waste picking in africa newsletter, (april 2012) -...

KALLY FORREST & KAPITA TUWIZANA

In March this year Kapita Tuwizana found himselfin francophone African countries where he hadnever been before, looking for waste pickergroups. His main strengths were speaking thelanguage and his friendly manner. “You must befriendly and willing to talk to anyone. Don’tspeak to people in offices – talk to people onthe streets.”

He did some internet research before he leftbut learnt little. WIEGO (Women in InformalEmployment: Globalizing & Organizing) gavehim some contacts but he believes the best wayto find waste picker organizations is to go directlyto where they work.

Finding waste pickersTuwizana’s first contact was often the taxi drivertaking him from the airport to his hotel. “I wouldask the taxi driver many things. Who collectswaste in the city? Where are municipal officesand landfills? Does he know any waste pickers?Where is it safe to go?”In Bamako, Mali the taxi driver knew a waste

picker in his neighbourhood. Tuwizana boughta sim card for his mobile and gave the driver hisnumber. The driver called him with the contactand he soon met the waste picker and gotcontacts to five different groups.Bamako is a huge city and the five groups

worked in different parts so Tuwizana arrangedtransport with the taxi driver and negotiated aprice. “I knew he would find the far out placesI needed.”Yet it was only on the fourth day, in reply to a

question Tuwizana asked, that he learnt about

a national association of waste pickers. “It isimportant to ask many questions; don’t rely onpeople just telling you things. In WIEGO weprepared mapping questions before I travelledand I made sure I used these,” said Tuwizana.In Madagascar the taxi driver knew no waste

pickers but knew municipal offices and dumpsaround Antananarivo. So on the first day,Tuwizana drove with the taxi and got to knowmunicipalities, poor areas and where it was safeto go.But in Cameroon the taxi driver could not helphim. “I saw a church near the hotel so I wentand asked for the pastor and told him I was aChristian, explained what I was doing and thatI needed help.”

The pastor was helpful indeed. He explainedthat the church wanted to start a waste pickerorganization and he gave Tuwizana contacts.Through this, Tuwizana found the Gozen groupwhich aims to work with plastic recyclables.

The pastor offered Tuwizana his son to helphim find waste picker groups.“He was helpfulas landfills were far from Douala’s centre and itwas easy to get lost and it prevented taxis fromovercharging me. We had to take three or fourtaxis and then travel on a small motor bike overrough roads. He instructed the drivers where togo.”

In Benin however, taxis hardly exist. Small motorbikes provide transport. “They drive fast and Ihad to hold on tight. There’s no time to talk youhave to hop off fast as he’s on to the nextpassenger. I kept my hotel card with the addresson me in case I got lost then I could show it.”

In Cotonou Tuwizana struggled to make wastepicker contacts, so initially he moved around andspoke to pickers on the street pushing carts. Buthe learnt little. On the second day he sent anemail to a StrezetNet contact in Ivory Coastasking for waste picker or trade union contacts.“Trade unions can be helpful in these situations,”said Tuwizana.

He was sent a WEIGO/StreetNet contact andshe knew where to find waste picker andwomen’s groups.

Tuwizana’s command of French and Englishwas very helpful and many people thought hewas local or from a neighbouring country. Butsometimes people only spoke local languagesso he had to find a translator who knew Frenchor English and the local language and negotiate

Tracking waste pickers in West Africa

Waste Pickingin Africa

Volume 2.1April 2012

A typical West African motorcycle taxi used by Tuwizana in his search for waste picker groups.

p. 2 Waste pickers. Solutionto climate change

p. 3 Waste pickers at COP17 Organizing Tips 2

p. 4 Waste picker leadership p. 5 Central and Latin

American First!p. 6 Waste pickers in Africap.8 ”Give women

waste pickers a chance”p. 9 Africa’s rare women

waste picker group p.10 Partnering to organise

in Nigeriap. 11 Some funding lessonsp. 11 Fighting climate change

Continued on page 2

Also inside:

«Don’t speak topeople in offices - talkto people on thestreets»

«It’s important thatpeople speak to youin a language they arecomfortable with»

CC. T

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now

2 Waste Picking in Africa Volumen 2.1. April 2012

KALLY FORREST

At a workshop in Johannesburg last year, wastepickers learnt how they help prevent climatechange. Neil Tangri of Global Alliance forIncinerator Alternatives explained why pickers’work and climate change go hand in hand.

Removing toxic gasesSome places in the world are experiencing toomuch rain and flooding, whilst in others waterscarcity is a huge and growing problem. Someareas are experiencing an increase in forest firesand in the Antarctic and Arctic, the ice is meltingso rapidly that rising sea levels are forcing peopleto leave their homes.

The air we breathe forms a blanket around theearth and keeps the temperature stable. However,when we burn things we release carbon dioxideand other gases such as methane (referred toas greenhouse gases), which build up and blockin heat, causing the temperature on earth torise. This is known as global warming.

But what has this to do with waste pickers?A landfill is where people take recyclables and

receive money in exchange. But for municipalities,landfills are places that release greenhouse gases,pollute, generate heat and contribute to globalwarming.

