Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management © 2023 International Bank for Reconstruction Nothing herein shall constitute or be construed or considered to be and Development / The World Bank   a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The 1818 H Street NW   World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved.  Washington DC 20433   Telephone: 202-473-1000   Rights and Permissions   Internet: www.worldbank.org   The material in this work is subject to copyright. 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The findings, interpretations, and conclusions 522-2625; e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org.   expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments Cover photo: junpinzon / Shutterstock.com  they represent.   Photographs: ©Tukaram.Karve, ©Odua Images, ©Pablo Rogat, The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, ©Alf Ribeiro, ©Dmitry Naumov, ©PradeepGaurs, ©Tong_ or currency of the data included in this work and does not assume stocker , ©Sergii Figurnyi, ©S.SUPHON, ©Art_Photo, ©Michal responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the Knitl, ©angela Meier, ©NITINAI THABTHONG, ©lovelyday12, information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use ©Marianoblanco, ©tawanroong, ©Sellwell, ©Chanintorn.v, the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. The ©Tinnakorn jorruang, ©Insight-Photography, ©vicspacewalker, boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown ©Le Manh Thang, ©Vanatchanan, ©Jazzmany, ©Viewva, on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of ©Vladimir Zhoga / Shutterstock.com. Used with the permission of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the Shutterstock.com. Further permission required for reuse.  endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries.   Design and layout: .Puntoaparte Editores  South Asia’s mountain economies of Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Nepal join the region’s ocean economies of Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to curb marine plastics pollution. This report is part of a larger series of stocktaking and analytical products on plastic pollution in South Asia. This work is undertaken as part of the World Bank’s work program on South Asia Marine Plastics Pollution, which aims to promote circular plastic economy solutions, advance related country-level policy and investment dialogues, and raise awareness of the deleterious impacts of marine plastics pollution on people’s lives and livelihoods. It supports the Bank’s commitment to work with countries of South Asia to pursue and scale-up policies and programs that help them move toward a circular plastic economy and, in partnership with civil society and the private sector, harnesses the power of innovation to bring viable and sustainable solutions for plastic waste reduction and management across the region. The Social Protection and Jobs team wishes to recognize the generous award of a grant from the World Bank’s Rapid Social Response Adaptive and Dynamic Social Protection (RSR-ADSP) Umbrella Trust Fund Program, which is supported by the Russian Federation, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Australia, Denmark, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, GHR Foundation and UBS Optimus Foundation without which this work would not have been possible. 4 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 5 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Contents Figure 1: Potentially beneficial and detrimental forms of formalization for informal waste workers Page 23 3 5 Figure 2: Challenges to the integration of women in formal waste management vis- à-vis the foundations for gender-inclusive waste management Acknowledgements Page 27 Page 6 Figure 3: Summarized role of stakeholders Acronyms in inclusive waste management Page 7 Page 39 Fostering Inclusive Waste Recommendations for gender- Summary Management: the role of inclusive waste management Figure 4: Theory of Change for the 6 Page 8 formalization Page 56 safeguarding of women in South Asia’s Page 22 plastic waste management systems References Page 66 Page 94 Challenges to the integration of women into formal waste management Page 26 Safeguarding the livelihoods of women BOX 1: Eliminating child labor in the informal workers Conclusion plastic sector Page 68 Page 29 4 7 Page 35 1 BOX 2: Safeguarding waste picker livelihoods in the face of bans on single-use plastics Page 36 BOX 3: SWaCH’s decentralized waste collection system run by women waste pickers Informality and intersectional Defining the Roles of Stakeholders Annexes Page 42 vulnerabilities in South Asian Page 38 Page 72 waste systems BOX 4: Partnering with the private sector to 2 Page 11 Role of waste picker organizations and Annex 1 – The Business Case improve labor conditions in Nepal’s plastic civil society in promoting gender-inclusive for Gender in Plastics Waste supply chains waste management Management Page 47 Page 40 Page 72 BOX 5: Public policy supports formal Role of the private sector in inclusive Annex 2 – Solid Waste opportunities for women waste pickers in waste management Management Policies and Bangalore, India Page 45 Regulations Across the South Asia Page 55 Plastic supply chains and the role Region [A Baseline Assessment] of informal workers Role of government and policy in inclusive Page 86 BOX 6: Preventing the loss of traditional Page 13 waste management waste prevention livelihoods in Bhutan Page 51 Page 70 6 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 7 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Acknowledgments Acronyms This report was prepared by a team led by Pawan Patil, Senior Economist, En- vironment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy Global Practice, South Asia ANR: National Recyclers’ Association (Asociacion MTE: Excluded Workers Movement (Movimiento Region, SSAEN [World Bank]; and Adriana Maria Eftimie, Senior Operations Of- Nacional de Recicladores) de Trabajadores Excluidos) ficer, Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, CEMIA [IFC] and included Taylor Cass Talbott, Sectoral Expert Consultant [World Bank]; Jorge Guillermo Barbosa, Blue BPA: Bisphenol A NGO: Nongovernmental Organization Economy Specialist Extended Term Consultant [World Bank]; Sherry Goldberg, Gender and Community Development Consultant [IFC]; and Jen Scott, Senior EPR: Extended Producer Responsibility PET: Polyethylene Terephthalate Gender Advisor Consultant [IFC]. We are grateful for comments and guidance provided by peer-reviewers from IDA/IBRD and IFC: Silpa Kaza, Senior Urban FACCyR: Argentina’s National Waste Picker PPE: Personal Protective Equipment Development Specialist, SCAUR [World Bank]; Clarisse Torrens Borges Dall Ac- Federation (Federación Argentina de Cartoneros, qua, Senior Environmental Specialist, SAEE3 [World Bank]; Sibani Karki, ET Con- Carreros y Recicladores) SASAJA: Samyukta Safai Jagaran sultant, SENCR [World Bank]; Shalaka Joshi, Senior Operations Officer, CEDGB [IFC]; and Charu Suri, Senior Investment Officer, CN4S4 [IFC]. The team also FMCG: Fast-Moving Consumer Goods SAP: Strategic Action Plan acknowledges valuable contributions from Upulee Iresha Dasanayake, Senior Social Development Specialist [World Bank]; Hiska Noemi Reyes, Senior Social GAIA: Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives SEWA: Self Employed Women’s Association Development Specialist [World Bank]; Monika Kumar, Environmental Specialist [World Bank]; Nina Tsydenova, Environmental Specialist [World Bank]; Sachin GBV: Gender-Based Violence SJI: Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative Shahria, Consultant [World Bank]; Amalia Cymrot-Wu, Summer Intern [World Bank]; and Mary Edith Plunkett, Summer Intern [World Bank]. GDP: Gross Domestic Product SWaCH: Solid Waste Collection and Handling This work was made possible thanks to financial support from the Rapid So- GEAR: Gender Equality and Returns TSD: Treatment, Storage, and Disposal cial Response Adaptive and Dynamic Social Protection (RSR-ADSP) Umbrel- la 2.0 Multi-donor Trust Fund (administered by the World Bank); and the IFC: International Finance Corporation UNFCCC: United Nations Framework Convention Human Rights, Inclusion and Empowerment Umbrella Trust Fund (admin- on Climate Change istered by the World Bank). It was prepared as an output of the Green, Resil- ILO: International Labour Organization ient, Inclusive, Development (GRID) Programmatic ASA led by Steve Danyo, UNIDO: United Nations Industrial Development David Tuchschneider and Martin Heger. Overall