The informal waste sector is the backbone of waste management systems across many developing countries, including Tanzania. Waste pickers, who operate at the grassroots level, play a crucial role in recycling and resource recovery. On a global scale waste pickers are responsible for collecting and processing 15-20% of metropolitan waste and almost 60% of the plastic which is recovered for recycling. The role of waste pickers in the waste management value chain can not be overlooked. Their collective efforts are shaping the waste management ecosystem by diverting a substantial amount of waste from ending in landfills and thus reducing methane emissions. Despite the critical role that waste pickers play in safeguarding our planet from the adverse effects of waste, they still receive little compensation for their work.
A Comparative Analysis Across The Globe
Globally, numerous studies have examined the work of waste pickers, consistently highlighting the low income earned by those in the informal sector. One such comprehensive report, conducted by Systemiq in 2024 using the Anker Methodology, delves into the concept of a living income in the informal waste sector. This report regards a living income as a standard of living with all components essential for a decent life. This report considers the costs associated with a nutritious diet, adequate housing, healthcare, and education.
In Africa, waste pickers’ income remains relatively low across many countries. For instance, a study by Viljoen et al. (2018) in South Africa highlights that the income of waste pickers is low and influenced by factors such as the quantity and price of recyclable materials collected, city size, gender, age, marital status, education level, country of origin, group work, frequency of selling recyclables, trolley usage, prior full-time employment experience, hours worked, and starting time. Similarly, a study by Medina (2007) in Egypt found that waste pickers, often referred to as the “Zabbaleen,” earn a low income, which is further exacerbated by a lack of formal recognition and access to social services. In Ghana, research by Oteng-Ababio (2014) highlighted that waste pickers in Accra earn significantly less than the national minimum wage, with income largely dependent on the type and amount of recyclable materials collected.
In Tanzania, few studies have explored the income earned by waste pickers. To address this gap, TakaNiAjira Foundation conducted a survey in 2023 across eight regions in mainland Tanzania, including Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza, Iringa, Mbeya, Dodoma, and Zanzibar Island. This survey aimed to understand the income waste pickers earn for their work. While it is indisputable that waste pickers deserve a fair income to meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life, the reality is often different. The survey revealed significant income disparities among waste pickers, varying by location. Nonetheless, the fundamental principle remains that, irrespective of locality, waste pickers deserve decent pay for their work.
Current State of Income Earnings Among Waste Pickers
The survey collected responses from 269 waste pickers and revealed a wide range of daily earnings.
The results depict the significant financial hardships faced by waste pickers in Tanzania, highlighting a concerning income distribution that emphasizes their economic vulnerability. 35% of the respondents earn between TZS 3000 to TZS 5000 per day, this is equivalent to USD 1.11 – USD 1.85, which is below the poverty line of $2.15 per person per day as stipulated per the world bank. The survey findings also indicate that more than 50% of waste pickers fall far below the poverty line. This entails that their wellbeing is at greater risk since as a result of their poverty they fail to access social safety nets such as health insurance and pensions further exacerbating their vulnerability.
The survey further revealed that waste pickers operating in landfills tend to earn relatively higher incomes compared to their counterparts who work on the streets. This income disparity is largely attributed to the greater volume and variety of recyclable materials found in dumpsites, which provide more opportunities for collection and sale. As a result, many landfill waste pickers have established permanent residences in close proximity to these sites, allowing them to maximize their collection efforts and earnings.
Additionally, the survey highlighted a significant gender disparity in the landfill workforce, with a noticeably higher number of male waste pickers compared to female waste pickers. This imbalance is primarily due to security and safety concerns associated with working in landfills. The conditions in these areas are often hazardous, with limited oversight and protection, making them less secure environments, particularly for women. Consequently, many female waste pickers choose to avoid working in landfills, opting instead to operate on the streets, where the environment, though still challenging, is perceived to be somewhat safer and more manageable for them.
Amount and Type of Waste Collected Daily
In an attempt to understand the magnanimity of the work done by waste pickers, the survey delved to explore the quantity and type of waste that is collected by waste pickers on a daily basis.It is worth noting that the quantity collected by an individual waste picker varies depending on their locality. Those operating in landfills collect more waste compared to those operating in the streets. The findings revealed the significant effort waste pickers put into their daily routines, highlighting a workforce that diligently manages large amounts of waste. Every day, 31.2% of these waste pickers collect between 1-20 kg of waste, while a slightly larger group, 32.3%, gathers 20-50 kg. Surprisingly, 20.4% handle between 50-100 kg of waste daily, reflecting the physical demands of their work. Even more astonishing, 7.1% collect 100-200 kg, 9.7% manage 200-1000 kg, and a dedicated 2.2% exceed 1000 kg. These figures not only demonstrate the substantial contributions of waste pickers but also emphasize that without this group the waste management ecosystem is at greater risk.