Engineers have solutions to getting rid of thesegases which include creating ‘wells’ in landfillsto burn off gas; burning waste in big incinerators;or capturing methane gas on a landfill usingpipes.

Many governments favour incinerators to controllandfill pollution but they are hugely expensive.In Maryland, USA for example, one incineratorcost $430 000 000 (430 million).

An advantage of the incinerator is that itproduces energy (electricity) in a process knownas waste-to-energy (WTE). Municipalities favourthis, but there are problems with WTE. Burningwaste releases carbon dioxide and incinerators

release toxic gases into the atmosphere.Companies also capture landfill gases by

inserting pipes into the waste and syphoning offthe methane gas, which they convert to energy.But methane still escapes into the air.

But municipalities do not favour the bestsolution, which is recycling.

Benefits of recyclingPaper and cardboard are made from wood, so

when municipalities burn them on landfills moretrees must be cut down to manufacture morepaper. But if waste pickers collect paper and sellit for recycling, they can save thousands of trees.Forests are important for absorbing carbondioxide.

Plastic is made of oil so when municipalitiesburn it, more plastic must be manufactured inpolluting factories. Recycling plastic on the otherhand means that industry can reuse it to makenew products.

All recycling has a good effect on climatechange as it prevents waste and pollution. Sowhen waste pickers recycle they prevent harmfulclimate change impacts.

Why do governments prefer WTE to recycling?Industry is taking advantage of climate change

for profit. Companies persuade municipalitiesthat their methods of waste removal are thebest. They ignore recycling as this is bad forbusiness.

Wet, or food waste, rots on dumps and withoutcontact with air produces methane. The solutionis to keep wet waste out of landfills and use itto produce compost for agricultural use. InIndonesia pickers collect wet waste from hotels,

compost and sell it. Hotels also pay them toremove food.

The other possibility is to feed wet waste toanimals such as pigs.

The third possibility is to make biogas. A smallbiogas plant consists of a sealed chamber intowhich food waste is placed and covered withwater. The chamber captures the methane whichpeople can then use to cook or for electricity.

Indian waste collectors do this and sell the gas.Separating dry and wet waste from source is

therefore important and waste pickers need toeducate business and homes to do this forcollection.

Almost everything that incinerators burn canbe recycled. Recycling does not emit toxic fumesso it has better effects on the climate and itcreates ten times more jobs per tonne of wastethan incineration.

CDM threatUnfortunately the ability of waste pickers torecycle is under threat from the CleanDevelopment Mechanism (CDM), an internationalinstitution created by 192 governments with astated aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.CDM awards finance to companies that providelandfill gas systems and incineration, claimingthese reduce emissions, but CDM does notsupport recycling projects.

CDM projects operate worldwide. In Dakar,Senegal, the government aims to close the hugeMbeussbeuss landfill and open a new one usingincineration with CDM finance. Waste pickersare fighting this.

In Delhi, India at Oklha, a CDM project cost 10000 waste pickers their work. The CDM financeda company that installed an incinerator. Thegovernment received finance for implementingthis project, so it ignored waste pickers’ protests.

Bisasar Road landfill is a CDM project in Durbanwhich claims to remove methane to generateelectricity for the poor. In reality it sells methaneto Eskom. The company has fenced off the landfillto pickers.

CDM projects destroy thousands of jobs andignore the good impact that waste pickers haveon climate change.

Waste pickers need to actively promote recyclingas a better alternative and engage governmentsand the media otherwise companies will promotetheir services for large profits.

Waste pickers – Solution to climate change?

«Burning wastereleases carbondioxide into theatmosphere»

«Industry is takingadvantage of climatechange for profit»

«Recycling does notemit toxic fumes andcreates ten times morejobs than incineration»

Continued from page 1

a price. Hotel receptionists were helpful in findingsuch people. “It’s important that people speakto you in a language they are comfortable with,”explained Tuwizana

Keeping within budget“You only have a certain amount of money andyou must keep within this. You don’t want to

get stuck with no money.” Tuwizana’s advice isto always keep your budget in mind, negotiateprices, think on your feet, don’t panic and bepatient.His budget covered transport and food while hishotel was pre-booked. He looked at the hotelmenu to get an idea of food costs and this helpedhim budget.He also built up trust with taxi drivers. “This isimportant, then you know he will assist you. Iinvite taxi drivers for a friendly drink and we

negotiate a price and make the arrangements.One taxi driver even phoned to see if I was OK.It’s important to get the driver’s name, addressand mobile. You may forget something in thetaxi, or need information or something may gowrong.”Tuwizana points out that he only visited majorcities and there is still a need to find other wastepicker groups in smaller towns. “But it will beso much easier now that these first importantcontacts have been made.”

DEIA DE BRITO

In December of last year in Durban, South Africa,waste pickers gathered with many others at theUNFCCC’s (United Nations FrameworkConvention on Climate Change) 17th Conferenceof the Parties (COP17). Delegations from 192countries discussed how to address climatechange and come to some agreement on thereduction of greenhouse gas emissions (see“Waste pickers: Solution to climate change?”to better understand climate change ideas).

