Environmental activists are advocating for a national policy to integrate waste pickers into Zimbabwe’s formal waste management system, a move they believe could yield significant economic and environmental benefits for the country.
A recent policy brief by the Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights (MIHR) and the Community Water Alliance (CWA) highlights studies from several African countries demonstrating substantial cost reductions in waste management when waste pickers are formally recognized.
“Zimbabwean local authorities could experience a significant decrease in waste management costs,” the brief states.
“Waste pickers divert recyclable materials from landfills, reducing the volume of waste that municipalities must manage. For instance, in South Africa, waste pickers save municipalities between R309.2 million and R748.8 million annually in landfill airspace costs.”
The brief also notes the environmental benefits of integrating waste pickers.
“By recovering recyclable materials, waste pickers help reduce environmental pollution and conserve natural resources. They play a crucial role in establishing a sustainable circular waste economy—collecting, sorting, and selling recyclable materials. This aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which promotes converting plastic waste into recycled products through targeted incentives.”
The organisations argue that formalising the role of waste pickers could help address the service delivery challenges faced by many local authorities, particularly in water, sewerage, and waste management.
“Integrating waste pickers into the formal system would not only enhance urban waste management strategies but also contribute to the development of sustainable, clean cities,” the brief notes.
Additionally, the policy brief highlights the potential for poverty alleviation. A 2021 MIHR survey in Bulawayo found that 89% of female waste pickers rely solely on waste collection as their primary source of income, with many earning less than US$20 per month. Formal integration would improve their working conditions and increase their earnings.
The organisations also emphasise the climate justice benefits of recognising waste pickers.
“Waste pickers help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by diverting organic and recyclable materials from landfills, preventing the decomposition of waste that generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. For example, in Colombia, waste pickers have been shown to prevent the emission of over 407,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.”
