Caste, mistrust and municipal inaction: The interwoven barriers for the integration of waste pickers in India.

Solid waste management in low- and middle-income countries like India faces significant challenges due to the increasing waste generation that surpasses the current capacity. Therefore, the informal waste sector (IWS) is more vital than ever in handling consumer waste alongside municipal solid waste management (SWM) systems. However, the integration of the IWS into formal waste management systems remains unresolved due to adverse social and economic conditions. This study focuses on identifying the root causes that hinder the integration of the IWS in India's waste management system, using the city of Chennai as a case study. Adopting an institutional perspective, we analyse the institutional landscape of the waste management system, considering both formal rules (in policy documents) and informal rules (i.e., social norms and routines). The institutional network analysis reveals a significant misalignment in perceptions among governance levels concerning the integration of the IWS. The study shows a considerable gap between rules-in-form and rules-in-use, leading to 1) Preclusion of waste pickers in collecting door-to-door source-segregated waste (i.e., recyclables). 2) Unfair pricing in transactions with small aggregators. 3) Lack of ID cards for waste pickers. These barriers are ultimately rooted in caste discrimination, misalignment between governance levels, and the exclusion of waste pickers in the policymaking process. In conclusion, understanding and rectifying the institutional gaps and discriminatory practices are essential steps towards effectively integrating the IWS in India's waste management system, promoting a more inclusive and sustainable approach to waste management.

The global distribution of epidemiological studies involving waste pickers: A systematic review.

Waste pickers, who work with the collection of recyclable materials in search of a source of income, are subject to various risks and diseases that are very well researched. The aim of this systematic review was therefore to identify and analyze the results of epidemiological research on waste pickers over the last 20 years as well as to investigate the geographical distribution and quality of these studies. The studies were selected from the literature by creating search keys with representative keywords in different databases. This systematic review exceptionally includes research qualified according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. In total, 61 epidemiological studies with waste pickers were found in 15 different countries, with the largest number of studies carried out in the American continent compared to the African and Asian, respectively. Regarding the quality, 91.80 % were classified as excellent and 8.20 % as good. Although the results show a significant number of epidemiological studies with waste pickers, demonstrating scientific evidence, that there is still a lack of research focusing on waste pickers in different work scenarios, from different health perspectives and in different parts of the world, and it is not possible to highlight the trends in health research for this profession.

Metal levels in waste pickers in Brasilia, Brazil: hair and nail as exposure matrices.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare workplace conditions and metal exposures in 431 waste pickers who worked nearby at the Estrutural Dump in Brasilia utilizing hair (n = 310) and nail (n = 355) as matrices of exposure. Waste pickers were grouped according to their workplace (open waste dump: G1 and sorting plants: G2). Hair and nail samples were collected and analyzed using ICP-MS. The work duration in the facilities was significantly different between the groups with averages of 16.46 (8.48) yrs and 9.26 (6.28) yrs for hair donors in G1 and G2, and 15.92 (7.72) yrs and 8.55 (5.77) yrs for toenail donors in G1 and G2, respectively. The arithmetic means (µg/g) of cadmium, copper, lead, and manganese in hair were significantly higher in G2 (0.076 ± 0.133; 19.61 ± 18.16; 2.27 ± .56 and 3.87 ± 5.59, respectively) compared to G1 (0.069 ± 0.235; 15.72 ± 15.18; 1.72 ± 4.04 and 3.65 ± 5.5, respectively). Concentrations of arsenic, barium, cadmium, copper, cobalt, lead, manganese, and molybdenum in nail were significantly higher in G2 (0.57 ± 0.39; 22.74 ± 42.06; 0.1 ± 0.08; 22.7 ± 51.60; 0.48 ± 0.45; 4.69 ± 9.43; 19.07 ± 20.75; 1.80 ± 1.76, respectively) compared to G1 (0.40 ± 0.28; 15.32 ± 22.31; 0.08 ± 0.11; 11.91 ± 16.25; 0.37 ± 0.37; 3.94 ± 15.04; 13.01 ± 19.08; 1.16 ± 1.80, respective. Our findings suggest that the studied population was exposed to toxic metals and indicates the need for chemical exposure prevention policies to monitor chemical risk exposures in waste pickers.