In reality there are many powerful corporateand government actors making decisions thatdo harm. These decisions include privatizationof waste management and the UN-backed CDM‘waste-to-energy’ schemes such as corporateincinerators that burn recyclable materials.

At COP17, the Global Alliance of Waste Pickersintervened in policy meetings, held pressconferences, protested, marched and spokepublicly. It met with government leaders andpolicy-makers to build relationships and influencethem to support waste picker recycling work.

As the conference was in South Africa, 70members of the South African Waste Pickers’Association (SAWPA) attended to make theirdemands heard in their country where pollutingenergy companies have a strong presence. Thisstrengthened the Global Alliance.

SAWPA took advantage of the gathering tohold meetings, network and strengthen theassociation. Waste picker leaders fromassociations in Costa Rica, Brazil, India andSenegal also participated and engaged insolidarity meetings with South Africans.

One of the most memorable events that broughteveryone together was the climate justice Global

Day of Action on 3 December. Waste pickersjoined the march and were one of the largestparticipating groups. Their energy was high asthey sang South African struggle songs anddemanded climate justice.

Protest against incinerationTwo days later empowered by the march, theGlobal Alliance held a protest inside theconference headquarters, making their demandson solving climate change very visible. Wastepickers appeared in many media outlets, including"The Mercury, Democracy Now!, IPS, SowetanLive" and "The Citizen". SAWPA, the Allianceof Indian Waste Pickers (AIW) and Neil Tangrifrom GAIA (Global Alliance for IncineratorAlternative) spoke to a BBC reporter on theUnited Nation’s [ital]Climate Change Studio[ital].

After the protest, the Global Alliance held a pressconference. Delegates called for an end to ‘waste-to-energy’ projects backed by the CDM (CleanDevelopment Mechanism) and for a Green ClimateFund (GCF) with direct access for grassrootscommunities. In 2010 UNFCCC member statesagreed that this fund would channel US$100billion per year towards climate change projects.But if the private sector gets these funds, localcommunity projects will lose out.

A just GCF must support community wastemanagement that reduces greenhouse gasemissions, provides employment to large numbersand saves municipalities money.

Representatives from three continents highlightedthat recycling is the best way to reduce greenhousegas emissions. They spoke against CDM-supportedwaste disposal technologies that replace the workof waste pickers through incinerators and landfillgas projects.

Simon Mbata from SAWPA declared, “Wedemand a Green Climate Fund that is accessibleto waste pickers and an end to CDM projectswhich compete directly with us.”

“The most expensive and most toxic solutionis incineration,” said Marlen Chacon, a wastepicker from Costa Rica. “The cheapest, mostbeneficial and healthiest solution is the wastepicker.”

The Global Alliance also asked questions duringa CDM Executive Board session. Musa Nokwe,a SAWPA leader, challenged the board to takeresponsibility for its actions. “Aren’t you the onesthat are supporting the incinerators? Do youreally care about the environment?” she asked.“If you do, why do they continue supportingprojects that are destroying the environment?”

Other activitiesThe first SAWPA national gathering took placeat the People’s Space for three days. It broughttogether 70 waste pickers from South Africa whotalked about challenges and organizing plans.SAWPA also developed its structures anddecision-making processes, with special attentionto the inclusion of women.

“We come to COP17 to say that the governmentmust recognize us as workers,” said SAWPA’sNimrod Mati.

“If African waste pickers unite, they’ll have astronger presence. If they are not united, thegovernment can easily shut down a landfillwithout creating other options. We have to thinkof ways of helping each other,” remarked Chacon.

Members of the Global Alliance also attendedactivities such as the ALBA countries’ (Venezuela,Ecuador, Bolivia and Nicaragua) briefing withsocial movements, where waste pickers putforward demands on the development of theGreen Climate Fund.

The Global Alliance visited two landfills.Marionhill landfill buries mixed waste fromDurban and sells CDM carbon credits from flaringgas. In this way valuable resources are wastedand pickers are excluded from recycling. At thePietermaritzburg landfill, waste pickers exchangedexperiences. Suman More and Sushila Sabale,waste pickers from India, encouraged peoplethere to work together, go door-to-door toeducate the public, and to never stop fightingfor recognition from government.

COP17 has come to an end and it is clear thatwork outside the conference is crucial. It isnecessary to meet with government leaders,decision-makers, corporates and scientists but theGlobal Alliance must also make allies with wastepickers, social movements and civil society groupsthat are fighting for a just climate change solution.

Waste pickers at COP17«Cheapest, most beneficial andhealthiest solution»

Waste Picking in Africa 3Volumen 2.1. April 2012

«We come to COP17 tosay that the governmentmust recognize us asworkers»

Global Alliance of Waste Pickers making posters for the huge COP17 Day of Action march

Deia

de

Brito

Leaders can make or break an organization. Whereleaders are strong and work collectively and listento their members, the organization can flourish.But where leaders just work for themselves,organizations will die or remain only a shell.

An organizer plays an important leadershiprole. This is true whether they are an electedleader, an appointed official or a volunteer. Anorganizer as a leader is usually the person whoeducates and guides newly elected leaders. Anorganizer may have to work with existing leadersto help them change their approach and style.