management support and KKPKP: Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat Organization guidance was provided by John A. Roome, Regional Director for Sustainable Development, South Asia Region; Cecile Fruman, Director, Regional Integra- LDPE: Low-Density Polyethylene UTEP: Union of Workers of the Popular Economy tion and Engagement, South Asia, and Christophe Crepin, Practice Manager, ( La Unión de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de la Environment and Natural Resources Global Practice, South Asia, and Faris LGBTQI: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Economía Popular) H. Hadad-Zervos, Country Director, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives. We are Queer and Intersex grateful to the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) for WIEGO: Women in Informal Employment Global- their endorsement and support of this work. MLP: Multilayer Plastics izing and Organizing 8 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 9 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Summary The ILO’s definition for decent work is used for this report. Plastic waste pollution in the world’s oceans and tics recovery workers, including women and waste It includes workplace safety, waterways has reached crisis levels, degrading pickers, and perpetuate existing inequalities. social protection and social the health of marine ecosystems and affecting the security, equal opportunity, people and economies that they support. The South About 59 percent of post-consumer plastic is pro- Asia Region is the third largest contributor of plastic cessed informally around the world (Pew and productive employment with waste globally, with 8 percent of the region’s solid SYSTEMIQ 2020), with some of the world’s most adequate earnings, rights at waste composed of plastic (Kaza et al. 2018). marginalized workers dependent on materials that Tukaram.Karve / Shutterstock.com work, and social dialogue (ILO). now need to be drastically reduced and more sys- Three-fourths of the South Asia Region’s waste tematically and formally managed. Women, espe- ends up in the environment through open dump- cially those who work informally, are among the poverty and inequality. Fortunately, the best strat- demonstrates how reducing pollution and enhancing ing. At current rates, the amount of waste gener- most precarious workers in waste management. egies for job creation are also those that promote a livelihood prospects are commercially sound strate- ated across South Asia is expected to increase from While solutions-oriented approaches such as the healthier environment (GAIA 2021a) as well as in- gies for companies and investors. Through examin- 265 million tons per year in 2020 to 560 million circular economy are expected to improve waste clude women. For jobs to generate and preserve op- ing the role of women in South Asia’s plastic waste tons by 2050 (Kaza, Shrikanth, and Chaudhary management while also yielding a net increase in portunity for women, a gender-inclusive approach management systems and the challenges they face 2021). Mismanaged waste has serious repercus- jobs (Willeghems and Bachus 2018), women re- to waste management must be employed, informed the report provides recommendations for collabora- sions, especially for under-resourced communi- main vulnerable as they struggle to compete with by the barriers that women face in the sector as well tive action to improve and safeguard women’s liveli- ties, and solutions are urgently needed. In recent men (Beall 2006) and tend to fare worse when faced as by their skills, assets, and contributions. hoods in this sector More specifically, it examines the years, growing awareness about the negative im- with economic disruption (World Bank 2011, 1–19). role of women in South Asia’s plastic waste manage- pacts of plastic pollution has spurred a groundswell The International Labour Organization (ILO) calls A gender-inclusive approach to waste management ment systems and the challenges they face and pro- of investment to improve plastic scrap recovery for an approach to the circular economy centered on seeks to understand the experiences of men and vides recommendations for collaborative action to and transform waste management systems in the job creation, to generate the 600 million new jobs women as actors in each area of the sector, map out improve and safeguard women’s livelihoods in this South Asia Region and around the world. At the that are needed by 2030 and improve working con- the barriers to equality that frame their experiences, sector. Plastic pollution requires ‘upstream’ (waste same time, the plastics waste sector presents a ditions for an estimated 780 million people working and dismantle these barriers to minimize risks and prevention, such as reuse and repair) and ‘down- growing business opportunity for companies and in poverty (ILO 2015a). But current trends in waste maximize opportunities equitably for all genders. stream’ (waste management, including recycling) investors1. While low prices of virgin plastics can research and action linking the circular economy solutions (Pew and SYSTEMIQ 2020). Upstream and undermine recycled products, there is currently a with social justice and worker protection remain This report focuses on the role of key stakeholders downstream solutions fall under the broad defini- supply shortage of recycled plastics for consum- weak (Circle Economy 2020; Kirchherr, Reike, and (policy makers, waste management practitioners, tion of ‘materials management’. The report focus- er package relative to demand from sustainabili- Hekkert 2017), and creating more decent and sus- civil society, informal workers’ organizations, and es primarily on the ‘downstream’ aspect and key ty-forward companies and investors and growing tainable work for women in the informal economy the private sector) in contributing to pollution re- vulnerable actors, who face an imminent threat of regulatory pressure from governments to decrease must remain at the heart of debates around waste duction in South Asia while also enhancing livelihood displacement, but highlights the need to better un- use of virgin material2. Investments into the plas- management, plastic pollution, and public health. prospects for informal waste workers—the most vul- derstand and engage with vulnerable actors within tics waste management sector thus offer both It is important that evolving international develop- nerable of whom tend to be women.3 The report also upstream solutions as well. prospects for commercial upside, and opportuni- ment discourse and associated interventions do not ties to improve human and environmental health. leave women behind and better address the inter- However, they also disrupt waste management sectional importance of human and environmental 3. Across South Asia, economic opportunities are limited for gender minorities and many often do not consider formal systems in ways that can displace vulnerable plas- health, decent work, education, gender, and reduced employment as an option at all because of the fear of discrimination in the workplace. Transgender people and other individuals with nonconforming gender identity and/or expression have more limited options for employment and therefore many earn their livelihood through the informal sector or irregular work (Source: World Bank in-country 1. The global plastic market size was valued at $ 584.7 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $ 753.1 billion by 2026. consultations with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) civil society organizations in India and Asia-Pacific is the largest market of plastic products, accounting for over 50% of the global demand https://assets.kpmg. Nepal, 2020). COVID-19-related lockdown measures have disproportionately affected gender minorities and they com/content/dam/kpmg/gr/pdf/2023/04/gr-the-future-of-industry-focus-on-plastics-manufacturing-042023.pdf now face the risk of long-term financial impact, with no or limited access to social protection (See: World Bank Is- 2. https://www.premiumbeautynews.com/en/the-industry-is-going-to-run-out,22000 sues Paper on the Intersection of SOGI and COVID-19). 