Stop treating waste pickers like garbage: An autoethnography on informal waste picking in Brazil.

There are almost 8 billion people on the planet with every single one of them producing some type of waste. The cost of recycling and money made by selling recyclable products has created a strong foundation for informal waste picking to exist. Waste pickers sort through garbage to find recyclable material; it is estimated that there are around 20 million waste pickers worldwide. In 2022, I went to experience life as a waste picker in Brasilia, Brazil for a day to understand issues that may continue to exist in this informal industry. I worked in a triage center and used this experience to inform my autoethnography; even though I have worked in waste picker research for almost a decade, this experience led to a different conclusion. The most interesting issue that I found while working as a waste picker was the lack of uniformity in waste picking, which led to people working on the streets or in co-op triage centers. This population is vulnerable which is worsened from exposure to hazards by nature of the informal environment; this situation contributes to ongoing poor working conditions through lack of governmental oversight, policy development, and change. Ultimately, informality needs to be addressed.

Informal waste pickers in guayaquil: Recycling rates, environmental benefits, main barriers, and troubles.

Systems for managing municipal solid waste are typically ineffective in developing nations because of governments' deficient financial and administrative frameworks, poor rules, and a lack of suitable infrastructure and human resources. The informal sector plays an essential role in these systems by reprocessing waste into secondary raw materials, reducing collection and disposal costs, and, most importantly, benefiting the environment by avoiding incineration and landfilling. However, their actual contributions remain unknown. The present paper aims to understand the role of informal waste pickers (IWPs) in the waste management system of Guayaquil City and their environmental impact through the calculations of the carbon footprint (CF) avoided due to their aid. The survey design gathered information on their personal profiles, types, and rates of collected recyclables, market conditions, their main barriers, and troubles regarding their formalization. The results of the survey demonstrate that waste picking is mostly a male-driven activity, the average daily mass collected per IWP is 13 kg, the most collected recyclable waste is polyethylene terephthalate, their average monthly income is $179, and the total avoided CF of the entire informal waste picking process is almost 14 thousand tons of CO2 eq yearly. Further, IWPs prefer to operate alone, and only 16% of them would join a cooperative, despite their numerous financial, logistical, and personal challenges.

Does National Health Protection Cover the Vulnerable Groups in Indonesia? A Case Study of Waste Pickers in Surabaya.

The National Health Protection (NHP) of Indonesia is a pro-poor social health insurance as the government pays the monthly premium for the poor. A waste picker is classified as an urban poor group needing affordable or free access to health care. This study explores the extent to which the NHP protects the health of waste pickers and provides them with quality health care. For this mixed-method study, 342 waste pickers completed the survey, 40 engaged in interviews, and 15 participated in Natural Group Discussions. The study found that 20% of waste pickers were not enrolled in NHP due to issues such as incorrect validation of poverty, discrimination, illegal fees, nepotism, unaffordable premiums, and lack of interest in purchasing the health plan. Among those who were enrolled, waste pickers expressed satisfaction with the health care they received and the behavior of the staff. However, they did criticize certain aspects such as waiting times, service gaps between full-paying and subsidized patients, suspicion of the quality of medicines, complicated medical administration procedures, and inflexibility of the capitation system. The study concludes that despite the NHP, poor groups remain vulnerable to accessing free health care.

Cytotoxic and oxidative changes in individuals occupationally exposed to recyclable municipal solid waste.

aste collectors are exposed to a wide variety of bacteria, endotoxins, fungi, allergens, particulate matter, irritating inhalants, and vehicle exhaust, making them more prone to development of chronic diseases. Although several studies described the impact of occupational exposure on the overall health of waste collectors, few investigations were conducted regarding cellular and molecular changes that may occur due to exposure. The aim of this study was to assess biomarkers of oxidative stress such as levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipoperoxidation, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), apoptosis, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity and mitochondrial function (MitoTrackerTM Green FM and MitoTrackerTM Red) using the peripheral blood from individuals occupationally exposed to recyclable solid waste in Southern Brazil. The study included 30 waste collectors and 30 control individuals, who did not perform activities with recognized exposure to biological and chemical substances. Waste collectors were found to exhibit in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) higher rates of apoptosis, increased production of ROS, and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), associated with decreased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and elevated activity of BChE in plasma. Therefore, evidence indicates that cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses may be involved in the multiplicity of adverse health outcomes related to contaminant exposure in waste collectors. It is thus necessary to implement and/or improve occupational health programs aimed at workers as well as mandatory inspections for the use of personal protective equipment.

