Informal Sector Recyclers: Inclusion for More Sustainable Waste Management
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Date
2014-06
Authors
Bursch, Frances Maloney
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Though invisible to most, unsustainable waste production and management lie at
the epicenter of the planets' two most pressing challenges today: climate change and the
impending exhaustion of natural resources. An unlikely community in Santiago,
Dominican Republic has assumed an important role in extracting recyclable material
from the waste stream for recycling. Recyclers (also known as waste-pickers or
scavengers) make their livings salvaging recyclable materials from the waste streamusually
from landfills- and selling it back into the market to be recycled. The work of
recyclers around the world has positive environmental impacts, reducing methane
emissions by minimizing the amount of material ending up in landfills, as well as
reducing the necessity for the extraction of virgin materials. Locally, recyclers in
Santiago do important work diverting about 3 percent of the total waste back into the
market every day. Recyclers have the potential to even more effectively improve the
sustainability and reduce health detriments of the waste management system through
increased collaboration with the municipality. Research was conducted by way of 50
interviews in the neighborhoods closest to the landfill. Results demonstrate that though
recyclers work in the industry for the income it provides them, they are aware of the
positive environmental impacts they have. Data exposes the important information that
extreme poverty and environmental awareness are not mutually exclusive. With
increased understanding of the recyclers, formal inclusion and thus improvements in the
quality of life of the recyclers and the efficiency and sustain ability of the waste
management system are more likely.
Description
78 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of International Studies and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, Spring 2014.
Keywords
Recycling, Informal Recycling, Dominican Republic, Scavengers, Waste Management, Sustainable, Landfill