10 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s 11 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s 1. Plastics Waste Management Plastics Waste Management The argument for gender-inclusive waste relations, more resilient supply chains, and management is not just rights based but reductions in child labor and domestic also economic. Improvements to waste violence (Chikarmane and Narayan 2005), Informality and management will be more effective and especially when facilitated by or in partnership profitable if women and other marginalized with inclusive organizations such as waste low-income workers are integrated. Gender picker organizations and women’s associations. equality in waste management, particularly Building the capacity of government and the intersectional plastic waste management, can increase private sector to be more inclusive is also company efficiency, innovation, and crucial. Moreover, because women tend to competitiveness; it also has benefits for the be tasked with waste management at the vulnerabilities in economy, as gender disparities in labor force household level, waste management can be participation have been shown to hamper more profitable if designed with gender in economic growth (Devadas and Kim 2020). mind before the disposal stage (Scheinberg South Asia’s waste Wealth inequality may also stymie economic et al. 1999). The waste management sector, growth (Cingano 2014; Dabla-Norris et al. as a provider of improved sanitation and 2015). Gender-inclusive waste management occupational opportunity, can also serve systems can also generate other trickle-down benefits to improve gender equality (Woroniuk and such as improved company-community Schalkwyk 1998). Waste management is predominated by workers operating in the informal economy (ILO 2013), which is characterized by an absence of workplace rights (ILO 2015b). Informal workers are those in non- elicit economic activities that are not covered under formal contractual arrangements and lack social or labor protections such as health care, work hour limits, and unemployment benefits (ILO 2015b). Informal work is commonly also described as and most of them lacking social protections ‘nonstandard’, ‘flexible’, ‘precarious’, or ‘irreg- (World Bank 2020a). Over 90 percent of India’s ular’ (Agarwala 2018). The development of formal workforce is informal, and 95 percent of India’s waste management enterprises in places such as women workers are informal (Ghosh 2021). In- India remains low due to lack of business knowl- dia alone is home to more than 2 million waste edge, funding, and legal guidance as well as poor pickers (Raveendran and Vanek 2020), many of sector development (Singh 2021). whom rely on plastics recovery as a key source of income (Singh 2021). About 700 million tons Across sectors, the South Asia Region has the of plastic is generated daily in Mumbai, nearly highest share of informality among all regions, all of which is collected for recycling by an es- with more than three-fourths of workers re- timated 150,000 waste pickers (Vaidya, Kumar, Odua Images / Shutterstock.com lying on income from the informal economy and Sharma 2016). 12 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s 13 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s 2. Plastics Waste Management Plastics Waste Management Women outnumber men in informal waste work present day. This is particularly true for low-status in many cities (Chikarmane 2012; Kaza et al. work such as waste handling, which has historically 2018), occupying the least secure and least for- been relegated to those of scheduled caste or tribal mal end of materials management. In Delhi, for status. Further, the most precarious and informal example, all women waste pickers are informal, forms of waste work are typically relegated to a so- Plastic supply chains compared with 88 percent of waste picker men ciety’s most marginalized populations, including (Raveendran and Vanek 2020). Women waste women (Aidis and Khaled 2019; Beall 2006; Dias and pickers constitute 1.8 percent of total employment Ogando 2015; UNEP-IETC and GRID-Arendal 2019) in India, compared to 0.8 percent for male waste and migrants. Informality is also intersectional: and the role of pickers (Raveendram and Vanek 2020). in India, for example, workers who are Muslim or scheduled caste are more likely to work informal- Women are subject to lower compensation, less ac- ly (Chakraborty 2021). Gender itself is an intersec- informal workers cess to equipment and resources, and higher risk, tional issue, with nonbinary gender identities often while men predominate better-paid work in more unrecognized and stigmatized in many parts of the formal and secure roles within waste management world, including South Asia. (Aidis and Khaled 2019; Dias and Ogando 2015; GA Circular, 2019; Samson 2020; UNEP-IETC and The intersectional vulnerabilities that excluded GRID-Arendal 2019). Different jobs tend to fall to workers often face, particularly in stigmatized men and women. For example, women are typical- occupations such as waste handling, highlight The rise of plastics production in recent decades, largely attributed ly overrepresented in picking and sorting, which is the need for approaches that can identify and to the expansion of the fossil fuel industry and the increasingly lower paid work, but it is much less common to find protect those workers most likely to face dis- them as itinerant buyers, dealers, or aggregators, crimination and exclusion. Intersectional vul- inexpensive extraction of natural gas (Gardiner 2019), has dramatically which are more lucrative roles typically assumed by nerabilities also underscore the importance of transformed economies and livelihoods. As a low-cost by-product of men, who dominate the informal networks. public consultation and information disclosure, oil-based fuel production, plastic has enabled the mass production of the need for nondiscrimination in the work- Waste picking, like other informal work, is often place, and the importance of comprehensive inexpensive goods and packaging that have made their way into even a last resort source of income, with people en- methods for targeting vulnerable populations the world’s most remote marketplaces. This has had important impacts tering due to a lack of other options (IFC 2013a; so that they are systematically identified and in- on the lives and livelihoods of workers, especially informal workers, who ILO 2015b). Many waste pickers have never worked tegrated. A gender-inclusive approach should another job (WIEGO 2020a). Waste picking is also therefore also be inclusive of people facing other are less resilient to disruptions in local and global supply chains. attractive to refugees and other migrants who lack types of vulnerabilities beyond gender identity. economic alternatives and may be willing to accept more hidden and exploitative work conditions, A gender-inclusive approach to materials Solid waste, particularly plastic, has given rise to dependent on a material economy that is both un- adding complexity to the challenge of improving management in the South Asia Region must an expansive global industry with a large informal stable and rapidly changing. the occupational status of workers in the sector. be in line with strategies to improve condi- sector as its base. Globally, up to 85 percent of solid tions for informal workers, especially those waste workers are informal (ILO 2013), with many Plastic scrap markets are notoriously unstable, and In the South Asia Region, the informal waste sector who face extreme precarity. Strategies to in- if not most of them dependent on the recovery and COVID-19 has further exposed the vulnerability of comprises workers who often face compounding clude informal workers in better, more decent processing of plastics (Singh 2021). Plastic has also the recycling industry to supply chain disruption. vulnerabilities and disadvantages.4 In most South opportunities must also prioritize women, to had, and continues to have, detrimental impacts on Several months into the COVID-19 pandemic, in- Asian countries, caste has been a major factor delin- reach the most vulnerable workers as well as waste prevention workers such as artisans of prod- formal waste collectors across five Asian countries eating job segregation, both historically and into the their children and dependents. ucts from natural materials and providers of reuse (India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and In- and repair services, all of whom operate within a donesia) reported a 65 percent reduction in plastic broad definition of materials management through volumes collected, while recyclers reported an av- 4. Including, but not limited to, gender; sexual orientation; ethnicity and race; caste; class; age; ability/ disability; their prevention of plastic waste and most of whom erage 50 percent drop in demand for their recycled religion; nationality and legal working status; education level; and displacement due to environmental, political, are informal. At the same time, plastics recycling plastic, with 40–60 percent of recyclers and value or livelihood conditions. now supports a massive global labor force that is chain businesses at risk of closure (GA Circular 2020). 