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Scavengers and their role in the recycling of waste in Southwestern Lahore

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  • Asim, Muhammad
  • Batool, Syeda Adila
  • Chaudhry, Muhammad Nawaz

Abstract

This study deals with the scavengers and their role in the recycling of waste in Southern Lahore. Data was gathered from 325 different scavengers, junkshops and middlemen. Waste generation rate in Allama Iqbal town is 0.80kg per capita per day. In researched area and other cities of Pakistan there is no formal sorting of waste and this activity is mainly in the hands of informal sector of which scavengers are major stakeholders. Korreywalas, Pheriwalas, waste pickers, street pickers and dumpsite pickers are different types of scavengers. Scavengers have different socio-economic and socio-demographic characteristics. Males and females of all ages, poor refugees, migrants and minorities are involved in the recovery of waste recyclables. Pheriwalas purchase recyclable items form the household and shops and all other scavengers recover the recyclable items directly from waste. All scavengers sell recyclables to junkshop dealers or contractors, which resell these to middlemen or recycling industries. Most of the recyclable materials consists of variety of paper, cardboard, metal scrap, plastics, pet bottles, dry breads, heals of shoes, bones, etc. The price of an item depends on its quality or agreement among scavengers and contractors. The earnings of scavengers depend on the recovered amounts of recyclables from the waste or purchasing from the households and the quality of recyclable items. The estimated total amount of recyclable material recovered by all the scavengers working in the area is about 525tons per month, which generate an income of US$ 30,875 per month. They are poor, suffer harassment from officials and face health and safety problems during the work. Despite of their low economic and social status, scavengers are making important environmental and economic contributions. Scavengers not only reduce the waste but also supply secondary materials to recycling industry, save the expenditures of SWMD in sweeping, transportation and disposing of waste. The overall impact of activities of scavengers is positive economically and environmentally. Of the various categories of scavengers household waste collection system run by Korreywalas is the best. This can be improved further if government or organized private sector helps them by organizing them, providing them medical and health facilities, PPEs and financial incentives.

Suggested Citation

  • Asim, Muhammad & Batool, Syeda Adila & Chaudhry, Muhammad Nawaz, 2012. "Scavengers and their role in the recycling of waste in Southwestern Lahore," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 152-162.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:58:y:2012:i:c:p:152-162
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2011.10.013
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Suttibak, Samonporn & Nitivattananon, Vilas, 2008. "Assessment of factors influencing the performance of solid waste recycling programs," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 53(1), pages 45-56.
    2. Sembiring, Emenda & Nitivattananon, Vilas, 2010. "Sustainable solid waste management toward an inclusive society: Integration of the informal sector," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(11), pages 802-809.
    3. Gutberlet, Jutta, 2008. "Empowering collective recycling initiatives: Video documentation and action research with a recycling co-op in Brazil," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 52(4), pages 659-670.
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    2. Aryampa, Shamim & Maheshwari, Basant & Sabiiti, Elly N. & Bateganya, Najib L. & Olobo, Christopher, 2022. "Understanding the impacts of waste disposal site closure on the livelihood of local communities in africa: A case study of the kiteezi landfill in Kampala, Uganda," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 25(C).
    3. Mizanur Rahman, S.M. & Mayer, Audrey L., 2015. "How social ties influence metal resource flows in the Bangladesh ship recycling industry," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 104(PA), pages 254-264.
    4. Davis, John-Michael & Garb, Yaakov, 2015. "A model for partnering with the informal e-waste industry: Rationale, principles and a case study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 105(PA), pages 73-83.
    5. Fei, Fan & Qu, Lili & Wen, Zongguo & Xue, Yanyan & Zhang, Huanan, 2016. "How to integrate the informal recycling system into municipal solid waste management in developing countries: Based on a China’s case in Suzhou urban area," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 74-86.
    6. Gu, Yifan & Wu, Yufeng & Xu, Ming & Wang, Huaidong & Zuo, Tieyong, 2016. "The stability and profitability of the informal WEEE collector in developing countries: A case study of China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 18-26.

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