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The Role of Informal Sector in Waste Management, A Case Study; Tafila-Jordan
Abstract and Figures
Scavengers play a major role in the waste management process in developing countries. This study analyzed the informal recycling activities carried out by scavenger in the Tafila region of Jordan. The results show that scavengers have an important role in the informal solid waste management (SWM) especially in term of waste reduction, minimization and material recovery. Significant values from the scavenged material make the scavenging somewhat a profitable business for poor people and could track more in the future. Socially scavenging tends to be acceptable in the community, especially with the increasing of the poverty and employments rates and became more acceptable in rural areas as it is already in urban areas. Despite the low level of education, the awareness for the negative health effect from working with waste was very high. The organizing of the scavenger work is suggested, since it would improve their working environment, income and living conditions. Therefore it should increase their contribution significantly to resource recovery.
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... While scavenging is considered taboo and illegal in some countries, Aljaradin et al. (2015) note that it has been recognized as a helpful activity in Jordan that contributes to waste reduction and material recovery and has reduced the cost of formal waste management as the volume of waste has decreased. Aljaradin et al. (2015) add that while more people are attracted to this activity, the authorities often ignore scavengers and are exposed to health hazards. ...
... While scavenging is considered taboo and illegal in some countries, Aljaradin et al. (2015) note that it has been recognized as a helpful activity in Jordan that contributes to waste reduction and material recovery and has reduced the cost of formal waste management as the volume of waste has decreased. Aljaradin et al. (2015) add that while more people are attracted to this activity, the authorities often ignore scavengers and are exposed to health hazards. Thus, The authors argue for integrating informal waste picking with the formal waste sector. ...
The main aim of this study was to unpack the health and socioeconomic status of waste-picking activities in Mayville, Cato Manor, and Westville in Durban. It analyzed the quality of life of waste pickers, their awareness of the risks associated with this kind of work, and the extent of their uptake of health-protective measures. A quantitative approach was adopted, and a questionnaire was used to gather data from 81 waste pickers. The findings revealed that unemployment was the main reason for taking up waste picking and that this was the respondents' primary source of income. It was also found that most respondents resided in shacks and had no access to running water. Most were unaware of the risks associated with this kind of work. Based on these findings, it is recommended that economic development be pursued to create employment opportunities and that delivery of essential services such as potable water be improved, especially in informal settlements. Awareness campaigns should be launched to educate waste pickers on handling waste, the risks associated with this kind of work, and the need to adopt protective health measures. Finally, the researcher recommends further research on waste picking in Durban as there is a paucity of information on this activity in the city.
... While scavenging is considered taboo and illegal in some countries, Aljaradin et al. (2015) note that it has been recognized as a helpful activity in Jordan that contributes to waste reduction and material recovery and has reduced the cost of formal waste management as the volume of waste has decreased. Aljaradin et al. (2015) add that while more people are attracted to this activity, the authorities often ignore scavengers and are exposed to health hazards. ...
... While scavenging is considered taboo and illegal in some countries, Aljaradin et al. (2015) note that it has been recognized as a helpful activity in Jordan that contributes to waste reduction and material recovery and has reduced the cost of formal waste management as the volume of waste has decreased. Aljaradin et al. (2015) add that while more people are attracted to this activity, the authorities often ignore scavengers and are exposed to health hazards. Thus, The authors argue for integrating informal waste picking with the formal waste sector. ...
The main aim of this study was to unpack the health and socioeconomic status of waste-picking activities in Mayville, Cato Manor, and Westville in Durban. It analyzed the quality of life of waste pickers, their awareness of the risks associated with this kind of work, and the extent of their uptake of health-protective measures. A quantitative approach was adopted, and a questionnaire was used to gather data from 81 waste pickers. The findings revealed that unemployment was the main reason for taking up waste picking and that this was the respondents' primary source of income. It was also found that most respondents resided in shacks and had no access to running water. Most were unaware of the risks associated with this kind of work. Based on these findings, it is recommended that economic development be pursued to create employment opportunities and that delivery of essential services such as potable water be improved, especially in informal settlements. Awareness campaigns should be launched to educate waste pickers on handling waste, the risks associated with this kind of work, and the need to adopt protective health measures. Finally, the researcher recommends further research on waste picking in Durban as there is a paucity of information on this activity in the city.