14 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 15 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Even alternative plastics processing, such as co- er materials or potential product delivery options. processing in cement kilns, is highly vulnerable to Replacing such materials with alternate product supply chain disruption. Construction slowdowns delivery systems that facilitate reuse could po- during COVID-19, for example, reduced the demand tentially generate more and safer livelihoods, as for plastic feedstock in cement kilns, hurting the could ensuring that a larger share of the materials market for multilayer packaging (GA Circular 2020). entering the market are high value (Anantakrish- nan 2021). The economic challenge of sorting In South Asian countries, the increasing trend low-value material is particularly problematic toward nonrecyclable and low-value plastics is in places where the cost of labor for sorting and exacerbating market instability as well as en- processing exceeds the market value of the sale vironmental pollution and social inequality. In of materials for recycling, as in wealthier coun- India and Southeast Asia, for example, nonrecy- tries. This has led to the development of an ex- clable sample-size sachets now account for 95 tensive but opaque global recycling trade in which percent (by volume) of food and nonfood indus- wealthier countries ship their materials, especial- try sales (Tearfund 2019). The increase in low- or ly dirty or poorly sorted materials, for processing no-value materials, matched with growing ur- in countries with low-cost (and largely informal) banization, consumerism, and waste generation labor and weak enactment or enforcement of labor (Kaza et al. 2018), is exacerbating environmental and environmental regulations. pollution as governments struggle to provide col- lection services at pace with waste generation. As Countries in the South and Southeast Asia re- with most forms of pollution, low-income com- gions are among the major recipients of plastic munities are disproportionately affected, with scrap imports, particularly since the enactment It is still unclear how this will play out in waste recovery workers such as waste pickers of China’s National Sword policy which con- practice, especially between countries such often paradoxically lacking access to adequate tinues to restrict plastic imports to China over as the United States that are not party to the waste collection at home. About 130 million people environmental concerns. Plastic scrap imports convention, given the lack of traceability and live in South Asia’s urban informal settlements flood local waste markets with materials, low- (World Bank 2016). ering scrap prices, overburdening local recycling rise in criminality within global plastics supply systems, and undermining incentives for the lo- chains (Interpol 2020). Regardless, the change The expansion of different plastic types, espe- cal collection and sorting of recyclables (Interpol is expected to generate disruption in the cially multilayer packaging and other single-use 2020) as well as income for waste pickers not in- plastics, has made sorting and recycling more volved in plastics import trades. It is for this rea- industry globally. All South Asian countries are challenging and more expensive. Many waste son that some organized waste picker groups, party to the Basel Convention. picker groups such as India’s SWaCH5 Cooper- such as Argentina’s National Waste Picker Feder- ative advocate for the elimination of single-use ation (Federación Argentina de Cartoneros, Carreros multilayer plastics (MLP) because they are diffi- y Recicladores, FACCyR), campaign against plas- cult and environmentally problematic to manage tics imports. As of January 1, 2021, transbound- and, even when covered under extended producer ary movement of some plastic scrap now requires responsibility (EPR), do not generate significant consent and approval between countries that are income for waste pickers in comparison with oth- signatories of the Basel Convention. 5. SWaCH = Solid Waste Collection and Handling. 16 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 17 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Threats leakage of plastics into the environment which, if implemented poorly, can present a risk to waste to waste picker picker livelihoods. Often, the measures to mitigate plastics pollution result in restrictions on public Exclusionary Policies and Public Privatization: Using private livelihoods access to recyclable material, including through Space Campaings: Campaigns and businesses to collect or process the privatization of waste collection, the contain- policies to promote cleanliness and waste and recyclables can erization (or locking) of public waste bins, and the beautification are often used to expel compete with waste pickers for closure of open dumps. Many governments around informal workers from public and access to materials. the world have also implemented public cleanliness private spaces, and to criminalize policies and campaigns that prohibit the usage of informal waste picking. public space for waste pickers and other informal economy workers such as street vendors. While efforts to mitigate plastics pollution are essential for the protection of human and environmental health, such approaches should be accomplished through, or combined with, efforts that safeguard Pablo Rogat / Shutterstock.com the livelihoods of impacted workers. Locked Bins: Efforts to lock public Waste imports: Flooding recycling Incineration & Chemical Recycling: As is characteristic of other global supply chains With rising waste generation rates and grow- and private waste and recycling bins markets with large amounts of foreign Incineration and chemical recycling (Tewari 2020), there has been little success in ing challenges in managing waste adequately, prevent waste pickers from safely recyclables reduces the price of companies divert materials away enforcing or even mandating labor protections policies such as mandated source segregation accessing materials. materials in the importing country, from the mechanical recycling at the base of plastic scrap value chains. Waste of waste, single-use plastics bans, and EPR may reducing waste picker earnings. Waste industry, undermining waste picker management, namely plastics waste management, help close gaps in waste collection and provide imports are often contaminated with livelihoods. The also tend to be is increasingly known as an industry that profits opportunities for women and waste pickers. But non-recyclables, resulting in the located in poor communities where from the exploitation of low-cost labor under dis- unless policies are designed to also facilitate the burning and dumping of residuals. waste pickers live, polluting the air mal working conditions. Most waste pickers are not economic inclusion of waste pickers and their or- This pollutes poor communities where and soil. organized (Cardoso 2021), and even those who are ganizations, they risk causing more damage than waste pickers live. organized struggle to access labor and social pro- good for informal and women waste workers. EPR tections. Workers at the base of recycling value may, for example, attract competition and sector chains tend to lack agency to influence the terms privatization, as many Indian waste pickers are and conditions of their work, while material value experiencing under voluntary EPR schemes in the and access is highly variable. The proliferation of lead-up to the country’s impending packaging disposable plastics in supply chains has thus glo- EPR policy. EPR initiatives in countries such as balized a dynamic in which waste management is Brazil, Egypt, and Chile are making attempts to sustained by the environmental and economic ex- integrate waste workers in the informal econo- Technology: Waste management Landfill Closure Without Inclusion: Landfill closures often displace ploitation of some of the most informal and pre- my, but more work is needed to assess and track technology is increasingly replacing large numbers of waste pickers from their work. Waste pickers can carious workers within the global economy. the successes and weaknesses of these systems. human labour in waste management organize and advocate to be integrated into formal waste management EPR is one of many elements that is