Our survey discovered that plastic bottles are the most commonly collected waste type, with 86.2% of respondents gathering them. This is followed by plastic containers at 66.5% and metals at 55.8%. Paper and nylon plastics are also frequently collected, with 46.8% and 51.7% of respondents handling these materials, respectively. Other significant waste types include cardboard (43.1%), aluminum (24.2%), glass (18.2%), and copper (21.2%). These findings highlight the diverse range of materials managed by waste pickers and underscore the critical role they play in recycling and waste management efforts.
These figures indicate that a significant portion of waste pickers handle large quantities of various types of waste daily, with plastic bottles and containers being the most commonly collected items. Despite their heavy workload and the variety of materials they manage, the income data suggests that their earnings do not correlate with the amount or type of work they perform.
A Global Perspective
Globally, waste pickers are integral to waste management and recycling industries. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are over 20 million waste pickers worldwide, many of whom operate informally without access to social protections or fair wages. In countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina, waste pickers have organized cooperatives to negotiate better pay and working conditions. However, significant challenges remain, including exploitation, health risks, and lack of recognition.
- Formalization of Work: Formalization of the work done by waste pickers holds promising prospects such as improved labor standards by facilitating workers’ access to social insurance, state services,infrastructures and labor rights. In the quest towards this formalization, it is imperative that a bottom-up approach is adopted, this is because such an approach enhances the power that waste pickers have over the process of policy design and implementation. By yielding sufficient power to shape policies and hold governments accountable, waste pickers can advance policies that are customized to their needs, capacities and realities.
- Formation of social enterprises and cooperatives: To demand fair compensation for their work, waste pickers need a collective unified voice to ensure that such a demand materializes. It is thus imperative that waste pickers form cooperatives that will fight for their rights and demand a better pay for their work.
- Capacity Building: Capacity building is essential for waste pickers as it enhances their skills, improves health and safety practices, and economically empowers them through better financial management and business skills. It fosters social inclusion by formalizing their roles within municipal waste management systems, allowing them to gain recognition and respect. Additionally, it enables them to advocate for their rights and participate in decision-making processes, contributing significantly to environmental sustainability through improved waste management practices. Integrating technology, such as digital tools, further streamlines their work, enhances efficiency, and opens up new opportunities for growth and development.
- Public Awareness and Policy Advocacy: Public awareness campaigns can educate the community about the vital role waste pickers play in waste management and environmental conservation, thereby fostering respect and support for their work. This increased recognition can lead to better working conditions, fairer wages, and social inclusion. Policy advocacy, on the other hand, can push for the implementation of laws and regulations that protect waste pickers’ rights, ensure fair compensation, and provide access to social benefits and services. By influencing policies that formalize the waste pickers’ role within the waste management system, advocacy can help secure stable incomes and reduce economic disparities.
TakaNiAjira’s Role in Bridging the Gap
In Tanzania, TakaNiAjira Foundation is at the forefront of advocating for waste pickers, striving to bridge the income gap through several key initiatives. These include facilitating the registration of waste pickers’ cooperatives and community-based organizations (CBOs), which help integrate informal workers into more organised and formalized structures. TakaNiAjira’s efforts focus on promoting the rights of waste pickers, improving their working conditions, and ensuring fair compensation. By fostering cooperative formations, waste pickers gain collective bargaining power, better market access, and opportunities for social protection. This model not only elevates their income but also provides avenues for financial inclusion and economic empowerment. Moreover, TakaNiAjira has been working on capacity-building initiatives to improve the efficiency and safety of waste pickers’ work. Training programs on health and safety, financial management, and waste sorting are being offered, helping waste pickers increase their productivity and reduce occupational risks. These programs align with global recommendations to support informal workers through skills development and better economic opportunities.
Waste pickers are vital to the sustainability of our planet, yet they continue to face significant economic challenges. The data from our survey highlights the need for immediate action to improve waste pickers’ incomes and working conditions in Tanzania. By drawing on global examples and advocating for comprehensive policies and practices, we can bridge the income gap and create a more equitable and sustainable future for these essential workers. The task of enabling waste pickers to earn a decent pay for their work requires collaborative efforts from all stakeholders. It is also worth noting that the solutions that cater to address income disparity among waste pickers should be environmentally beneficial, socially responsible and economically viable.
Contact Us
TakaNiAjira Foundation Tanzania
Email: info@takaniajira.org
Mobile: +255 672 594 492
TakaNiAjira Foundation Uganda
Email: uganda@takaniajira.org