... In some cases, their parents have died or left home or are unemployed and collecting garbage, as well. Scavenging is a survival strategy for these children because they live in such poor conditions [14,15]. Concerning poverty and child labour, Basu and Van demonstrate how parents push their children to work if household wages or incomes are insufficient, because children's income may be added to the existing household income to allow parents to fulfil their fundamental living requirements [16]. ...
Children in Tehran are engaged in various forms of labour, including scavenging, which is considered to be one of the worst forms of child labour. Scavenging by children is prevalent in Tehran, inflicting substantial harm to children and breaking various national and municipal rules and regulations. The purpose of this research is to examine the causes and repercussions of children scavenging in Tehran, as well as to propose a theory in this field. To do this, grounded theory was applied as a methodology, and interview and observation techniques based on purposeful and theoretical sampling methods were used to collect data. Also, to construct a theory, the literature in this field was reviewed. The study population consisted of scavenging children and adults. The three-step coding-and-analysis process described by Corbin and Strauss was used to code the data. The findings point to three contexts that have led to a rise in children scavenging: economic, such as poverty and the waste economy; socio-cultural, in the form of family settings and social networks; and policy-setting, such as waste-management regulations and practices. Eliminating child scavenging in Tehran necessitates a series of policy interventions in Afghanistan and waste management in Tehran; some recommendations are presented at the end of the paper.
... Findings from existing studies indicate that local government waste collection is deficient since a significant part of this population lacks the service (Del Carmen-Niño et al., 2019). There are also informal trash collection systems in rural areas, for which the residents must pay a fee (Aljaradin et al., 2015). ...
In Yucatan, the transition from rural to semi-urban communities has occurred mainly in the municipality seats; this transition comes with the problems of waste management. The municipalities oversee the Integral Urban SolidWaste Management (IUSWM); but in recent years, the public-private partnership for waste management has proved to be an effective strategy. There are few studies on the IUSWM in rural or semi-urban areas and the users’ willingness to pay, information that would help public policymakers to design adequate plans and programs for its management. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the socioeconomic factors associated with the willingness to pay for the IUSWM of users in semi-urban municipalities of Yucatan. A total of 1,144 interviews were conducted in 6 semi-urban localities in Yucatan, and the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with a Tobit regression econometric model. 69.75% of the surveyed users declared that they were willing to pay an average of 17.65 Mexican pesos (0.85 U.S. dollars) for the integral urban solid waste management. The willingness to pay decreases when the Mayan language predominates among the member of the household, and when they have fewer tangible assets and rooms. There are cultural and social factors rooted in solid waste collection, this integrated system may be accompanied by other types of economic incentives to modify consumers’ behavior towards something more beneficial for the environment, such as the homes’ income.
... Landfills have been shown to be a largely untapped source of essential metals. By mining landfills for recyclable materials that were once considered garbage, a new source of these products can be created (Aljaradin et al., 2014, Fisher, 1995. The implementation of landfill mining as a solution for excessive waste production has proven to be both economically viable and industrially feasible (Hogland et al., 2004, USEPA, 20022). ...
The Al Jurf Landfill in Ajman serves as the primary waste disposal site for the Emirate since 2006. The landfill processes around 750 tons of waste daily and has accumulated a total of nearly 4 million tons of waste. The waste management process at the landfill is in line with the UAE's Key Performance Indicators and is constantly improving with the adoption of new technologies and processes, such as waste-to-energy, recycling, improved waste separation and collection, and wastewater treatment, aimed at reducing the per capita environmental impact and air quality. The article highlights the efforts made to improve waste management and reduce environmental impact. The advantages and disadvantages of sanitary landfills, waste-to-energy and landfill mining are discussed, with a focus on the benefits and challenges of these methods. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of the Al Jurf Landfill in sustainable waste management.
Introduction: The valuable activity of informal recyclers, or salters, itinerants in the direction of sustainability and environmental protection is not hidden from anyone. Unfortunately, this occupational group has been neglected, and organizational, support, and health institutions pay less attention to these people, so we felt it necessary to investigate the threats related to the occupation of these people in Kerman City. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The statistical population in the form of a census includes 232 informal recycling centers and 294 informal recyclers who entered the study voluntarily and with their consent at first, field research collecting information and completing questionnaires through observation and interviews with a face-to-face referral from 2021 to 2022, and then the data were collected. In the end, the necessary analysis and interpretation were done using SPSS software version 19 and the Chi-score test. Results: Results showed that 51.4% of the participants declared health and health problems as the most important threat to their jobs, and there was a significant relationship between job threats and gender (p-value=0.003). About 20% of people did not use any personal protective equipment. There was a significant relationship between the lack of use of personal protective equipment and the number of visits to health centers (p-value=0.048). The most occupational threats of the recyclers were sharp objects, contact with chemicals and vapors and smoke from waste fuel, musculoskeletal problems, especially back and leg pain, bites by stray animals, and skin dermatitis. Conclusion: The government and the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education should pay more attention to the threats related to the job of informal recyclers, the most obvious of which is health and safety.