ushering in actors to be more efficient or systems outside of the landfill, such as door-to-door waste collection, Growing awareness and understanding of the the privatization of waste management in many atractive, thereby outcompeting recyclables sorting and processing, litter collection and public cleaning, environmental impacts of plastic pollution has places, as it tends to have a consolidating impact waste pickers. and collection of civil construction waste. provoked investment in efforts to prevent the on the waste industry (Cass Talbott et al. 2022). Source: Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO). For more information about WIEGO’s Reducing Waste in Coastal Cities project, please visit www.wiego.org/rwcc 18 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 19 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Historically, many private sector players have throughout the South and Southeast Asia re- Demonstrating waste picker engagement in the crafting of EPR actively lobbied against waste reduction pol- gions, often serving as an excuse for companies icies such as plastic bans and EPR (Corkery to avoid investment in recyclable and reusable 2019) and have attempted to solve the prob- packaging. In India, producers are implement- EPR is increasingly framed as an important tool for waste pickers into EPR, and the creation of a lem of waste in the environment by investing ing voluntary EPR systems (that precede the im- reducing plastic pollution and sourcing funding workers’ education training that was delivered to in cleanup initiatives and voluntary plastics plementation of existing mandatory EPR policy) to improve waste management, but waste more than 250 waste pickers during more than recovery projects. Companies have tended to that are establishing markets for the recovery of pickers around the world, the most vulnerable of 20 workshops to both orient waste pickers on invest in initiatives that mobilize volunteers multilayer packaging through coprocessing in whom are women, are uncertain whether EPR is EPR and inform the crafting of an official position in litter collection, which have not matched cement kilns and other incineration and plas- an opportunity or a risk. If designed for inclusion, paper on how EPR can be designed to be more the need, may undermine investment in paid tic-to-road projects. These new markets have EPR can generate low-barrier environmental inclusive. In its review of EPR policies attempting job opportunities in litter collection, and often attracted both opportunity and competition for jobs (Rutkowski 2020). In general, though, EPR inclusion of waste pickers, the Global Alliance lack transparency about the quantity of materi- informal workers, though it is overall under - is more likely to disadvantage waste pickers of Waste Pickers has found that ‘inclusive’ EPR als collected (Brock, Geddie, and Sharma 2021). stood that waste-to-energy reduces jobs in the (OECD 2016) and, by and large, continues to be policies are still largely aspirational and countries These initiatives are also sometimes used as an sector (IJgosse 2019; GAIA 2021a). One objective designed in ways that sideline informal waste such as Brazil and Chile that are attempting excuse to resist mandatory producer responsi- of these technologies is to eliminate the need for economy workers (Cass Talbott et al. 2022). In inclusive packaging EPR are still handing over bility policies (Cass Talbott 2021; Corkery 2019). costly sorting and cleaning of materials, jobs that 2018, the Global Alliance of Waste Pickers, with considerable opportunity to the private sector The private sector also invests in material re- are important income sources for workers across support from WIEGO, began working with waste rather than waste pickers and their cooperatives. cycling efforts, usually of higher-value plas- South Asia and the world. picker organizations around the world to identify Governments around the world have struggled tics. While improving single material recycling the impacts of EPR systems on waste pickers or outright neglected to engage waste pickers markets is important, expanding general waste and develop an official position on EPR from and their organizations in the crafting of EPR collection to all residents, including those in in- the perspective of waste picker organizations policies (Cass Talbott et al. 2022), but the Global formal settlements (the burdens of which fall The environmental and health across the five continents represented by the Alliance of Waste Pickers, through its work on disproportionately on women), is urgent and impacts of these solutions are also alliance (Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, EPR, aims to demonstrate what it takes to engage critical to human and environmental health. The problematic and understudied and North America) (Global Alliance of Waste vulnerable workers in policy design. Its work is a private sector can strengthen its accountability Pickers 2021). The process comprised regular useful guide for a Just Transition toward a more to the prevention of litter by supporting poli- and need more attention (Shah exchanges between waste picker organizations circular economy. cies that enable government to facilitate fully 2020), and there is evidence about their experiences with EPR, the (ongoing) remunerated litter and doorstep waste collec- that chemical recycling emits development of case studies documenting Source: https://epr.globalrec.org. tion and by financing cleanup efforts that fairly opportunities and challenges in integrating remunerate all workers and address all waste in more greenhouse gases than the environment. landfilling or coprocessing in cement kilns (Sustainable Solutions Plastics, oil, and chemical companies are in- vesting heavily in the expansion of plastics Corporation 2020). Furthermore, production, which is predicted to be the largest the functional and financial growth market for oil in the next decade, and in ‘chemical recycling’ technologies such as py- challenges to the viability of these rolysis to convert low-value plastics into fuel technologies are resulting in the (James 2019). While producers prefer target- continued landfilling and low- ing higher-value plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, for which scrap tech incineration of materials, such markets and informal collection supply chains as coprocessing in cement kilns, already exist in most places, they are also un- without transparency about the der pressure in some places to establish markets for materials that lack value in recycling. Pyroly- end destination of these materials Alf Ribeiro / Shutterstock.com sis facilities, for example, are increasing rapidly in many cases (James 2019). 20 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 21 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Companies are increasingly subjecting their and waste pickers, ultimately competing with ploring ways to improve labor and environmental more equitable engagements between the private plastics supply chains to traceability programs them for materials. Plastic credit schemes need conditions within their supply chains. This may sector and the informal waste economy. Increas- to help ensure and show consumers that they are more work to improve transparency, engage af- hold promise for women in the South Asia Region, ingly, companies and their social responsibility preventing negative social and environmental fected stakeholders, and work toward constant which is already a world hub for textiles and ap- networks are also emphasizing the important impact. Traceability documents each step of the improvement (Circulate Initiative 2021). Digital parel manufacturing, as the apparel industry is la- role of gender inclusion in waste management. supply chain, from the sourcing of the raw ma- application-based platforms also need to im- bor intensive and generates jobs that allow for skill Global initiatives such as the UN Treaty on Plas- terials through to the final product, illuminating prove transparency so that their social impact building (Lopez-Acavedo and Robertson 2016). tic Pollution as well as the private sector’s active the people and places along a product’s journey. can be better understood, particularly in relation There is also already a growing artisan community engagement as part of the UN Global Compact’s Traceability can be proven through a combination to gender participation and the labor conditions using plastics for textiles and accessories, though Sustainable Ocean Business Action Platform aim of digital traceability, mass