Latin America
We say no to postponing the closure of open dumps in Brazil
Deputy André Moura is trying to extend another eight years the deadline for municipalities across Brazil to close their open dumps. Municipalities have already had four years to conform to the national law.
RENAREC of Ecuador is in solidarity with the waste pickers of Bogotá
The National Network of Waste Pickers of Ecuador (RENAREC) salutes the waste pickers of Bogotá with the following words…
Why we are against extending the deadline of the national waste policy
Across Brazil, open dumps cause death and disease for waste pickers. To extend for another eight years the deadline to close open dumps will mean the continuation of this degrading situation, another eight years in which waste pickers will not have adequate workplaces and equipment.
Recyclers in Nicaragua: A Productive and Environmental Force
WIEGO, UCA and Red Nica are collaborating to create an alliance for a baseline study of the thousands of waste pickers/recyclers in Nicaragua, the majority of whom are not heard or considered and remain invisible.
Substitution of Animal Traction Vehicles in Bogota
In 2003, the national transit code sought to eradicate animal traction vehicles or animal pulled carts that would have affected hundreds of thousands in Colombia. They had to demand their rights.
Another waste picker dies and municipalities insist on keeping dumpsites open
On September 2nd, a waste picker died in a work-related accident at the Estrutural dumpsite in Brasília. Chico Moura, 57, who worked at the Estrutural dump for 25 years, was buried and then crushed by the machines that cover the waste at the dumpsite.
The Federation of Waste Pickers of Argentina mobilizes to defend inclusive recycling
On August 27, the waste pickers marched to the Ministry of the Environment and Public Space, protesting the city’s failure to implement the recycling service agreement. We are profoundly worried that if this continues, the Ministry of the Environment and Public Space will put at risk the health of the city, will increase the waste being buried at landfills…
Brazilian waste pickers submit inclusive recycling proposal to the government
On August 22, during the opening of the National Conference on Technologies for the Inclusion of Waste Pickers, held at the University of Brasilia, the national movement of waste pickers (MNCR) officially submitted to Minister of the Environment Gilberto Carvalho the proposal for the National Program for Investment in Popular Recycling (PRONAREP).
Inclusive Recycling in Guatemala
As part of the Regional Initiative for Inclusive Recycling, the Inter-American Development Bank organized a workshop in horizontal training on organizing for waste pickers working at a sanitary landfill in Amatitlán, Guatemala.
A victory for the waste pickers of Bahía Blanca!
After almost a month of conflict, the waste pickers of Bahía Blanca (Argentina), together with the Federation of Waste Pickers of Argentina (FACYR/CTEP), came to an agreement in August with the municipal government.
In São Paulo, women waste pickers host a conference to strengthen leadership
About 225 women waste pickers connected to the Brazilian Waste Pickers’ Movement (MNCR) participated in August in the first statewide conference for women waste pickers.
Struggling for Recognition: The Waste Pickers of Colombia
For the past 22 years, the waste pickers of Colombia have been fighting for recognition of their work. “There are no borders for those who fight,” is the slogan that symbolizes the struggle of the more than 15 million waste pickers, who are facing global threats – against their lives, organization and towards the environment.
Waste pickers in Asunción, Paraguay need help after devastating floods
In the month of June, many residents of the Bañado Tacumbú neighborhood of Asunción, Paraguay, had to evacuate their homes because of flooding. The flood has affected about 5,000 families, 80 percent of which are waste picker families
840 waste pickers contracted to recycle during the World Cup
The Movement of Brazilian Waste Pickers (MNCR) showed once more the result of a national effort in the struggle for recognition with the official partipation of waste pickers in recycling service during the World Cup. Close to 840 waste pickers organized in cooperatives and networks were part of the recycling effort across 12 World Cup stadiums, as well as at official World Cup events.
A waste picker from Argentina participates in the International Labor Conference
Brazilian Movement stands with Uruguayans against waste-to-energy plans
Waste pickers respond to Uruguay’s waste-to-energy plans
As a response to information recently published about the current government-led public bidding process that aims to promote waste-to-energy in Uruguay, a pro-waste picker initiative called the Coordinadora Pro Clasificadores (CPC) declares in four points that the generation of energy from waste is not a solution.
Video: the recicladores of Bogotá on the ousting of Mayor Petro
In a video produced by ARB and supported by WIEGO, Silvio Ruiz Grisales, a Colombian recycler, spoke about the continued fight for the right to waste management in Bogotá.
March 8th: Women in the struggle for inclusive recycling
For women waste pickers, March 8 is a day of struggle – a struggle for inclusive recycling and for the end of inequality in recycling.