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A Call for a Socially Restorative Circular Economy: Waste Pickers in the Recycled Plastics Supply Chain

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  • Anna Barford

    (University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
    University of Cambridge)

  • Saffy Rose Ahmad

    (University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership)

Abstract

The labour-intensive task of waste collection for recycling is critical to contemporary forms of corporate circularity. In low- and middle-income countries, waste pickers underpin the recycling loop of the circular economy. Where informality and working poverty are the norm, waste pickers typically receive little social protection, work in dangerous conditions, and earn low wages. Nevertheless, waste pickers’ work addresses multiscalar environmental problems from localised flooding of plastic-clogged waterways, to preventing the release of greenhouse gases when plastic is burnt. Here, we review recent academic and grey literature on waste picking, the social circular economy, and corporate circularity to understand the role and position of waste pickers in the contemporary circular economy. We explain how given the recent outcry against plastic waste, and subsequent corporate commitments to plastic recycling, there has been greater action on material flows than in support of the people who move these flows. Overall, the corporate response remains limited, with a general preference for recycling over redesign and only a fifth of packaging accounted for. Based on this review, we present two models. The first is a hierarchy of plastic recycling showing the foundational role of waste pickers in the recycled plastics supply chain. As plastics move up the hierarchy, their value increases and working conditions improve. We also propose a new model for a socially restorative circular economy which provides fair pay, safe working conditions, social protection, legal rights, voice, respect, services, and education. Some governments, co-operatives, non-governmental organisations, and businesses are already working towards this—and their work offers pathways towards a new standard of fair trade recycled materials. We argue that for true sustainability and the best version of circularity to be achieved, deeply ingrained social challenges must be resolved.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Barford & Saffy Rose Ahmad, 2021. "A Call for a Socially Restorative Circular Economy: Waste Pickers in the Recycled Plastics Supply Chain," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:1:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s43615-021-00056-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s43615-021-00056-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Lais R. Lima & Rafaela F. Gutierrez & Sandra A. Cruz, 2022. "A Perspective of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Plastic Waste Management and Cooperatives of Waste Pickers in Brazil," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    4. Ajay Singh, 2022. "Sustainable Waste Management Through Systems Engineering Models and Remote Sensing Approaches," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.

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