balances, invoices, and (income, employment status, and access to social it is unclear how sustainable these livelihoods are to strengthen environmental safeguards in plas- even physical tracers. The private sector is invest- and labor protections) of workers. That said, the as the lower costs and greater scale of industrial tic supply chains. These important efforts must ing in digital technology to improve traceability registration and traceability services that these production continue to outcompete artisanal work, be substantiated with social safeguards. To avoid within the waste system, which can highlight gaps solutions provide can help generate evidence of in the absence of any policies to protect or promote activities that undermine opportunities for waste in plastics management and enable waste workers work that can be used by governments and the the latter. While recycled plastics may generate in- pickers, companies should invest in the co-pro- to better collect and track data. As pressure grows private sector to provide social and labor protec- creased opportunities in the apparel industry,6 it is duction of projects with waste pickers or invest to include waste pickers in formal waste manage- tions for informal workers—as is beginning to important to recognize that synthetic textiles are directly in waste picker-led work and improve ment, some companies are developing digital tech- happen in India and other places. a significant source of microplastic on land and in data collection and transparency to advance nologies that are accessible to people with limited waterways (De Falco et al. 2018) and securing and learnings in best practices. literacy and technological capacity. Despite the po- Growing concern for marine waste pollution is sustaining adequate labor standards requires on- tentially exclusionary effects of technology, it re- increasing the number of companies that are going tending and monitoring. Some private sector companies have their social mains an unavoidable driver of today’s economies incorporating recycled plastics into their prod- standards reflected in a code of ethics or conduct and can provide opportunity for the inclusion of ucts, particularly in the fashion and apparel in- As companies increasingly attempt to reduce that governs health, safety, and other working women and other marginalized groups if they are dustry. Similar to the fashion industry’s significant their plastic footprint, many are signing on to conditions in their supply chains. They then veri- able to use it effectively. Digital technology can in (though perhaps not enduring) efforts to improve plastics recycling targets, which can help bal- fy and enforce these standards with their suppliers some cases, for example, lower barriers to estab- labor conditions at the base of their supply chains ance market volatility, establish stronger mar- through third-party audits, due diligence, and cer- lishing small businesses (World Bank 2020a) and in the years following Bangladesh’s Rana Plaza di- kets for recycled plastic, and hopefully also tifications. In recycled plastics and many other raw even to engaging in informal waste recovery us- saster (Paton 2020), many apparel brands are ex- increase social accountability. There are now materials sectors, though, these audits and certifi- ing social media and digital marketplaces. Digital innumerable plastic reduction-related pacts and cations typically only reach the formal factory lev- technology can facilitate better material and finan- multistakeholder processes that engage or are led el at which materials are recycled or commercially cial traceability, which can better motivate invest- by the private sector with the goal of strength- concentrated, which can leave out the most vulner- ment in waste picker organizations, and support ening recycling. Some initiatives are working to able frontline people in the supply chain (Corkery planning for more equitable distribution of market inform more ethical investment in ocean-bound 2019). Ultimately, a legally binding treaty will likely share opportunity in the sector. It is critical that plastics supply chains through working groups, be necessary to make significant gains in environ- women in particular receive digital literacy train- research, and investment in supply chain infra- mental outcomes within plastics supply chains, but ing and those efforts to design and adopt technol- structure and systems to establish more environ- the participation of women, waste pickers, and oth- ogy in the sector do not lead to the proclusion of mentally or socially ethical plastics supply chains. er informal waste workers will be essential to en- nonorganized workers nor those who cannot adapt Efforts are increasing to develop frameworks for suring that standards are also inclusive. to technology. Tech-based solutions such as Uber for Recycling digital applications and plastic credits, modeled after carbon credits, are also making their way into South Asia’s waste systems, promising to 6. While these jobs tend to be dominated by women, they also tend to be low-paid and low-quality jobs. Programs alter the economics of existing plastics manage- such as the ILO and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Gender Equality and Returns (GEAR) and Better Work ment systems. Tech-based solutions often fail to Bangladesh are attempting to overcome these restraints by training women to take on supervisory roles (Better- Dmitry Naumov / Shutterstock.com benefit more vulnerable groups such as women Work 2019). 22 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s 23 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s 3. Plastics Waste Management Plastics Waste Management Figure 1: Potentially beneficial and detrimental forms of formalization for Detrimental informal waste workers forms of formalization Fostering inclusive 1. Taxation without benefits 2. Costly or administratively challenging registration requirements waste management: 3. Landfil closure without integration 4. Restrictions on public access to waste The role of 5. Privatization of waste management 6. Infrastructure and equipment requirements for contract eligibility without adequate support formalization 7. Restrictions on access to public space without alternative space provisions Beneficial forms of formalization 1. Provision of safe infrastructure and equipment Supporting the working poor in the informal the standardization of practices, the formation of 2. Social and labor protections economy is increasingly recognized as a key organizations and businesses, taxation and reg- 3. Formal and legal access to public space strategy for reducing poverty and inequality istration, legal recognition, the issuing of con- (Chen 2012), with formalization often cited as tracts with social and labor protections, and the 4. Worker registration with attached benefits/ incentives the ultimate goal. As the ILO states in its Recom- provision of infrastructure (WIEGO 2021). Waste mendation 204, the transition of workers from pickers and other marginalized informal workers 5. ID card issuance the informal to the formal economy is key to in- often face the negative forms and externalities of 6. Contracts for services clusive development and decent work for all (ILO formalization, including costly registration re- 2015b). When done well, formalization can be es- quirements; landfill closure and other forms of 7. Legal recognition of informal waste work pecially beneficial for women (Ghosh 2021). restricted access to materials and public space; 8. Support for organizing and taxation without linked benefits such as the 9. Inclusive planning processes Depending on the focus or interpretation of for- provision of contracts, access to infrastructure malization, however, formalization can nega- and investment, and social and labor protections. 