ChecklistUse the checklist below to find out what yourown leadership qualities are like, and as a guidefor other organizers, worker leaders and members.Qualities of an effective leaderI am:- Committed to organizational objectives,

policies and values- Committed to serving the interests of the

members- A person who understands and is close to the

members- Honest and sincere- Respectful of other peoples’ opinions- Fair when dealing with people of different

sex, religion, colour and politics- A person who listens to what members say

and acts on their suggestions and mandates- Able to work collectively and give as part of

a group- Able to inspire and influence others- Willing to accept responsibility- Ready to admit mistakes and to learn from them- Gender sensitive and committed to the

empowerment of women- Confident in myself and the members- Cool and calm under pressure- Tactful, patient, humble and never rude- Brave, and able to defend myself and my

organization- Active and able to implement things – full

of drive and energy!I do NOT:- Talk too much- Consider myself an expert on everything- Dominate other people’s way of thinking- Manipulate to serve my own interests- Misuse or steal the resources of the

organization- Consider myself a leader for life!How did you

rate? Are you a leader? How did other peoplein your organization rate? Are they true leaders?

Collective leadershipOne of the principles of democratic organizationis collective or shared leadership. Collectiveleadership means leadership by a group of peoplewho make the decisions together throughdiscussion and consensus. It is not leadership byone person or a few people in the group.

Sadly you often find that in worker associations,there are powerful leaders but they act alone.This may be because people only know leaders

who take decisions for people or who controlaccess to money, resources and power.

Members may be afraid, or not interested tochallenge old undemocratic ways of leading. Youwill need to carefully educate people about theimportance and power of collective leadership.You will need to point out the advantages ofcollective leadership to existing leaders and veryimportantly to the members.

How will you argue that collective leadershipis the strongest and most effective? Here aresome points to argue.

- Collective leadership combines everyone’sideas, creativity and experience.

- Collective leadership makes the best use ofeach person’s skills and strengths.

- Collective leadership provides support toeveryone.

- Collective leadership shares power and sharesresponsibility.

- Collective leadership gives praise to thosewho work for themselves and everyone else.

- Collective leadership facilitates openness inthe organization.

- Collective leadership combats corruption andabuse of power.

- Collective leadership combats people whojust want to get the best for themselves.

- Collective leadership strengthens theleadership capabilities of everyone in the group.

Collective leadership is spread throughout anorganization and does not only happen at thetop. A democratic organization has many layersof leaders. Grassroots leaders are the direct link

between members and top leaders and organizersand staff. Grassroots leaders are tomorrow’s ‘top’leaders.

Encouraging women leadersWomen are often excluded from leadershippositions in organizations because men do notwant to be led by women. Women also contributeto the problem when they lack confidence inthemselves or believe that leaders should be men.

Gender roles rooted in tradition and religiousbeliefs, as well as child and homecare tasks alsomake it difficult for women to take leadershippositions. But if you give women a chance, youwill see that they are as effective as men inleadership positions.

Organizations need to represent all of theirmembers’ needs and interests. As women arepart of organizations they need to be representedin the leadership too. It is important to encouragewomen to become leaders. This means we needto target men, discuss with them and raise theirawareness, and challenge narrow traditions thatexclude women. Both men and women need tobe educated on gender equality.

Organizations should also hold discussions withwomen members to increase their confidence andhelp them to see that they are good leaders. We mustall help each other to overcome fears, build new skillsand also provide role models for other women.

The structures of your organization may needto change to help women become leaders. Setdates for a certain number of women to enterleadership and say how many women have tobe in leadership. This is called a ‘women quota.’Set up and give proper status to women’scommittees in your organization and always putwomen’s issues on your agendas.

If you see your organization’s leaders are onlyinterested in themselves and their friends and family,discuss this openly in your organization and withthese leaders. Help them to change their ways andtheir mind-sets – or elect new leaders who reallywant to help the organization’s members.

Organizing Tips 2 – Waste picker leadership4 Waste Picking in Africa Volumen 2.1. April 2012

«Combat the spirit ofthe big man. Combatthe spirit of closedcircles.» Amilar Cabral –former leader Guinea-Bissau

Members of Africa’s unusual women only waste pickers association with an all women leadership

DEIA DE BRITO

The First Central American Conference andAssembly of the Latin American Network tookplace in Managua, Nicaragua in February thisyear. The Waste Pickers’ Association of Bogotá(ARB) brought waste picker representativestogether for the first time from Central Americanwith more active South American countries todiscuss the future of Red Lacre (RedLatinoamericana y del Caribe de Recicladores),their regional network.

There were 17 countries represented at theconference. Prior to 2011 there had been only11 countries in the network, but waste pickerrepresentatives from Red Lacre did a mappingexercise to identify new waste picker groups inCentral America and the Caribbean. During themapping activity, 675 interviews were conductedin ten countries. As a result of this activity sixnew countries joined the network and

participated in the conference in Managua.At the conference 160 waste pickers from the

region came together with about 100 fromNicaragua. The goal was to discuss the challengesthey face, particularly regarding the closure ofdump sites, and to better organize intocooperatives or associations.