A review of plastic waste circular actions in seven developing countries to achieve sustainable development goals.

Plastic waste circularity is a priority at a global level. Sustainable development goals (SDGs) set the ways to go, and the circular economy principles underlined the 'green' strategies to be employed. However, in practice, there is still much to do, especially in developing countries, where open burning and open dumping still represent the common way of plastic waste disposal. This review aims to analyse current plastic waste circular approaches in low-middle income settings. Seven countries were selected based on the economic level and data availability from the authors, and analysed to collect and critically discuss the actions implemented at a city level. Examples of waste minimization and recycling strategies, selective collection systems and public campaigns are reported from Africa, Asia and Latin America. First, a background analysis related to physical and governance aspects of municipal solid waste management systems of the chosen settings was conducted. The assessment was focused on the treatment processes or minimization actions. Then, the applicability of the projects to achieve the SDGs was commented on. The outcomes of the research underline the need to: (1) scale up small-scale and pilot projects, (2) disseminate good practices in more low- to middle-income settings, (3) create synergies among international partners for further replications in cities. Urgent solutions to plastic waste pollution are needed. The review presented practical actions to be implemented now to boost plastic waste circularity in developing cities.

Bad or worse? Applying critical theory to explore the impacts of Payatas dumpsite closure on the former waste pickers.

Numerous garbage dumpsites worldwide have been closed down to address the safety, health and environmental hazards facing waste pickers, such as potential landsides, diseases and pollution. As a result, the environment surrounding the (former) waste pickers may have been safer and cleaner. While the closure of garbage dumpsites may be an act of social justice to protect waste pickers, however, in some cases, the incomes and living standards of former waste pickers who continue to reside at these sites have been aggravated. Drawing on critical theory, and using observations and interviews, this case study examined the post-dumpsite-closure situation of Payatas in the Philippines. This study augments previous research on critical urban and regional studies through the presentation of a meta-critical theory by expanding, critiquing and reconceptualizing critical theory to address the problematic post-dumpsite situation created through the closure of the dumpsite.

Political Psychological and Sociocultural Determinants of Compliance with COVID-19 Emergency Measures Among Waste Pickers in an Iranian Sub-urban Slum Community.

In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, compliance with government regulations is a tremendous challenge in the effort to curb the viral transmission. The fact that specific communities and people across the world continue to ignore government regulations of COVID-19 is a crucial issue to address. Researchers sought to examine the political psychological and sociocultural determinants of adherence to COVID-19-related law and policy measures among waste pickers in a sub-urban slum community in Iran. A cross-sectional survey of 362 waste pickers from two municipalities in the countryside of Tehran, Iran, was conducted between January and May 2022. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict the significant difference between the direct or indirect effects of political psychological and sociocultural variables on compliance with COVID-19 emergency measures. Confidence intervals were estimated using the bootstrap method. The findings supported the proposed model. The results indicated that political ideology (ß = - 0.13, 95% CI - 0.29 to 0.02), individualism worldview (ß = - 0.14, 95% CI - 0.32 to 0.07), fatalism (ß = - 0.18, 95% CI - 0.40 to 0.04), health literacy (ß = 0.16, 95%CI - 0.05 to 0.37) and prosociality (ß = 0.09, 95%CI 0.03-0.13) exert an indirect effect on compliance with the COVID-19 emergency measures through both trust in government and trust in science and scientific community. This study has implications for authorities in ensuring adherence to governmental orders for COVID-19 outbreak. A democracy-based and human rights-based approach and a flexible framework for proceeding more equitable COVID-19 legal and government regulations is critical to an effective and acceptable health response to COVID-19. Instituting slum emergency planning committees, incorporating the informal providers into all pandemic response plans in every urban informal settlement and providing an immediate guarantee of payments to waste packers will be indispensable.

