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From Waste Pickers to Producers: An Inclusive Circular Economy Solution through Development of Cooperatives in Waste Management

Author

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  • Rajesh Buch

    (Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA)

  • Alicia Marseille

    (Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA)

  • Matthew Williams

    (Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA)

  • Rimjhim Aggarwal

    (Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA)

  • Aparna Sharma

    (Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA)

Abstract

The world’s global plastics waste crisis demands policy coordination and technological solutions to improve waste management systems, and organizations worldwide have created momentum around the concept of a circular economy. This paper advances a holistic, inclusive circular economy framework that aims to empower waste pickers with the following basic pillars: (1) build collaborative networks of stakeholders to enable inclusion of waste pickers; (2) establish cooperative enterprise models to integrate waste pickers into the formal economy; (3) build waste pickers’ technical skills and capacity for entrepreneurship; and (4) provide access to technologies and markets that enable waste pickers to manufacture upcycled products.

Suggested Citation

  • Rajesh Buch & Alicia Marseille & Matthew Williams & Rimjhim Aggarwal & Aparna Sharma, 2021. "From Waste Pickers to Producers: An Inclusive Circular Economy Solution through Development of Cooperatives in Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-9, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:8925-:d:611399
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrew McCarthy & Rob Dellink & Ruben Bibas, 2018. "The Macroeconomics of the Circular Economy Transition: A Critical Review of Modelling Approaches," OECD Environment Working Papers 130, OECD Publishing.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ntobeko Mlotshwa & Tanya Dayaram & Asiphile Khanyile & Princess A. Sibanda & Kira Erwin & Tamlynn Fleetwood, 2022. "Working with Waste: Hazards and Mitigation Strategies Used by Waste Pickers in the Inner City of Durban," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-12, October.
    2. Stefan Schützenhofer & Iva Kovacic & Helmut Rechberger & Stephanie Mack, 2022. "Improvement of Environmental Sustainability and Circular Economy through Construction Waste Management for Material Reuse," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-19, September.
    3. Diego Coletto & Davide Carbonai, 2023. "What Does It Mean to Have a Dirty and Informal Job? The Case of Waste Pickers in the Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Antonella Maiello, 2022. "In, Out or Beyond? Waste Pickers and Policy Networks: A Story from Jardim Gramacho (Rio de Janeiro)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-25, December.

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