The conference was widely publicized in theregional media and supported by localgovernments.

On the first day, Nicaragua’s environmentalminister and the mayors of Managua andBluefields came to show support.

In a symbolic gesture, Managua’s mayor handedthe Red Lacre waste pickers the ‘keys toManagua.’ Luz del Futuro, a women-run wastepickers’ cooperative from Bluefields dump-site,also signed a memorandum of understandingwith their city government that will allow wastepickers to work in better conditions when thelandfill closes. It promised a proper work spaceand that they could continue to be owners oftheir cooperative.

Delegates made some important findings duringthe conference. Lucia Fernandez of WIEGO(Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing &Organizing) conducted a focus group to discussconditions at dump-sites in the region. The groupfound that 79% of waste pickers in Central

America work at dump-sites. This means thattheir working conditions must be improved andsolid waste management systems modernized.

The second day began with another focus groupabout the importance of organizing and thedifferent strategies that waste pickers are using.Alex Cardoso, from the National Movement ofWaste Pickers in Brazil (MNCR) led the sessionand focused on organizing as a way to deal withthreats to pickers and to create models for thekind of inclusion they want.

Cardoso and other Red Lacre membersdistributed organizing booklets produced byStreetNet and WIEGO for waste picker leadersto share in their countries.

Another historical moment that concluded theintense first two days was the drafting of theDeclaration of the First Central American WastePickers’ Conference. It was dedicated to JuanaRafaela Járez Téllez who has spent 50 yearsrecycling in La Chureca landfill, which makes herthe oldest waste picker in the country. Centralto the creation of the Declaration was animpressive democratic voting process.

In the next two days of the Red Lacre Assemblydelegates created three new committees. Thefirst was a Global Committee to liaise with otherregions and participate in Steering Committeediscussions. The second was a Climate Changeand Livelihoods Protection Committee which willwork with GAIA (Global Anti Incineration Alliance)and participate in the struggle againstincineration, among other campaigns. The thirdwas a Gender and Social Inclusion Committeewhich will work with WIEGO in the region.

One of the highlights of the conference waswhen women pickers took control of an assemblysession to focus on their issues. It was the firsttime the Latin American Network consideredgender. “This was not planned or pushed by us,”said Lucia Fernandez. It was spontaneouslyorganized by Brazilian and Argentinean wastepicker leaders.

It is important to note that there were 26women and 26 men at the assembly. This wasbecause of a collective effort of waste pickersand allies to ensure equal gender representationfor each country.

“This was the best conference I’ve ever beento,” said Eduardo de Paula, MNCR leader. “Therewas a lot of participation and strategic discussionsfrom all there.”

Fernandez added, “This conference shows thatwith persistence and patience the process oforganizing this worker category is coming to agood place in that region.”

Central and Latin American first!


Juana Rafaela Járez Téllez is the oldest waste picker in Nicaragua with 50 years recycling in La Chureca landfill.

«Women pickers tookcontrol of an assemblysession to focus ontheir issues. It was thefirst time the LatinAmerican Networkconsidered gender»

«The group found that79% of waste pickersin Central Americawork at dump-sites»

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Mbayo on the UN climate change programme asking,‘Why don’t we just give waste pickers a chance? ...Let them create this zero waste system.

DEIA DE BRITO

Nomacebo Mbayo, 28, seemed reserved. WhenI got to know her better, I found that she wasjust focused on exchanging lessons with womenwaste pickers from across South Africa at theUnited Nations climate change conference(COP17) in South Africa in December 2011.

Waste pickers spoke at press conferences,marched through Durban for climate justice, andlobbied COP17 leaders. But perhaps mostvaluable were meetings they held with eachother at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s‘Peoples’ Space.’

Nomacebo, who is with the South African WastePickers’ Association (SAWPA) responded stronglyin those meetings and began to shine. Duringthe first week, many South African waste pickerleaders spoke at important sessions. Some ofthem were more experienced leaders thanNomacebo. After some returned home,Nomacebo showed her speaking skills.

She first spoke during the last days of COP17at ‘Reclaiming Power: Energy Models that Servethe People and the Planet,’ organized by Friends

of the Earth, about incineration, ‘It’s not anoption. You cannot solve a problem by creatingan even bigger problem.’

She spoke about solutions for cities that wastepickers can take part in. “Biogas is very muchan option. From that, you can use the gas forlighting. In poorer areas people steal electricityto have light.”

She told how recycling preserves naturalresources. ‘You don’t need to go drill for oil ifyou are recycling what you have.’

And she talked about how easy it would be forpickers if waste was separated at source. “Wewouldn’t need a landfill. The wet waste causesthe methane that causes the problem.”

Also, a BBC reporter on the United Nations’television programme interviewed Nomacebo,Simon Mbata (also from the SAWPA), and NeilTangri from GAIA. As the camera rolled,Nomacebo spoke at a fiery pace.

“We need to recognize the South African wastepickers as well as global waste pickers becausethese are people that make sure that climatejustice is done by taking the paper back forrecycling. Out of that we are saving trees frombeing cut ... as well as taking back plastic andrecycling it then we are doing more justice

because the oil is kept in the soil and that iswhat we want. At the same time, what we aredoing puts bread on the table ... It’s creatingjobs which is the biggest problem in South Africa.Why don’t we just give waste pickers a chance?... Let them create this zero waste system.”