COVID-19 e as catadoras de materiais recicláveis: precarização da vida e saúde frente ao medo da fome ou o risco do contágio / COVID-19 and waste pickers: precariousness of life and health in the face of fear of hunger or the risk of contagion

Este artigo aborda as experiências das catadoras de materiais recicláveis diante das implicações provocadas pela pandemia da COVID-19 em uma associação no Distrito Federal (DF). O objetivo principal foi compreender a situação de vida precária das mulheres catadoras inseridas em uma desigualdade sistêmica e institucional do capitalismo. Para tanto, foi realizada uma etnografia que combinou técnicas de observação, interação e escuta (conversas informais e entrevistas semiestruturadas). Através disso, permitiu-se o acompanhamento do cotidiano de vida dessas mulheres, desde a instauração de uma das maiores crises sanitária da humanidade até o período do retorno às atividades laborais. Os resultados revelaram que as catadoras estão inseridas na lógica de precarização da vida sendo que as condições foram agravadas com a chegada do novo coronavírus quando aumentou a vulnerabilidade relacionada ao vínculo de trabalho informal, a insalubridade e os riscos à saúde inerentes à ocupação e às dificuldades de acesso aos serviços de saúde e assistência social. O contexto mostra uma lida complexa relacionada ao medo do desemprego, às dificuldades e às barreiras do ingresso no mercado de trabalho e de manutenção da própria subsistência. Sobretudo, isso agravou-se de forma mais intensa diante da ausência de políticas e programas voltados para elas: o Estado fez pouco para a redução dos impactos da pandemia em suas vidas. Assim, a crise sanitária instaurada refletiu a fragilidade delas em face ao ciclo da reciclagem. Este fato demonstra a necessidade urgente de ações governamentais que abarquem esse grupo social tanto no momento da pandemia quanto pós-pandemia da COVID-19, visando superar a invisibilidade social

This article addresses the experiences of women waste pickers in the face of the implications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in an association in the Distrito Federal (DF). The main objective was to understand the precarious life situation of women waste pickers inserted in a systemic and institutional inequality of capitalism. For that, an ethnography was carried out that combined observation and listening techniques (informal conversations and semi-structured interviews). Through this, it was possible to monitor the daily life of these women, from the onset of one of the greatest health crises in humanity until the period of return to work activities. The results revealed that the waste pickers are inserted in the logic of precariousness of life, and the conditions were aggravated with the arrival of the new coronavirus when the vulnerability related to the informal work bond, the unhealthy conditions and health risks inherent to the occupation and the difficulties increased. access to health and social assistance services. The context shows a complex deal related to the fear of unemployment, the difficulties and barriers to entering the labor market and maintaining one's livelihood. Above all, it worsened more intensely in the face of the absence of policies and programs aimed at them, the State did little to reduce the impacts of the pandemic on their lives. Thus, the established health crisis reflected their fragility in the face of the recycling cycle. This fact demonstrates the urgent need for government actions to embrace this social group, both during the pandemic and post-pandemic of COVID-19, aiming to overcome social invisibility

Working with Waste: Hazards and Mitigation Strategies Used by Waste Pickers in the Inner City of Durban.

Informal waste pickers in cities across the Global South divert significant amounts of tonnage from landfills. This diversion contributes towards a sustainable environment and better public health practices. Informal workers globally derive livelihoods from collecting, sorting, and selling recyclable waste. In South Africa, there is growing recognition of the valuable work that waste pickers carry out. Despite this, however, these informal workers remain largely unrecognised, are often stigmatised, and suffer from a lack of social protection linked to their work. This lack of recognition and protection creates specific occupational hazards for waste pickers. Using an ethnographic method, this study explores the physical and socio-psychological hazards that emerge from waste picking on the streets of the inner city of Durban, in South Africa. We found that the waste pickers, the majority of whom were women, developed mitigation strategies against these risks. A better understanding of how the occupational hazards of waste picking are shaped by the local context of working on the street enables the recognition of the knowledge waste pickers already hold regarding mitigation strategies. Insight into occupational hazards are important to consider if the municipal integration of waste pickers is to happen in a way that ensures access to social protections for these informal workers.