Informal waste workers (IWWs) play a vital role in recovery, disposal and recycling of waste materials. This study examines the current solid waste management practices in Nigeria and Nepal, with a particular focus on the roles of IWWs in effective waste management. Through comprehensive secondary literature reviews, including journal databases, books, reports, and websites, this study highlights the inadequate solid waste management systems in both countries, resulting in limited reuse of generated waste. Common challenges related to waste collection, transportation, sorting, processing, and final disposal were identified in Nigeria and Nepal. The important role played by IWWs in waste management activities, such as collection, sorting, recovery, and recycling, is evident. However, the lack of appropriate legislation addressing their involvement serves as a major hindrance. This study also presents key findings on Nigeria's waste generation, recycling rates, and reliance on the informal sector, as well as Nepal's municipal solid waste composition, recycling rates, and the significant role played by informal waste workers. The study emphasizes the need for inclusive waste management policies, strengthened waste collection and segregation systems, investment in recycling infrastructure, and enhanced collaboration among government agencies, waste management companies, and informal waste workers. Enforcing existing legislation and providing support to IWWs, including improved working conditions and social protection measures, are essential steps toward improving waste management practices. The study concludes by highlighting the importance of research, innovation, and international cooperation in developing sustainable waste management solutions for Nigeria and Nepal.
Informal waste workers (IWWs) play a vital role in recovery, disposal and recycling of waste materials. This study examines the current solid waste management practices in Nigeria and Nepal, with a particular focus on the roles of IWWs in effective waste management. Through comprehensive secondary literature reviews, including journal databases, books, reports, and websites, this study highlights the inadequate solid waste management systems in both countries, resulting in limited reuse of generated waste. Common challenges related to waste collection, transportation, sorting, processing, and final disposal were identified in Nigeria and Nepal. The important role played by IWWs in waste management activities, such as collection, sorting, recovery, and recycling, is evident. However, the lack of appropriate legislation addressing their involvement serves as a major hindrance. This study also presents key findings on Nigeria's waste generation, recycling rates, and reliance on the informal sector, as well as Nepal's municipal solid waste composition, recycling rates, and the significant role played by informal waste workers. The study emphasizes the need for inclusive waste management policies, strengthened waste collection and segregation systems, investment in recycling infrastructure, and enhanced collaboration among government agencies, waste management companies, and informal waste workers. Enforcing existing legislation and providing support to IWWs, including improved working conditions and social protection measures, are essential steps toward improving waste management practices. The study concludes by highlighting the importance of research, innovation, and international cooperation in developing sustainable waste management solutions for Nigeria and Nepal.
This study analyzes Environmentally Sustainable Practices (ESPs) in the Organic Food Tourist Route (OFTR) in South Brazil. Data collection included interviews with open and closed questions about ESPs and the Barometer of Tourism Sustainability (BTS) tool. Eight owners or managers of OFTR's enterprises answered questions online or personally. Content analysis and descriptive statistics were used. Results indicated that tourism enterprises adopt ESPs according to each reality since some are dedicated to producing and commercializing organic products, while others are dedicated to lodging and guided tours. Managers realize the importance of adopting ESPs, enabling a decrease in expenses and the supply of organic products. Since tourists are concerned and careful with the environment nowadays, sustainability must be considered, becoming a differential. The enterprises develop ESPs, which makes the route potentially sustainable, following the standards established by the BTS. In order to achieve the “sustainable” level, the enterprises on the route need to improve their performance in many items whose results were less sustainable. From a theoretical perspective, this study contributed to understanding how ESPs were developed in enterprises and how they contribute to tourism development. The understanding of tourist routes expanded with an emphasis on sustainability, the environmental dimension, the ESPs, and organic agriculture. The BTS enabled the assessment of the sustainability of OFTR's enterprises.
