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Hidden Actors of Urban Sustainability: Waste Pickers in Istanbul

Author

Listed:
  • Pınar Geçkili Karaman

    (Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Istanbul Technical University, 34367 Istanbul, Turkey
    Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Istanbul Ticaret University, 34840 Istanbul, Turkey)

  • Mehmet Emin Şalgamcıoğlu

    (Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Istanbul Technical University, 34367 Istanbul, Turkey)

Abstract

Unbalanced population growth, especially in developing countries, has exacerbated the waste problem. This issue is alleviated by waste pickers who play a vital role in recycling, the city’s circular economy, and sustainability strategies. The article aims to create an alternative form of communication by analyzing the daily lives and work patterns of waste pickers through various instruments, contributing to urban sustainability policies. Most studies on waste pickers have focused on broader trends and have not explored the lives of waste pickers in-depth. As a result, effective communication has not been established, and practical solutions have not been developed. This study directly addresses this gap and examines the daily lives and work practices of waste pickers in the metropolis of Istanbul, using ethnographic and grounded theory methodologies. It analyzes these findings with the MAXQDA program and proposes alternative solutions. The methodology generated verbal and spatial data from waste pickers, which were organized using an extensive coding system and, as a result, categorized under four selective codes. Through diagrams created from the theoretical codes used in the coding process, the narratives of waste pickers and their spatial production and usage were correlated, enabling a thorough analysis of waste pickers. This code model presents a challenging reevaluation of the traditional approach to urban sustainability in local systems by recognizing waste pickers as often overlooked yet essential actors and agents of sustainability in the city.

Suggested Citation

  • Pınar Geçkili Karaman & Mehmet Emin Şalgamcıoğlu, 2025. "Hidden Actors of Urban Sustainability: Waste Pickers in Istanbul," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-21, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:14:p:6236-:d:1696766
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. 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.
    2. Hiroshan Hettiarachchi & Jay N. Meegoda & Sohyeon Ryu, 2018. "Organic Waste Buyback as a Viable Method to Enhance Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-15, November.
    3. Navarro Ferronato & Vincenzo Torretta, 2019. "Waste Mismanagement in Developing Countries: A Review of Global Issues," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-28, March.
    4. Catherina J Schenck & Phillip F Blaauw & Jacoba MM Viljoen & Elizabeth C Swart, 2019. "Exploring the Potential Health Risks Faced by Waste Pickers on Landfills in South Africa: A Socio-Ecological Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-21, June.
    5. J. Hidalgo-Crespo & J.L. Amaya-Rivas & Inês Ribeiro & M. Soto & Andreas Riel & Peggy Zwolinski, 2023. "Informal waste pickers in guayaquil: Recycling rates, environmental benefits, main barriers, and troubles," Post-Print hal-04196490, HAL.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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