ABSTRACT
Chapter four analyses various forms of ‘informal’ and organized recycling as performed by individuals and groups in different geographic contexts in the global South. To begin with, I define the informal economy and situate the recyclers and waste pickers within the context of ‘informality’. Gathering recyclables can be done under different circumstances, from separating at waste dumps to working in cooperatives, performing selective household waste collection. Basic socioeconomic characteristics of recyclers are introduced. I then present social entrepreneurial initiatives related to recycling operations including recycling cooperatives, networks and social enterprises. In the second part of this chapter I describe the organization of recyclers into social movements, such as the Brazilian and the Latin American movements of recyclers. These new social movements have emerged in many parts of the world, objecting to the injustices committed on the waste pickers and demanding democratic deliberation on issues concerned with waste management. Finally, Brazil’s pro-active legislation related to waste management is examined in this chapter and examples of tools to drive institutional change towards decent work situations for the recyclers are presented.
