On International Waste Pickers Day, we honour the lives lost and reaffirm a global call to action: waste pickers continue to face violence, exclusion, and dispossession despite their essential role in sustaining recycling systems. From dumpsite closures without just transition to increasing privatisation and lack of social protection, the statement underscores an urgent demand for dignity, recognition, and binding safeguards to ensure that no transition leaves waste pickers behind. Read the full statement and stand with waste pickers in the fight for dignity, safety, and a just transition.
Global mobilisations for dignity, recognition, and justice
On March 1st, waste pickers across the world came together to commemorate International Waste Pickers’ Day, honouring those who lost their lives in 1992 in Colombia and reaffirming a global call for dignity, recognition, and a just transition.
From Latin America to Africa, from Asia to North America, waste pickers organised mobilisations, dialogues, clean-ups, and policy advocacy actions, making visible their essential role in waste management systems and environmental protection.
Latin America
In Colombia, waste pickers gathered at Plaza de Bolívar in Bogotá in a powerful national mobilisation led by the Asociación Nacional de Recicladores de Colombia (ANR). The action brought together organisations from across the country to raise a united voice for dignity, recognition, and environmental justice. Read More here.
In Ecuador, members of RENAREC marked the day with a strong message: waste picking is dignity, respect, and the future of the planet. Across provinces, waste pickers reaffirmed their collective struggle and the essential role they play in transforming waste into life. Watch the reel here.
Africa
In Côte d’Ivoire, UFAD organised an intergenerational dialogue between waste pickers and youth in Abidjan. The exchange challenged stigma and transformed perceptions, with participants recognising waste pickers as environmental protectors and “green entrepreneurs.” Read more here.
In Tanzania (Tanga), waste pickers and local organisations carried out a large-scale “Walk & Pick” clean-up, collecting over 1,000 kg of waste. The action highlighted the critical role waste pickers play as frontline climate workers reducing pollution and methane emissions. Read More here.
In Kenya, waste pickers organised an awareness walk in Nairobi, calling for dignity and full inclusion in waste management systems, reinforcing their role as essential service providers. Read more here.
Asia
In India (Delhi), around 150 waste pickers gathered to mark the day, creating a space for dialogue on rights, social protection, and recognition. The event highlighted the importance of access to health services, social security, and government programmes. Read More here.
Also in India, Sushila Sable, Vice President of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP), was honoured for her leadership and contributions to the movement, reinforcing the global recognition of waste pickers as community leaders and agents of systemic change. Read More here.
North America
In the United States, members of AIR-NYC mobilised at the New York State Capitol, advocating for the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, a policy aimed at improving recycling systems and supporting waste picker livelihoods.
In Canada (Vancouver), the Binners’ Project highlighted the impact of waste pickers through the Coffee Cup Revolution, demonstrating how their work diverts valuable materials from landfills while creating community-based circular solutions. Read more here.
Recent publications in the region also emphasised how waste picker-led recycling depots are creating decent work and strengthening social enterprise models.
A global movement for justice
Across all regions, a shared message emerged: waste pickers are not invisible.
They are environmental service providers, climate actors, and key contributors to circular economies. Their work sustains cities, reduces emissions, and protects public health.
Yet, waste pickers continue to face systemic exclusion, unsafe working conditions, and threats such as dumpsite closures without just transition frameworks.
International Waste Pickers’ Day is both a commemoration and a call to action.
It is a reminder that without waste pickers, there is no recycling.
And without justice for waste pickers, there is no environmental justice.
The global movement will continue to organise, resist, and build alternatives that centre dignity, rights, and recognition for all waste pickers.
News
- Upstream Solutions, an NGO focused on driving reuse, published a piece online that focused on how three NAWPA affiliates are creating decent work through recycling depots. Read: The other 3 Rs: Recognize, Respect and Reward
- IAWP and Ground Score recently published a case study that looks at how one community has created employment opportunities for marginalized individuals through recycling: Recycling in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador: Depots as social enterprise
- Colombia has made a historic advance with Decree 0271 of 2026, recognising waste pickers as workers with rights and establishing a comprehensive social protection system after decades of struggle led by ANR. The measure affirms their essential role in environmental sustainability and sets a key precedent for inclusive policies globally, with effective implementation now being the main challenge. https://bit.ly/ANR-IAWP