Many thousands of people in developing country cities depend on recycling materials from waste for their livelihoods. With the focus of the Millennium Development Goals on poverty reduction, and of waste strategies on improving recycling rates, one of the major challenges in solid waste management in developing countries is how best to work with this informal sector to improve their livelihoods, working conditions and efficiency in recycling.
The general characteristics of informal recycling are reviewed, highlighting both positive and negative aspects. Despite the health and social problems associated with informal recycling, it provides significant economic benefits that need to be retained. Experience shows that it can be highly counterproductive to establish new formal waste recycling systems without taking into account informal systems that already exist. The preferred option is to integrate the informal sector into waste management planning, building on their practices and experience, while working to improve efficiency and the living and working conditions of those involved. Issues associated with integrating informal recycling into the formal waste management sector are discussed
Municipal solid waste is one of the major environmental problems in Jordan. The World Bank visibility study (2004) showed that the rate of production of solid waste in Jordan was estimated annually of about 1.46 million ton, and is expected to reach 2.5 million ton by the year 2015 with a generation of 0.9/kg/capita/day. This solid waste volume is still increasing at high rates due to the rapid increase of populations and change in living standards and the consumption patterns. The majorities of landfills in Jordan are practicing open dumping and thus cause various environmental problems such as health hazards, surface water and ground water contamination, odors, etc. Sanitary landfills offer a viable option for the Common
Service Councils (CSCs) which are responsible for operation and management of disposal sites in the country, to deal with the environmental hazards caused by open dumps practice within its financial constraints. If sanitary landfills are conducted properly, the negative environmental impacts can be kept to a minimum level. This paper will discuss the environmental, economic and social opportunities of moving open dumps toward sanitary landfills such a transfer is necessary and it could play important roles in tackling the pressing solid waste problems and a forward step for an approach for integrated solid waste management in the country.
Jordan has seen a large increase in population during the past five decades as a result of population
growth and forced migrations, and also, accompanied with this increase, a cultural and economical development
that has improved the standard of living and changing consumer habits in the community, resulting in a clear
increase in the volume of waste. These changes urges the need for finding proper ways of making the living
conditions for the people of Jordan more sustainable, recycling has been adopted as an important way to reduce
waste and ease the use of landfills in many courtiers of the world. The residential area is a good place to start and
practice recycling as a substantial part of all waste is generated there every day. This paper examines the level of
willingness and awareness of recycling of municipal solid waste (MSW) among residential, with specific focus on
university students. A total of 1000 residents were surveyed using 3 types of questionnaires designed to pattern
their views on recycling of MSW and to test their willing for recycling, but also to examine their knowledge and
awareness of recycling befits on a social, economical and environmental basis. In total 28 questions have been
asked in a computer based survey to the students. The result clear that the recycling knowledge between
respondent is very low. However, they hold a positive attitude toward the willing for learning more. Respondent also
aware of the environmental and economical benefits from recycling, whereas they have negative attitude toward
walking more distance and for paying more for better recycling.
The objective of this study was to determine the health profile and impact assessment of waste scavengers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. To isolate and identify the potential pathogens that degrade the waste, samples were collected from 7 dumpsites and one control site. Serial dilutions of the samples were carried out and aliquots (0.1 mL) of the diluted samples were inoculated into appropriate media. Similarly, blood, stool, urine and nasal swabs were collected from 80 waste scavengers and 20 control subjects. The blood samples were used for the determination of haematological parameters and widal test, while urine, stool and nasal swabs were used for microbiological analysis. Five genera of bacteria were isolated from the waste dumpsites, which include Staphylococcus sp., Escherichia coli , Salmonella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus sp. while the control sites showed growth of Bacillus sp., only. The culture result from waste scavengers also showed similar organisms, such as Staphylococcus aureus , E. coli and Salmonella sp. There was significant decrease in the haemoglobin levels, haematocrit and Neutrophil counts of rag pickers as compared with the control subjects (p<0.05). Mean values for waste scavenger were Hb 12.12±1.85g dL<SUP>-1</SUP>, HCT 36.33±16.7% and Neutrophil 33.33±14.06%, while control subjects were Hb 14.48±04 g dL<SUP>-1</SUP>, HCT 42.66±9.47% and Neutrophil 56.55±16.83%. The AST for waste scavengers was slightly increased, while the other LFT values were decreased compared to the control subjects. It can be inferred that waste scavengers serve as vehicles for the transmission of certain pathogens that degrade waste, thereby, constituting some public health hazards.