Nomacebo has been a waste picker for onlytwo years but her passion outshines herexperience. She went to her mother’s house inCape Town three years ago and was shocked tofind that her mother was collecting waste in heryard. Nomacebo complained and her motherquickly called the middleman to take away therecyclables.

Nomacebo eventually started helping hermother collect and sort recyclables. They walkedthe streets with pushcarts and came up with asmart system. People know them as the ladieswho take away bottles after parties, so manypeople contact them before their weekendfestivities.

Mother and daughter sell the recyclables to amiddleman who takes 40% of what they couldearn. Nomacebo admitted she doesn’t knowmuch about selling recyclables. But things arechanging.

“It’s now in my interest to know how everythingworks – to whom we are selling, who themiddlemen are.”

Why now? Because during COP17 she waselected a SAWPA leader at only her secondmeeting with other waste pickers. Before, shewas an observer but other waste pickersrecognized her leadership qualities and pulledher in.

“Now that I’ve been elected a leader, I needto start coordinating. I need to make sure thatSAWPA gets more members and that the NGOswe work with get to Cape Town and that peopleare aware that people work in landfills.”

The Cape Town group works with about 50waste pickers, but there is much outreach to bedone, especially at landfills. “There are probablythousands of waste pickers in Cape Town.”

“I’m going to start report-backs and deliverinformation at meetings. At first I thought it wasnot my responsibility, but now I’m going to domy best ... I want to see SAWPA on a differentlevel ... especially women need to grow. Thewomen are too quiet and withdrawn. They don’tvoice their opinions ... How is the governmentgoing to take us seriously ... Let the people know,let the government understand that you’re there.”

«Give women waste pickers a chance»SAWPA’s Nomaceba Mbayo

«Waste picking bringsbread to the table. Butit’s not just for us –it’s for the world»

«You must give it timeand people will join inlarge numbers»

«It’s now in myinterest to know howeverything works – towhom we are selling,who the middlemenare»

Deia

de

Brito


KALLY FORREST AND KAPITA TUWIZANA

Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing &Organizing (WIEGO) contracted Kapita Tuwizanato make contact with waste picker organizationsin francophone Africa. Recalling his experiencein Benin in March 2011, he said: “EverywhereI went in Benin people talked about the Women’sAssociation of Waste Pickers. So I went toinvestigate.”

This is what he found:Nearly 75 years ago, Benin women were

collecting household waste to make a living.Although a million people live in the country’slargest city of Cotonou, the city did not haverubbish collection or a city dump. Waste was aserious problem. Over time many waste pickerorganizations emerged but the public andmunicipality did not take them seriously.

Then in 1997, Zopanou Marie Missodji and

four others created Yesuwamê (‘In the arms ofJesus’), later renamed Women’s Association ofWaste Pickers. Their aim was to collect garbageand recyclables and to get women waste pickersinto a structure that would improve their livingstandards and status.

They began by organizing waste pickers whobought empty bottles, cleaned and resold them.The women moved around calling “Goxoto waloo” (“Empty bottle buyers are here!”). “Parentswhose children were chased from school becauseof unpaid fees were selling their empty bottlesto women waste pickers and this helped themto meet their financial obligations,” explainedthe association President Missodji.

At first they had 4 000 members but as peopleconstructed houses around the market,membership dropped and fewer people boughtfrom them. Now the association has about 1000 members, of which 400 women make their

living from reselling bottles. Other women collectin the streets or go door to door collecting waste.

Around 70% of Cotonou’s population uses thiswaste collection system – 40 000 households,as well as hospitals and restaurants. So thesegbobetoo (waste collectors) clean the streetsand keep Cotonou healthy.

The organization consists of a general assembly,permanent bureau and membership. Officebearers are elected in a general assembly forthree years. Meetings are held monthly, quarterlyand annually, and at every meeting memberscontribute a small amount to the running of theorganization. The association has a bank accountand keeps minutes of meetings and financialstatements.

Oxfam Canada assists with projects and hasplayed an important role in organizing thewomen’s association. It built a new recyclingcentre after it was burnt down, as well as ameeting place for waste pickers. It also arrangedfor 270 women to learn to read and write.

Oxfam Canada also developed 15 hectares ofcomposting on municipal land near the airport.Here women compost wet waste and use it tofertilize vegetables which they sell. The vegetablesare in demand in Cotonou’s restaurants!

Over 250 women waste pickers have stalls builtby Oxfam in Cotonou’s market, which at 24hectares is one of the biggest in West Africa.They sell about 1 000 bottles a day, earningabout US$12; during the festive season, theycan earn as much as $122 per day. Their clientsinclude drink makers, vendors of differentproducts, Canadian companies and people fromneighbouring countries.

Commented Tuwizana, “Everyone getssomething out of their work. Poor people getpaid for their bottles as the association aims tohelp the poor. Local and international buyersbuy the 70 different kinds of bottles they sell.And the waste pickers make a living.”

