Designing Extended Producer Responsibility Frameworks to Accommodate and Advance Waste Pickers in the Global South
As plastic pollution gains attention, several countries have adopted Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principles to address certain types of plastic packaging and waste. An estimated 20 million waste pickers around the world, working in streets and dumpsites, play a crucial role in addressing the global challenges of plastic pollution, climate change, and poverty. This highlights the indispensable role of the informal recycling sector (IRS) in promoting circularity, especially in the Global South, making waste pickers key stakeholders in EPR systems. Across cities, grassroots recyclers have built functioning value chains for recyclables, generating income for themselves, materials for other markets, and diverting waste from landfills.
As the international community negotiates a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, it is essential to understand how EPR can be designed and implemented to reduce plastic pollution, increase recovery rates, and improve working conditions in the IRS. A robust EPR system values the wisdom, local knowledge, and networks of the informal sector and recognizes waste pickers as legitimate partners. An inclusive EPR system respects traditional knowledge, innovation, and skills while creating opportunities to sustain and enhance existing systems, uphold dignity, and institutionalize decent work conditions and pathways for advancement for historically marginalized actors.
The discussion paper highlights the enabling strategies for inclusive EPR.
GRID-Arendals Role in Producing this Publication
GRID-Arendal carried out the background research, drafting, and partner consultations to finalize and prepare the two discussion briefs. We designed and laid out this report. Additionally, GRID-Arendal facilitated stakeholder engagement sessions to ensure diverse perspectives were incorporated throughout the development process.
Status: Completed
Type: Brochures and Briefs
Author: Swati Singh Sambyal
Year of publication: 2024
Publisher: GRID-Arendal
Place of publication: Arendal, Norway
