Living income phase 3 case studies
In 2024, the Living Income study piloted a methodology with local NGOs to assess the concept of a “living income” for informal waste workers with the goal to create a practical methodology to promote the provision of a living income within these supply chains. Case surveys were developed in 2023 in locations in India, Ghana and Brazil.
This toolkit was developed in the first half of 2024, as part of Phase 2 of the Living Income Assessment. It has been updated for Phase 3 of the Living Income Assessment. The toolkit is open to be used by anyone and can be used under the CC 4.0 license.
The purpose of the document is to provide a step-by-step methodology that local NGOs and researchers can use to assess living incomes for informal waste picker communities.
19 – 24 million
Informal workers, making up ~0.5 – 1% of the global workforce
60%
Informal workers account for
60% of global plastic collected for recycling
15 – 20%
Informal workers jointly collect and process 15-20% of metropolitan waste on a global scale
Despite their indispensable role, informal workers often remain undervalued and underpaid in many nations. This study underscores the critical importance of recognizing waste workers and providing them with a living income.
ABOUT THE REPORT
A Living Income for the Informal Waste Sector highlights the often overlooked contribution of informal waste pickers to waste management systems and calls for improvements to their living and working conditions. It advocates for the implementation of a “living income” and leverages the Anker methodology to evaluate waste pickers’ earnings. The report reveals the gap between the current incomes of informal waste pickers in Brazil, Ghana and India and what constitutes a decent standard of living locally, emphasizing the need for policy changes to address this.
The report recommends the inclusion of clear provisions in the Global Plastics Treaty on waste management policies and extended producer responsibility to support the rights and livelihoods of informal waste workers. It also urges governments to legally recognize informal waste picking, ensure access to public services and include the input of waste pickers in policymaking.
Finally, the report introduces the Fair Circularity Initiative and its Principles for safeguarding the human rights of workers in the informal waste sector, calling on companies and stakeholders to join forces in supporting waste pickers towards a just transition.
View the study launch webinar
Explore the recording of the release webinar hosted by the Fair Circularity Initiative and Systemiq, unveiling the ‘A Living Income for the Informal Waste Sector‘ study. See insights shared by the Systemiq, WIEGO, Hasiru Dala and others on the just transition and a living income for informal waste pickers.
Next Steps
The Global Plastics Treaty presents a unique opportunity towards a just transition for informal waste pickers
- Explicit inclusion and concrete targets for waste pickers’ rights, support of associations and cooperatives, and legal protection
- An annex should delineate key principles for designing effective Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to promote and operationalize a just transition
- Involvement of waste pickers and other informal workers in the establishment of these targets and provisions
Local policy makers and companies should act to close income gaps
Local & National Governments
- Recognizing waste picking as a legitimate occupation
- Encouraging the formation of cooperatives and associations
- Working on access to healthcare, housing, education
- Strengthen EPR frameworks to include waste pickers & cooperatives
- Supplying essential equipment for safety and better earnings
- Improving the access to finance and cooperative funding entities
Companies
- Recognizing linkages to informal waste sectors in their value chains
- Applying UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights (UNGPs)
- Adopting Fair Circularity Principles in value chains & policy frameworks
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