10. Investment and access to credit tively affect informal workers (Ghosh 2021) and This is especially true for women, who are more women are often left behind as the waste sector likely to struggle to meet the demands of for- formalizes (Dias and Fernandez 2013; Dias and malization (Figure 1). They may, for example, Ogando 2015; Rudin, Van den Berg, and Abarca be more likely to need registration and taxation 2014; Samson 2003; Scheinberg et al. 2016; UN- support from intermediaries, which increases EP-IETC and GRID-Arendal 2019). Within the their expenses and further puts them at a disad- waste sector, formalization can typically connote vantage (Ghosh 2021). PradeepGaurs / Shutterstock.com 24 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 25 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management and ‘gigification’ of labor. For example, Indi- Formalization can benefit workers, especially management’, around the world in collabora- an railways, public hospitals, and municipalities women, when it is driven by their social and tion with government and sometimes also the are contractualizing their sanitation workers— labor protection. Formalization often targets private sector. Waste picker integration con- demoting workers to independent contract la- enterprises (through registration and taxation) stitutes formally planned materials manage - borers—undermining their income and labor rather than employment conditions, especial- ment systems that recognize and improve the protections (Harriss-White 2020). Gig labor, usu- ly if the motivation is to increase the tax base role of waste pickers in waste recovery systems ally described as digital platform-based jobs ac- (Ghosh 2021). This can increase the cost of op- by building on their strengths and including cessed through smart phone applications, is also eration for small and medium enterprises and them as key stakeholders in design, implemen- growing steadily in the waste sector. The rise of self-employed workers, without producing ben- tation, evaluation, and revision (DEFF and DSI the gig economy and contractualization are often efits such as social and labor protections. La - 2020). Integration can be more transformational part of the proliferation of informal jobs within bor and universal social protections are needed when it is framed as an integration of munici- formal enterprises. to support workers, especially women (Ghosh palities and industry into the existing systems 2021) and those whose occupational status is in of informal recyclers rather than the other way While contract labor and other informal work flux. Increased labor and social protections must around (Samson 2021a). Integration can encom- are often described as ‘nonstandard’ or ‘alter- also be matched with capacity development to pass forms of formalization that are beneficial to native’, they are quickly becoming the norm. increase productivity and a rise in demand for informal workers, by generating social and la- Tong_stocker / Shutterstock.com Unprotected7 informal employment in nonagri- the product or services, or else they can lead bor protections, contracts for workers, formal cultural work, for example, now drives employ- to reductions in employment as a cost-cutting inclusive planning processes, access to infra- ment growth in India (Agarwala 2020). Between measure (Ghosh 2021). structure and investment, and support for orga- Informality remains a persistent and growing 1985 and 2011, informal workers in formal reg- nizing, without displacing vulnerable workers in feature of modern economies and waste man- istered factories grew from 12 percent to 51 per- ‘Waste picker organizations’, which can take the process. These systems emphasize economic agement systems despite the global develop- cent in India (NSS 2012). Poverty figures show shape as cooperatives, membership-based distribution (and redistribution) through suffi- ment push toward formalization (Agarwala 2020; that increased productivity and formal work are organizations, nonprofits, mutual aid net- cient low-barrier opportunities to build on the Chen and Carré 2020; Harriss-White 2020; ILO- correlated with declining wages and working con- works, foundations, trusts, unions, and so- skill set and needs of informal workers and resist WIEGO 2013; O’Neill 2019; World Bank 2020a). The ditions overall, suggesting that formalization is cial enterprises, help implement waste picker trends toward automation through the promo- primary achievement of twentieth century labor happening at the expense of other workers (Agar- integration, often also called ‘inclusive waste tion of labor-intensive systems. movements, which largely excluded women and wala 2018). informal workers, was in securing formally regu- lated work and protections for [some] workers. But To benefit informal workers, formalization to cut costs, states and employers have responded should establish accessible pathways and ben- by sidestepping such regulations through infor- eficial incentives for informal workers to move mal employment (Agarwala 2018). Governments into more decent and formal work if desired but and the private sector tend to talk about the im- should not destroy informal opportunity with- portance of enterprise formalization while at the in the economy (Chen 2012). It is important to Within an inclusive waste same time promoting labor deregulation (Madhav recognize that formalization does not work for management system, and von Broembsen 2021). This generates a ‘false everyone (Chen 2012) and the eradication of in- informal workers are more formalization’, in which formal companies use in- formal opportunity does not necessarily lead to able to find low-barrier formal labor to reduce costs (Ghosh 2021). formalization but can rather lead to unemploy- ment (Scheinberg et al. 2016). This emphasizes pathways to formal, fairly In South Asia and across the world, sanitation the need for formalization processes to be de- remunerated, stable jobs that were once formal are now being re-in- signed specifically to improve employment con- work to advance in value formalized, through the ‘contractualization’ ditions for workers. chains within the system (UNESCAP 2021). 7. Lacking labor or social protections. 26 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 27 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Challenges to the Figure 2: Challenges to the integration of women in formal waste management in relation to the foundations for gender-inclusive waste management integration of women into Challenges women face to their integration in formal waste management formal waste management Women play a key role in all aspects of waste gen- 20.5 percent in India and steadily declining (com- eration and management, from shopping and the pared with 77 percent and 76 percent, respectively, selection of products to household and communi- for men) (ILO 2020b; World Bank 2020c). Even before ty cleaning work to waste picking and employment COVID-19, which affected women disproportionately, in waste management. All these roles present chal- women in Pakistan were 12 percentage points more Burdened by Vulnerable to Less visible at work Limited access to More limited by lenges to women’s advancement as workers within likely than men to be unemployed and 8 percentage unpaid work precarious work and in data education, economy technology and upward mobility waste management systems, factors that need to be points more likely to be looking for work (Taş et al. understood to lower barriers to their participation 2021). Women in Asia and the Pacific perform four Foundations for gender-inclusive waste management at all levels of the materials management industry times more unpaid care and home care work than (Figure 2). While private companies or municipal- men (ILO 2018) and almost ten times more in India ities that preside over plastic waste management (MGI 2015). Women in Pakistan spend 11 hours for ev- systems and facilities can greatly benefit from un- ery 1 hour that men spend on household and caregiv- Ensure fair derstanding the complexity of the sector-related is- ing work (Taş et al. 2021). In this region, men perform remuneration sues impacting women and vulnerable populations the lowest share of unpaid care work of any region and support with – they do not necessarily need to possess deep ex- (ILO 2018), and low-income women spend signifi- unpaid work pertise to engage constructively on gender. As the cantly more time performing unpaid care work than case studies covered in this report attest to, there are higher-income women (Lawson et al. 2020). In Pe- Build from plenty of innovative partnership models, advisory shawar, where women’s labor force participation is what exists with Strengthen appropriate safety, health support, and intermediary organizations available just 13.4 percent, only 7.6 percent of women are free technology and sanitation to help facilitate this process. to decide to work outside the home, and it is estimated that their labor force participation could increase by Women are burdened 7 percent just by gaining more access to employment information (Redaelli and Rahman 2021). COVID-19 Recognition of the by unpaid work has increased women’s unpaid care work around the world (Ghosh 2021; ILO 2020a; World Bank 2020). intersectionality of gender with other forms of marginalization Women predominate in unpaid home and com- Women are often enlisted as volunteers, or under- munity care responsibilities, including shopping, paid workers, to conduct waste sensitization out- childcare, cleaning, and waste management, which reach (usually to other women) or perform waste Increase access Increase can inhibit their involvement in education and paid management (Fredericks 2018; Scheinberg, Muller, to capital, representation work (Aidis and Khaled 2019; Dias and Fernandez and Tasheva 1999), deepening their undervalued land and in research 2013; Dias and Ogando 2015; ILO 2018; UNEP-IETC role in the sector. In India, where informal women infrastructure and data and GRID-Arendal 2019). The World Bank estimates workers earn less than half the wage rate of infor- that decreasing a woman’s unpaid care work by an mal male workers (Chakraborty 2021), women oc- Increase access to average of two hours per week can correlate to a 10 cupy some public sector positions that have been education, percent increase in her workforce participation (Fer- informalized to such an extent that workers are la- information rant, Pesando, and Nowacka 2014). Women’s labor beled as ‘volunteers’ receiving ‘stipends’, to side- and influence force participation in South Asia is 23.5 percent and step minimum wage laws (Ghosh 2021). 