The association gets no help from themunicipality although the women pay theequivalent of US$3 tax a month. They have nosocial protection or health insurance and theassociation does not offer members a savingsor credit programme, childcare or business advice.

The women want to work towards themunicipality recognizing the work they do aswaste pickers and assisting with social benefits,and are keen to work with WIEGO as they pursuetheir goals.

Says Tuwizana, “These women have the "will"to work and move forward and they have"experience". They want to work towards a bigorganization and expand to other cities..”

Women Waste Picker Group in Benin

Transport of bottles is a big issue for the Women’s Association of Waste Pickers.

«Now the associationhas about 1 000members, of which400 women maketheir living fromreselling bottles»

WIE

GO


KALLY FORREST & KAPITA TUWIZANA

“I can’t stand the smell. I know waste pickersaround my place but I want them to first bathbefore I have meetings with them.” So said onedelegate from Fiwon (Federation of InformalWorkers' Organization of Nigeria) at a trainingsession run jointly with WIEGO (Women inInformal Employment: Globalizing & Organizing)in Nigeria.

In March, Kapita Tuwizana, working for WIEGO,trained Fiwon members for two days on how toidentify, contact and collect information on wastepickers’ organizations and support groups inNigeria. He answered the delegate by saying,“Let me share my experience. I have now visitedmany landfills and you have no choice if youwant to make contact with waste pickers. AndI’m still alive and so are they! Soon you don’teven notice the smell.”

Tuwizana continued, “I was glad the delegatesaid this because she allowed me to tell thegroup about my experiences and I could thenshare and address organizational questions. Itold them you have to be open and friendly andgo there, go into their working environment.How you behave is very important.” (see“Tracking waste pickers in West Africa,” whereTuwizana talks about his experiences.)

Fiwon and WIEGO have formed a partnershipto collect information on waste pickers in Nigeria.Fiwon already organizes informal traders so eightof its members, organizers and its generalsecretary were now learning about the best wayto find information about waste pickers. Fiwonmembers often share the same space as pickerswhen they are selling their goods in markets andon the streets.

Delegates explained that finding waste pickersis not a problem as many of them stay wherethey are living. However they wanted to discusshow to get information from pickers who are

busy people and time away from work meansmoney. Tuwizana explained that WIEGO hadprepared questions to help them.

He went through the questions in detail andalso explained that interviewers shouldparaphrase the questions if necessary as somewaste pickers may not understand and manyhave no schooling. So, for example, a picker maynot understand the term ‘income’ so this needsto be explained in a different way. Participantspractised asking questions with one personplaying the waste picker and the other theinterviewer.

“I told them to use local languages if necessary.There are many different languages in Nigeriaso I explained they should find translators thatspeak English and the language in the areawhere they are doing research,” said Tuwizana.

Tuwizana encouraged delegates to inform wastepickers about the importance of findinginformation on pickers across Nigeria so theyunderstand they are not alone in their strugglefor decent conditions and a decent livelihhood.He gave participants information on waste pickersorganizing around the world, on waste pickerprogrammes in Africa and on the Global Allianceof Waste Pickers.

Delegates were very interested in this newnewsletter "Waste Picking in Africa" whichTuwizana gave them. “They returned the nextday after they had read it to ask all sorts ofquestions. They were particularly interested inthe article about Mmapula Baloyi’s visit to wastepickers in Pune, India. They want to show wastepickers this newsletter.”

Internet culture is not strong in Nigeria as manypeople don’t have computers, so the newsletteris a useful information and organizing tool.

The workshop also drew up an action plan.Each participant took an area or city to mapwaste picker groups.

Concluded Tuwizana, “Workshop participantswere interested and keen to have contact withwaste pickers. They asked lots of questions abouthow to approach and organize them. They alreadyhave organizing experience but I was able tosharpen their approach to waste pickers.”

Partnering to organize in Nigeria

«Waste pickers are notalone in their strugglefor decent conditionsand a decentlivelihhood»

«Fiwon and WIEGOhave formed apartnership to collectinformation on wastepickers in Nigeria»

KALLY FORREST AND KAPITA TUWIZANA

As WIEGO (Women in Informal Employment:Globalizing & Organizing) collects informationabout waste picker groups across Africa, it hasfound that different organizations have differentways of funding. There are lessons that can belearned from these experiences.

In some countries, waste pickers contributefinancially to the running of their organizations.Members decide what to give money for andthey make sure that the leadership spends themoney in this way.

Payments from members fund core activitiesof the organization such as meetings where theyneed money for travel and food. It is importantthat members contribute their own money forthis purpose as money from outside funders isinsecure and the organization can collapse if thefunder pulls out.

Self-funding also ensures that waste pickerscontrol their organization and determine itsprinciples, objectives, strategies and activities,and that the organization is accountable to themembers themselves.

In Cameroon, members give money to supporttheir national organization as well as for theirown social security. They have carefully plannedto save money that will help them when businessis bad.

In Mali waste picker organizations have goodfinancial systems and national leadership has toaccount for how it spends money coming fromregions. Leaders are elected for only two yearsso they do not become self-satisfied and forgetmembers’ needs.

