Waste pickers are central to reuse economies — yet their work often remains invisible.

This new publication highlights their contributions in Italy and why recognition in public policy is key for a just transition.

📄 Available in English & Italian.
📲 Scan the QR to read.

#WastePickers #IAWP

Cebu landfill landslide exposes ‘broken waste management,’ groups say Movement for a Livable Cebu executive director Joel Lee says that while LGUs have made solid waste management plans, too many remain just blueprints without action

In January, a #landfill landslide in Cebu, Philippines, killed several #wastepickers. These deaths are unacceptable and avoidable. Improving waste management requires centering the safety of the workers. www.rappler.com/philippines/...

♻️💚 This #InternationalWastePickersDay 2026 we unite in Dandora, Kenia, for Dignity, Safety & Recognition. From testimonies to a solidarity march ✊🏽 No just transition or circular economy without waste pickers 🌍✨ #JustTransition #WastePickers

Waste pickers drive global recycling and circular economy but often lack fair pay and protections. Research reveals 8 integration paths, mostly in Latin America, highlighting the urgent need for inclusion, fair contracts, and new support models. #uvic #waste #wastepickers #environment

From the collaborative workshops to the experimental open laboratory. Methodological creativity in long-term research with waste pickers in Greater Buenos Aires Since 2004, we have been implementing collaborative research workshops to analyze the organization of a waste picker´s cooperative and its working process. Accompanying their techno-productive traj...

🔨Part of “The Making of Methodologies/Methodologies of Making. When Precarity Matters” Cluster"

#Methods #Collaborative #Experimental #WastePickers #Materiality #Tapuya8 #OpenAccess

🌱 A major victory for grassroots climate solutions in Chile!
This community-led model is part of our global work to show how frontline #wastepickers can scale real climate solutions with dignity and justice.

Support more victories like this:
www.no-burn.org/donate/

#GivingTuesday #ClimateJustice

♻️ Waste pickers are ready to lead organic waste management — but they need justice: stable contracts, segregation at source, strong laws, and real investment.

The models exist. Now we scale them.

#IAWP #WastePickers #JustTransition

The hidden role of waste pickers in climate resilience - Nature Human Behaviour Waste pickers are often invisible in climate discourse. Waste specialist Sonia Dias discusses their essential part in climate resilience and what we can learn from their experience.

Waste pickers are often invisible in climate discourse. Sonia Dias discusses their role in climate resilience and what we can learn from their lived experience. #wastepickers #ClimateResilience #COP30 [3/14] www.nature.com/articles/s41...

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🔨Part of “The Making of Methodologies/Methodologies of Making. When Precarity Matters” Cluster

#Methods #Collaborative #Experimental #WastePickers #Materiality #Tapuya8 #OpenAccess

📢 We’re hiring! 🌎♻️

The International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP) is looking for a Research Coordinator to lead global studies on waste pickers’ rights, livelihoods & climate justice.

🗓️ Apply by Oct 31, 2025
🔗 bit.ly/3WRag0g

#IAWP #WastePickers #Hiring #JustTransition #GlobalSouth

🌎 North American Waste Pickers Exchange 🇨🇦

Reclaimers from across the continent met in Vancouver to share strategies, strengthen reclaimer-led recycling, and push for fair handling fees & dignified work ✊♻️

Together we build justice from the ground up. 💚

#WastePickers #IAWP

♻️ Please share, cite, and connect if you're working on waste, informality, justice, or the political economy of the environment!
#wastepickers #PoliticalEcology #EnvironmentalJustice #WastePickers #GlobalSouth #EcologicalEconomics #WasteStudies #UrbanStudies #JustTransition #ContestedWaste
/4end

Our new book is finally out!! 🚨📚

➡️ "Contested Waste: Environmental Conflicts and Waste Picker Resistance in The Global South"

It was a privilege to work with @federicodemaria.bsky.social and Lucia Fernandez on this edited volume exploring the marginalisation and the struggles of #wastepickers 🧵⤵️

Waste Picker Leaders Hold First-Ever Africa Regional Meeting In Accra – AMC News24 Waste Picker Leaders Hold First-Ever Africa Regional Meeting in Accra

🌍♻️ Historic milestone in Accra! Over 50 leaders from 17 orgs in 11 African countries gathered for the 1st Africa Regional Meeting of Waste Picker Leaders, building solidarity, advancing gender equity & demanding recognition in the circular economy. ✊🌱 #IAWP #WastePickers

🇧🇷✨ At the IAWP African Regional Meeting, H.E. Mariana Madeira, Ambassador of Brazil to Ghana, and Deputy Head of Mission Alexandre de Pádua Ramos Souto, celebrated Brazil’s Independence Week by honoring waste pickers’ fight for the environment. 🌍♻️ #IAWP #WastePickers

How Waste Pickers Are Reshaping the Global Plastics Treaty

A thread 🧵

✍️ David Sathuluri

#WastePickers #PlasticPollution #RecyclingWorkers

🌍✨ At the African Regional Meeting, Amadou Mbodj of Fundación Avina highlighted waste pickers’ vital role in inclusive recycling & shared Avina’s commitment to strengthening leadership, resilience & recognition across Africa. 🙌♻️ #WastePickers #IAWP

📢 Sept 17 | 14:45-15:45 at #UNRBHRF2025

40M waste pickers & 49M homeworkers keep global recycling & production running—but remain invisible & unprotected.