Nutritional Status, Dietary Intake and Dietary Diversity of Landfill Waste Pickers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the nutritional status, dietary intake and dietary diversity of waste pickers in South Africa, a socioeconomically vulnerable group who makes a significant contribution to planetary health through salvaging recyclable material from dumpsites. Participants were weighed and measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). Dietary intake was recorded using a standardised multipass 24 h recall. Individual dietary diversity scores were derived from the dietary recall data. Data were collected from nine purposefully selected landfill sites located in six rural towns and three cities in four of the nine provinces in South Africa, providing nutritional status information on 386 participants and dietary intake on 358 participants after data cleaning and coding. The mean BMI of the study sample was 23.22 kg/m2. Underweight was more prevalent among males (22.52%) whilst 56.1% of the females were overweight or obese. The average individual dietary diversity score was 2.46, with 50% scoring 2 or less. Dietary intake patterns were characterised as monotonous, starch-based and lacking vegetables and fruits. The nutritional status, dietary intake and dietary diversity of waste pickers reflect their precarious economic status, highlighting the need for health, social and economic policies to improve access and affordability of nutritious food.

A Perspective of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Plastic Waste Management and Cooperatives of Waste Pickers in Brazil.

Brazil is the fourth largest producer of plastic waste in the world. Among all the challenges the country had faced in the development of public policies for the banning of single-use plastics, the new coronavirus pandemic scenario determined the suspension of these laws indefinitely. In 2020, Brazil became the global epicenter of COVID-19. This scenario changed the habit and behavior of Brazilian consumers, who increased the consumption of plastics due to their importance in applications as protective material. The country also has social problems related to waste management that depend mainly on waste pickers. These workers need social visibility and protection not only to face the current health crisis but also to guarantee their income and survival. This work aims to discuss the increase in single-use plastics that are not intended for recycling and the respective environmental, economic, and social impacts for the country. We demonstrate the lack of data on waste management in Brazil and highlight the importance of the social inclusion of waste pickers for a circular economy. Especially after the change of scenario with the COVID-19 pandemic, the country must have adequate planning and improvements in waste management, recycling programs, and political intervention to raising awareness among the population and guaranteeing social rights for waste pickers.

Challenges confronting waste pickers in Indonesia: An on-field analysis.

This article presents the informal recycling sector's (IRS) social, economic driving factors in five cities in Indonesia and their contribution to waste management in the cities. An on-field analysis was conducted by random and incidental sampling method of questionnaire administration followed by observation. Among the respondents (n = 178), 79% of individuals were waste pickers, 15% were small-scale waste collectors, and 6% were medium-scale waste collectors. The majority of the waste pickers sampled are male (79%). The amount of waste collected by individual waste pickers is 43.87 kg person-1 day-1, a corresponding recycling rate of approximately 12%, and an average monthly income of US$91.7. Gender differences are apparent as the male waste pickers generated higher incomes than those earned by their female counterparts (US$128.3 for men and US$69.7 for women) even as their average work hours are similar to that of the men (7.8 and 7.6 hours day-1, respectively). Economic motives are the respondents' primary driving factors as moving to large cities accompanied by their family members. The study concluded that the IRS plays substantial contribution to waste management; further integrating them into the waste management system via IRS association, additional investment, formulation of law and policies and efforts by municipalities can give various benefits for involved stakeholders, the community and the environment. The results can serve as a significant reference for improving the solid waste recycling system and informal sector management in Indonesian cities and other developing countries.

Hepatitis B and C prevalence in waste pickers: a global meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this research was to use a meta-analysis to understand the prevalence of hepatitis B or C in waste pickers worldwide. METHODS: Epidemiological studies on hepatitis B and C in waste pickers were included adopting a systematic review with meta-analysis. Each selected article had its quality scored by all authors, evaluated according to the Loney's criteria, and evaluated for quality and bias verified with a funnel plot. RESULTS: After employing Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, there were 12 studies used for this meta-analysis. The rate of hepatitis B seropositivity was 0.15 (95% CI 0.10-0.20), and hepatitis C was 0.08 (95% CI 0.04-0.12). This information suggests that waste pickers are exposed to many risks associated with poor quality of life working conditions as well as low health literacy rates. CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis confirm the vulnerability of waste pickers to hepatitis B and C infection and reinforce the importance of using personal protective equipment and immunizing workers.

