Exploring the Potential Health Risks Faced by Waste Pickers on Landfills in South Africa: A Socio-Ecological Perspective

Abstract

Landfill and street waste pickers in South Africa are responsible for collecting substantial volumes of recyclable material, saving municipalities millions and contributing to a generally healthier and cleaner environment. Yet waste pickers continue to operate on the fringes of the economy and are exposed to many risks, particularly health risks which have a direct impact on the sustainability of their livelihoods. This article, using a mixed-methods approach, explores the health risks to which waste pickers working on nine different landfills in the country are exposed. The socio-ecological framework was used to analyse and present the results. A key finding was that waste picking, by its very nature, lends itself to innumerable health risks, but that these can be lessened through concerted and collaborative efforts on the part of landfill operators, local authorities and other stakeholders. Integrating the ‘self-employed’ waste pickers into the formal waste management system should be comprehensive in order to limit health risks. Waste pickers will never have a risk-free environment, but facilitative policies and supportive institutions can collaboratively help to mitigate these risks and create a more sustainable and dignified working environment towards sustaining their livelihoods.

Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety among Scavengers in Gaza Strip, Palestine

“…In accordance with Figueiredo et al [38]; 56% of the waste pickers are aged between 18-34, 72% of them were of primary education level, and 72% of them are generating income in the range of 300-500 BRL (1 BRL ⋍ 0.25 USD) from working in collection and selling recyclables. Schenck et al [39] found that the average age of the waste pickers was 39 years. According to Women in Informal Employment, Globalizing and Organizing [40], 43% of 760 surveyed waste pickers were in the age range of 26-40 years.…”

“…In 2012, Schenck et al conducted a study on waste pickers' population in South Africa and found out that the percentage of men was slightly higher (52%) than the percentage of women (48%). Schenck et al [39] found that 60% of the waste pickers were men and 40% were women. e working hours for most of the waste pickers range between five and twelve hours per day; five to eight for 55.3% and nine to twelfth for 39.7% of them.…”

Health Conditions of Landfills Workers, Lagos State, Nigeria

“…This is due to emission of toxic gases and air pollutants (landfill gas containing methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and other contaminants including volatile organic compounds bioaresols and particulate matter) or to contaminated soil and water (Singh, et al, 2020). Across the cities, it is the urban poor that suffer most from the life-threatening conditions stemming from deficient solid waste management (Schenck, Blaauw, Viljoen, & Swart, 2019).…”

Health care access of informal waste recyclers in Johannesburg, South Africa

“…Globally, informal waste recyclers are a vulnerable population who face occupational-related morbidities and mortality. Considered as the 'invisible environmentalists' of the world, waste recyclers contribute significantly to waste removal collection in many cities [1,2]. In South Africa, thousands of people generate livelihoods through the recycling of waste, in both the formal and informal sectors.…”

“…Waste hazards may include chemical, biological and physical hazards [7]. In South Africa, a study conducted in nine landfill sites showed that health risks such as polluted water, rotten meat, faecal matter from soiled nappies, dust, exposure to heavy loads of waste, sharp objects such as needles and glass were prominent among informal waste recyclers [2].…”