The magnitude of the solid waste problem in Beirut (Lebanon) is apparent to any onlooker. Waste collection has improved recently but is frequently incomplete and sometimes sporadic. Considerable labour problems exist and are made worse by the disruption from the aftermath of civil war. The most suitable future disposal methods have not been fully studied, and existing disposal sites and plants are near to saturation or collapse. In order to start a new waste management study correctly, the first step was to analyse the waste composition, characteristics and generation rates. The authors attempt to show that some form of incineration with energy recovery may be the preferred disposal option given the current local prevailing social conditions. Composting is argued to be the next choice. Direct landfill of untreated waste is the choice for the present time, but its continuance is open to question if new landfills are not identified and permitted to be used.
Future uncertainties involved in the current waste management activities in the developing nations have been addressed through determining plastic waste recovery, recycling and landfilling scenarios in two case study countries — Bangladesh and India. In order to discern and comprehend the material in-flow and out-flow of such complex successive plastics recoveries and recyclings, within the closed-loop recycling systems present in these two countries, a simple mathematical model is developed. The model is based on limited published information, on extensive fieldwork in Dhaka, Calcutta and Delhi, and on experimental data. An environmental legislative factor has been included in the model which will allow balancing of the quality of recycled products and the amount of landfilling non-recyclable plastics. The model has the potential to create and predict a sound waste database for these countries. Bangladesh has been chosen as a model developing country for this study. The mathematical model can be used in future decision making processes within the plastics recycling arena of the countries concerned to achieve an environmentally sound and cost effective waste management option.
The magnitude of the solid waste problem in Beirut (Lebanon) is apparent to any onlooker. Waste collection has improved recently but is frequently incomplete and sometimes sporadic. Considerable labour problems exist and are made worse by the disruption from the aftermath of civil war. The most suitable future disposal methods have not been fully studied, and existing disposal sites and plants are near to saturation or collapse. In order to start a new waste management study correctly, the first step was to analyse the waste composition, characteristics and generation rates. The authors attempt to show that some form of incineration with energy recovery may be the preferred disposal option given the current local prevailing social conditions. Composting is argued to be the next choice. Direct landfill of untreated waste is the choice for the present time, but its continuance is open to question if new landfills are not identified and permitted to be used.
Solid waste poses a serious problem to government agencies and people in third world cities. Recycling as a way of managing waste has received relatively little attention. This paper examines the role of waste scavengers in the waste recycling process. The preliminary findings reported here indicate that the waste scavenger could be incorporated formally into the recycling process. Using plastic waste as an example, it is demonstrated that such recycling is economically viable.
The recovery of materials from waste represents an important survival strategy for disadvantaged populations throughout the developing world. This paper proposes a typology of public policies toward scavengers, argues that scavenging activities should be supported, and analyzes recent experience on the formation of scavenger cooperatives as a means to promote grassroots development in their communities. It also examines the use of appropriate technology, and suggests ways in which scavengers could be incorporated into formal waste management programs.
There is a need to recognize the difficulties experienced in managing waste and to understand the reasons for those difficulties, especially in developing countries such as Jordan. Zarqa is a Governorate located in central Jordan, which has 2874 registered industries, making up more than 52% of the total industries in the country. Zarqa Governorate suffers from serious solid waste problems. These problems arise from an absence of adequate policies, facilitating legislation, and an environmentally enthused public, which therefore have a negative impact on the environment and health. Solid waste generation in Zarqa Governorate has increased exponentially and has polluted natural resources and the environment. A significant change in municipal solid waste generation was evident between the years 1994 and 2000. The Zarqa Governorate generated 482 tons/day in 2002 with a per capita rate of 0.44 kg/cap-day [Consulting Engineers, 2002, Feasibility study for the treatment of industrial wastewater in Zarqa Governorate. A project funded by METAP and Zarqa Chamber of Industry. Unpublished report]. This manuscript assesses the current operational and management practices of solid waste in the Zarqa Governorate; and evaluates the associated issues of solid waste collection, storage, transport, disposal and recycling in developing countries. The lack of techniques, financial funds and awareness among public and private sectors form an obstacle for achieving a successful environmental program. Several options are proposed to address management goals. Although Jordan became the first country in the Middle East to adopt a national environmental strategy; waste disposal is still largely uncontrolled and large quantities of waste go uncollected. Ensuring proper management of solid wastes, enforcing regulations, and implementing proper environmental awareness programs that will enhance the public understanding and achieve greater efficiency, are the findings of this study.