Application of a 'Recycling Exchange' instrument to compensate waste pickers in Brazil via a first payment for urban environmental services programme.

This article presents an approach to compensate waste pickers in the informal sector of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, via a Payment for Urban Environmental Services (PUES) instrument, called 'Recycling Exchange'. The aim is to evaluate the effects of this instrument on the amount of waste diverted from landfill and reintroduced into the production chain, and to increase recognition of waste pickers' contributions to the state's economy. It was found that the 'Recycling Exchange' met the fundamental objectives of a PUES: the double social and economic benefits of the social inclusion of waste pickers in the execution of the public policy for solid waste management, and inducing (in the case of glass), ensuring and stabilising (plastic and paper) continuity of the activity of selling recyclables in times of wide price fluctuations for these recyclables. The instrument enhanced the provision of this environmental service and the positive externalities associated with recycling.

Hepatitis C virus infection in garbage pickers of different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a significant health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. Medical municipal waste pickers are at higher risk of exposure to infectious viral diseases. The current study aimed to explore HCV infection in different waste collectors. The objective of the current study was to investigate the incidence of HCV infection and associated risks among the waste collectors of five districts of Malakand Divisions and Bajaur district (old Bajaur agency) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. During the study period (May-December 2017), blood samples were collected from 300 waste handlers and tested for anti-HCV antibodies using the ICT method. The results obtained from the data were analyzed statistically using SPSS 20 version. In this study, we included 300 males aged 9 to 76 years, which means 27.31 ± 11.9 years. The prevalence of HCV was 3.3% (10/300). Among the positive cases, HCV infection was slightly higher in married persons than in unmarried (3% vs. 0.33%, %, PV < 0.01, odds ratio 4.73, 95% CI =2.2-9.8). A high infection rate was reported in waste scavengers from the district Swat, followed by those in the Bajaur district. Needle prick injuries and barehanded practices were the significant risk factors for infected cases. Our findings highlight the need for personal protective equipment. It is suggested that all garbage collectors should be trained in handling waste to reduce infection.

Environmental Justice and Circular Economy: Analyzing Justice for Waste Pickers in Upcoming Circular Economy in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Sustainable development (SD) presents three pillars: environment, equality, and economy. Many scholars agree that circular economy (CE) currently displays a social gap, as most studies so far focus mostly on economic aspects and, occasionally, environmental too. Although some developed countries and especially the EU heavily promote it, there is little possibility of developing countries accepting CE unless it can fill what it is lacking. This study suggests the use of Schlosberg's tripartite environmental justice (EJ) perspective to complete the concept of CE, bringing it closer to that of SD. Due to their significant contribution to both circularity and the environment, and, likewise, due to their poor social conditions, this paper focuses on the social group of WPs, mainly in Brazil. After conducting 19 semi-structured interviews, EJ was applied to the case of the Ecopoints in Fortaleza (northeastern Brazil) and each element-recognition, distribution, and participation-detected conflicts, such as underappreciation, continuously reduced access to recyclables, distrust, and miscommunication. If CE is successful in LMCs, it will heavily rely on WPs. The analysis suggests that it is necessary to recognize their contributions in order to value their work and consequently, promote their social inclusion.

Waste Pickers and Their Practices of Insurgency and Environmental Stewardship.

Informed by different grassroots learning and educational practices engaged in waste management, and drawing from the concepts of insurgent citizenship and environmental stewardship, we examine the role of waste picker organizations and movements in creating new pathways towards more sustainable environmental waste governance. Two case studies (Argentina and Brazil) demonstrate how waste pickers inform and educate the general public and raise the awareness of socio-environmental questions related to waste management. Different educational practices are used as strategies to confront citizens with their waste: to see waste as a consumption problem, resource, and income source. Our paper draws on grassroots learning (social movement learning and insurgent learning) and education (stewardship) aimed at the transformation of waste practices. We argue that waste pickers play an important role in knowledge production promoting recycling, in landfilling less and recovering more resources. We conclude that waste pickers act as insurgent citizens and also are environmental stewards.