But sometimes members have other needswhich they cannot pay for themselves. They maythen get funding from government or non-governmental organizations. Both Benin andMadagascan waste picker organizations get helpfrom outside, and this has been helpful.

In Benin, Oxfam Canada has greatly helpedthe Women’s Association of Waste Pickers (see“Africa’s rare women waste picker group”). It isclear that the waste pickers are using this fundingin ways that can help them in the long termeven if they stop receiving support later. Thewaste pickers feel that Oxfam Canada is

empowering them to make a better living butthe organization is still owned and run by thewomen themselves.

However, lots of donor money does not alwayshelp. Planning how to use money for theorganization is always important. It is alsoessential that members have democratic controlover how the money is used.

Some funding lessonsThe type of funding depends on the organization’sneeds. Every organization needs to hold aworkshop to look at its needs and evaluate whatfunding is necessary. The organization may realizethat it does not need money but rather it needsto build members’ capacity or perhaps it needsto understand how to invest or use the moneybetter rather than getting more money.

Before an organization receives donations itmust make sure that it has skilled people tomanage the funding and that no corruptioncreeps in.

Start-up money is often useful but theorganization needs to plan before receiving it.It needs to discuss organizational problems andwhat activities could solve them. It must collectinformation to plan. Then it must decide whatit wants to achieve with each activity and howthe organization will benefit.

Before receiving any money, waste pickers needto ensure that their organization is democratic.If the leadership is corrupt and not interested inthe members but only in enriching themselves,the money will achieve nothing. Waste pickersmust first build consultation and accountabilityin their organization, especially in the leadership.

Some funding lessons«Self-funding ensuresthat waste pickerscontrol theirorganization anddetermine itsprinciples»


KALLY FORREST

At a South African Waste Pickers Association(SAWPA) Climate Change Workshop inSeptember 2011 in Johannesburg, Neil Tangri,a facilitator, commented, “Companies havestarted to take advantage of climate changeissues so waste pickers should be more of apresence. Waste pickers need the arguments togo to the media and government to explain whytheir solutions are best and also to air theirproblems and to fight for better solutions tomanaging of waste. Municipalities don’t havesolutions but waste pickers do have one andthey are in the best position to implement it.”

This is why waste pickers from all over SouthAfrica came together to learn and discuss morefully how they could become important actorsin fighting disastrous climate change. (see “Wastepickers: Solution to climate change?”) They alsomet to assist SAWPA in building a strongernational movement. These South Africans werejoined by waste pickers from Senegal, Kenya,India and Argentina.

The workshop focused on understanding whyrecycling of waste is so much better than waste-

to-energy (WTE) and landfill solutions to combatclimate change. They learnt that all material thatwaste pickers recycle including metal, paper,cardboard and plastic has a good effect onclimate change as it prevents waste and pollution.Recycling also prevents the burning of wastewhich releases greenhouse gases into theatmosphere. So when waste pickers recycle theyprevent harmful climate change impacts.

Delegates also learnt about destructive CleanDevelopment Mechanism (CDM) projects. CDMis an international institution created bygovernments that aims to reduce greenhousegas emissions. It oversees the world’s wastesystem but it is a failure. It awards finance tocompanies providing landfill gas systems andincineration, but these do not effectively eliminatedangerous gases. And CDM does not supportmore climate friendly recycling projects.

Delegates also heard from other participantsat the workshop how CDM projects aredestroying waste pickers’ jobs in places like Indiaand Senegal.

After learning about the science and politicsof climate change, delegates used role plays topractice how to explain their opposition to WTE

and to put forward more climate friendly waysof dealing with waste.

Workshop facilitators encouraged waste pickersto start planning for "complete" or "zero waste"management solutions including the handlingof wet waste food stuffs.

Finally delegates discussed how waste pickerswere going to take part in COP17 in Durban inDecember that year. They heard how COP17(17th Conference of the Parties) was a giantinternational delegation of 192 countries thatwere meeting to discuss how to address climatechange. At COP17 the United Nations was goingto attempt to get countries to agree on reducinggreenhouse gas emissions. This meeting was agood chance for waste pickers to find theseinternational delegates and convince them ofthe good work waste pickers do.

Waste pickers heard about the unofficial eventsfor NGOs (non-government organizations) andother organizations at COP 17 to meet andpresent their ideas, including to the media. Theyalso heard that on December 3 there would bea massive protest march of about 20 000 people,which they could take part in to protest climatechange and to promote the best waste solutions.

Fighting climate changeSouth African waste picker workshop

Useful contactsCoordinator of WIEGO Africa Waste Picker Programme - Melanie Samson email:[email protected] website - www.wiego.orgWiego address: 521 Royal Exchange, Manchester, M2 7EN, United KingdomInclusive Cities website - www.inclusivecities.orgGAIA (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives) website - www.no-burn.orgGlobal Alliance of Waste Pickers - www.globalrec.org

«If African waste pickers unite, they'll have astronger presence. If they are not united, thegovernment can easily shut down a landfillwithout creating other options. We have tothink of ways of helping each other»Delegate, COP17, December 2011

waste picking in africa newsletter, (april 2012) -...

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