Waste: Recognising informal workers in the recycling supply chain

As companies and countries raise their targets for plastic recycling, a group of people who are crucial in the value chain are often forgotten: the informal waste workers. These are the people who separate recyclable materials from waste. Their role is especially vital in countries that do not have a robust waste collection and recycling infrastructure and where much recyclable waste still ends up in bins and landfills. Oftentimes, they work without protective gear such as gloves or even shoes, which exposes them to toxic materials. They also do not have social security or a steady income. And yet, their role in the recycling value chain is bound to become more prominent.