reclaimers of the City of Joburg marched to protest a new source segregation program
Reclaimers (waste pickers) from 7 regions of the City of Joburg (Johannesburg, South Africa) marched to protest a new source segregation program which could threaten their liveliho...
Johannesburg’s New Waste Programme Threatens Reclaimers’ Work
On July 1st, contracts signed by the City of Johannesburg’s Pikitup with private recycling companies will come into effect, threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of informal st...
A massive fire in Mbeubeuss landfill (Senegal)
The Mbeubeuss garbage dump has again caught fire. In 2012, the village of Gouy-gui experienced a similar fate as raging flames caused significant damage. But this Thursday, Decembe...
South Africa progresses towards integrating waste pickers
“Waste pickers are an integral part of the waste management system, and they help to divert recyclables away from landfills” – Minister Edna Molewa From the 31st to the 2nd o...
Durban loses a legend: Informal Recycler Afrika Ntuli
On the eve of 31 May 2016, renowned Durban informal recycler, Afrika Ntuli, shockingly passed away after being knocked by a motor vehicle at a pedestrian crossing near his place of...
Hazardous waste incinerator rubber stamped
In mid-November 2015, the KwaZulu-Natal Department for Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs (KZN DEDTEA) (Ugu District) granted an Environmental Authorisation ...
An influx of waste-to-energy projects in South Africa
Due to various challenges experienced by the government regarding waste, incinerators have been pitched as a solution, when in fact they are a false solution. Waste companies, incl...
Towards a solid organization of waste pickers in Sierra Leone
Aaron A Boima is an informal trader in Freetown, and the Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Traders Union (SLeTU). He is also the Co-ordinator of eight informal economy workers...
Pietermaritzburg drops the ball on sustainable jobs initiative
Fifteen waste recyclers brought a municipal waste management meeting to an hour-long standstill last Thursday at the Harry Gwala Stadium. Open to everyone residing within the uMgun...
An interview with Thulisiwe Khumalo, woman waste picker and leader
Thulisiwe started working on a dumpsite five years ago for Wetland Recycling a company owned by a white man. However, in 2013 after three years of being subjected to irregular wage...
Women waste pickers discuss strategies for recognition at a Cape Town workshop
On 26-27 May 2015, 30 women waste pickers gathered at Community House in Salt River Cape Town. They gathered at a workshop facilitated by WIEGO in partnership with the Internationa...
A study about waste pickers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Abstract Waste recycling in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is not spearheaded by any government, private or civil society initiative but rather by the efforts of an informal army of self-...