Case study: Don't throw it all away – Wastepickers in Bogotá

Summary

This transcript highlights the journey of waste pickers in Colombia, focusing on their historical discrimination and the struggle for recognition and formalization. Beginning with the speaker’s third-generation involvement in waste picking, it emphasizes their critical role in recycling, with over 60,000 families working in this sector. Through legal battles and collective organization, waste pickers gained recognition and better working conditions, but face challenges due to competition with large waste management corporations. The speaker advocates for a special period of exclusivity for waste pickers to strengthen their cooperatives and secure their future in the industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Waste picking is a multi-generational activity in Colombia, with the speaker being part of the third or fourth generation of waste pickers.
• 😀 The waste picker community in Colombia is large, with more than 60,000 families involved in recycling efforts.
• 😀 Waste pickers play a crucial role in recycling by collecting materials like cardboard, plastics, paper, and metals, preventing these from ending up in landfills.
• 😀 The knowledge waste pickers possess about materials ensures Colombia's high recycling rate, making their work unique and valuable.
• 😀 Historically, waste pickers faced discrimination and were seen as part of the problem rather than part of the solution, often even being attacked by the police.
• 😀 The National Association of Waste Pickers of Colombia (ANR) was founded in 1990 and now includes over 130 organizations, representing between 13,000 and 15,000 waste pickers.
• 😀 Waste pickers began to organize through cooperatives and associations, which helped them fight for legal rights and resist discriminatory policies.
• 😀 Through legal battles, waste pickers secured over seven statements from Colombia’s Constitutional Court, establishing their right to work in the recycling industry.
• 😀 The formalization of waste pickers' work has led to improved economic stability, with some waste pickers now earning a second income from taxes paid by citizens for public services.
• 😀 Formalization has also enabled waste pickers to improve their living conditions, enhance their operations, and compete in a more structured market.
• 😀 The waste pickers are now calling for a special regulatory period to allow them time to strengthen their cooperatives and prevent large companies from pushing them out of the market.

Q & A

What is the historical role of waste pickers in Bogotá, Colombia?

Waste pickers in Bogotá, Colombia have been a significant part of the recycling system for generations. The narrator is the third, almost fourth, generation of waste pickers, with their grandfather being one of the first people to create 'zorras' (waste pickers). Waste pickers are crucial for recycling and have been doing this work for as long as the narrator can remember.

How many families in Colombia rely on waste picking?

Over 60,000 families in Colombia rely on waste picking for their livelihood. This highlights the scale of the informal waste picking economy in the country.

Why are waste pickers considered essential in Colombia?

Waste pickers are essential because they collect and sort recyclable materials like cardboard, plastics, paper, and metals. Without their work, much of this waste would end up in landfills or dump sites, significantly harming the environment.

How did waste pickers in Colombia face discrimination in the past?

Waste pickers in Colombia were once heavily discriminated against and even attacked by the police. They were seen as part of the problem, not the solution, in waste management.

What is the National Association of Waste Pickers of Colombia, and what role does it play?

The National Association of Waste Pickers of Colombia was founded in 1990 and serves to unite waste picker organizations across the country. The association works on organizing waste pickers, improving their working conditions, and fighting for their rights.

What legal achievements have waste pickers secured in Colombia?

Waste pickers in Colombia have secured over seven rulings from the Constitutional Court, affirming their rights. These legal victories have been crucial in their fight for recognition and formalization within the waste management system.

How has the formalization of waste picking improved the lives of waste pickers?

The formalization of waste picking has provided waste pickers with better financial stability. They now receive two forms of income: one from the sale of recyclable materials and another from taxes paid by citizens for public services. This has helped to improve their economic situation and living conditions.

How has formalization impacted the perception of waste pickers in society?

The formalization has helped change the societal perception of waste pickers, who were once considered 'disposable people'. Now, they are recognized as service providers, which has helped reduce discrimination and increased their social acceptance.

What challenges do waste pickers still face despite formalization?

Despite the progress made through formalization, waste pickers still face challenges. These include competition from large waste management corporations, such as Veolia, and the complexities of operating within a competitive market.

What do waste pickers demand from the government?

Waste pickers demand a special regime that would allow them exclusive access to recyclables for a period of 10 to 20 years. This would give them time to reinforce their cooperatives and strengthen their position in the recycling industry, without being displaced by large companies.