Join us to explore how brands, govts & media can fund a #JustTransition & recognize workers as essential, not expendable.

#WastePickers

🌍 From Geneva at the #PlasticsTreaty negotiations, waste pickers are making it clear: financing is key to justice.

Severino Lima Jr., president of the IAWP, says it loud and clear.

#WastePickers #JustTransition #CircularEconomy #EnvironmentalJustice #IAWP #PlasticsTreaty #ClimateJustice

🌍♻️ Waste pickers at the #PlasticsTreaty talks in Geneva: recognition isn’t enough — we need a mandatory Just Transition.

💬 “Without waste pickers, the treaty fails.”
💬 “Recognition is justice.”
💬 “We turn waste into livelihood.”

#JustTransition #WastePickers #CircularEconomy

SiPeng with @C4Center speaks about the need for the #PlasticsTreaty to cover #wastetrade provisions that are not covered under the #BaselConvention and better text to protect #wastepickers -
📍@GAIAnoburn #INC52 press conference

Before a crowd of Indigenous Peoples, waste pickers, unionized workers, environmental defenders & activists, John Chweya — IAWP delegate — sent a clear message: we cannot accept a Global Plastics Treaty that leaves vulnerable communities behind. 🌍✊

#WastePickers #ClimateJustice #JustTransition

Beyond negotiations, building alliances. ♻️🌍

IAWP delegation met with Brazil’s Ambassador in Geneva, Tovar da Silva Nunes, and UNEP’s Inger Andersen to discuss the #PlasticsTreaty, the role of waste pickers, and financing a just, inclusive transition.

#WastePickers #JustTransition #CircularEconomy

Six people, seated, participate in a press conference.

Wide-shot of press conference at Global Plastics Treaty. People seated at tables with banners in the background.

Thank you to the speakers who shared powerful testimonies & to the 100+ people at today's Affected Groups Allied for Justice Press Conference at #inc5_2! We demand #justtransition for Indigenous Peoples, #wastepickers & other frontline workers, & fenceline communities! #globalplasticstreaty

From Colombia to Geneva, Silvio Ruiz Grisales — waste pickers leader and part of the IAWP delegation — calls for action.

Let’s send strength and solidarity to the International Alliance of Waste Pickers as they fight for a just and ambitious plastics treaty! 💪🌍♻️

#WastePickers #PlasticsTreaty

IAWP will continue to push for a plastics treaty that is fair, inclusive, and effective — one that prioritizes people and planet over profit.

✊♻️ The future is ours to shape.
#IAWP #INC5 #CircularEconomy #UNEP #JustTransition #WastePickers #ClimateJustice

Three JTA team members stand side-by-side in a UN meeting hall in Geneva, holding the JTA banner.

JTA members are in #geneva for the #GlobalPlasticsTreaty talks! We're working toward #JustTransition, centering Indigenous Peoples, frontline workers, including #wastepickers, & fenceline communities, & saying "no!" to #FalseSolutions (plastic credits & "chemical recycling")!
#plasticpollution #INC5

Plastic surrounds several written points about why treaty talks matter

Plastics display outside of global treaty talks site in Geneva

Post 2/2 🌎 #GlobalPlasticsTreaty negotiations are underway in #Geneva this week and next! 📢Learn about the process and our involvement, analysis, and critiques, by following us @jtalliance.bsky.social and @ienearth.bsky.social!
#inc5 #IndigenousJustTransition #wastepickers
@gcdcj.bsky.social

Loudspeaker and Earth in plastic bag decorate written text

Bullet points with some underlining for emphasis of key concepts and ideas

Meeting hall at UN in Geneva

Caution symbols in red and yellow, surrounding written text

Post 1/2 🌎 #GlobalPlasticsTreaty negotiations are underway in #Geneva this week and next! 📢Learn about the process and our involvement, analysis, and critiques, by following us @jtalliance.bsky.social and @ienearth.bsky.social!
#plasticpollution #inc5 #IndigenousJustTransition #wastepickers

Waste pickers are here, watching, speaking, demanding. This treaty must work for the people who make recycling happen.

#NoJustTransitionWithoutUs #INC5 #WastePickers