28 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 29 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management In Pakistan, increases in female labor force partic- vantage from an early age. The need to bring their ipation between 1992 and 2015 (before it began to kids to work may also disqualify women for inclu- decline) were largely in unpaid agricultural work sion in more formal work opportunities, which is BOX 1: Eliminating child labor in the plastic sector (Taş et al. 2021). In some places, women are con- yet another reality that is exacerbated by economic testing their underpaid role in the waste sector. strain as seen in the rise in child labor as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (World Bank 2020d). There are approximately 16.7 million child Entities that buy from waste collectors need to Argentina’s Environmental Promoters (Promoto- laborers across South Asia (excluding pay fair rates for materials. Entities that employ ras Ambientales) program provides one such exam- ple. The environmental promoters, supported by Women are more Afghanistan) by conservative estimates, although estimates vary for children working in the waste waste collectors need to pay living wages so that collectors’ children are not required to FACCyR as well as Argentina’s Excluded Workers Movement (Movimiento de Trabajadores Excluidos, vulnerable to sector. Handling and collecting waste can be hazardous work that creates serious health and work for additional income and should formalize employment such that collectors have access MTE) and Union of Workers of the Popular Econ- precarious work safety risks, particularly at open and unsanitary to health and social benefits, childcare and omy (La Unión de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de la dumpsites. Informal waste workers are exposed schooling options for kids, and labor protections Economía Popular, UTEP), are women waste pick- Women in communities without proper waste to medical waste including syringes, human such as collective bargaining and the right to ers who were able to secure the first gender-ori- collection face disproportionate risks in trying to waste, toxic smoke from open burning at waste association (Moussié 2016). Governments should ented public policy in their country’s waste sector, manage waste on their own. Universal waste col- sites, and chemicals. Children who work in the ensure labor regulations such as minimum which provides women with a government contract lection remains challenging, especially since many waste sector experience serious health impacts wages, sick pay, and parental leave, as well to provide paid doorstep waste sensitization. Sim- of the proposed solutions to plastic waste pollu- at a far greater rate than other children; this as social protection such as health care and ilarly, FACCyR’s female environmental guardians tion do not incentivize the collection of some of the includes anemia; gastrointestinal diseases; universal childcare, to support such efforts. have municipal contracts in some coastal areas of most hazardous types of plastic. Women tending respiratory issues; and injuries including from Companies that utilize recycled plastics in their Argentina to collect litter on beaches and sensitize burning piles of household waste is a ubiquitous sharp objects (Chintan 2018), lifting heavy objects, end products should also trace their supply the local population to properly dispose of waste.8 sight across the South Asia Region, with burning and falling at dumpsites or off waste trucks. chains and build in sufficient wages for the plastics linked to serious health concerns (Cook people collecting plastics. Because women predominate in household clean- and Velis 2020). Women also put themselves at risk Within the waste sector, the primary drivers ing, waste management, and shopping duties, they of gender-based violence (GBV) when trying to find of child labor are household poverty and Affordable quality childcare options for young are often exclusively targeted in waste reduction hidden or distant places to dispose of waste (GA lack of access to education in informal waste children not yet in school or even after-school sensitization, entrenching their role as unpaid Circular 2019). Specific occupational health risks collection communities. A survey of informal programs for older children that parents are household waste managers, cleaners, and shoppers are also present for women (particularly pregnant waste workers in Delhi found that 25 percent of comfortable with are essential to allow mothers and discouraging male participation. Targeting women) who are working with plastic waste and/or children in waste collection families work and to work without bringing their children to work. women may result in faster short-term improve- living in local communities where plastic waste of- the vast majority (90 percent) work in waste- Specifically, childcare needs to be available at ments in waste management, but it further anchors ten ends up before collection. Bisphenol A (BPA), a related livelihoods and do not go to school (80 hours that allow women in the plastics sector their informal role in the sector (Harriss-White component in many hard plastics, is a known hor- percent) (Chintan 2018). Although the issue of to work, which can include early mornings. The 2020). This form of gender bias risks feminizing mone disruptor; studies have linked it to increases child labor is complex, since simply banning or private sector, government, nongovernmental recycling and waste prevention such that men feel in diabetes, heart disease, birth defects, early pu- ending child labor can force a family further into organizations (NGOs), and waste picker averse to engaging with the issue (Swim, Gillis, and berty, and elevated levels of certain liver enzymes. poverty in the short term and does not solve the organizations can all contribute to ensuring that Kaitlynn 2020), which can hinder waste prevention Plastics marked as BPA-free still often contain any issue of access to education (particularly when quality childcare is available either for free or goals and place added burden on women. number of hormone-disrupting chemicals (Stann there are school fees or costs), governments at an affordable cost for women working in the 2020). Women who have everyday contact with must contribute solutions and viable education plastics and waste sectors. Studies have also Women’s home care duties can lead to child la- BPA from plastics have an increased risk of mis- pathways for families to ensure they are not shown that providing access to childcare for bor if women lack sufficient resources for safe carriage, polycystic ovarian syndrome (which is relying on their children to work for basic employees yields business gains.9 childcare options, which can expose children, es- known to cause infertility), baldness, and breast household income. pecially girls, to dangerous conditions and disad- cancer (Cariati et al. 2019). 9. Tackling Childcare: The Business Case for Employer-Supported Childcare (ifc.org) 8. WIEGO. “Reducing Waste in Coastal Cities through Inclusive Recycling.” Accessed July 30, 2021 https://www. wiego.org/rwcc. 30 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 31 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Women are more likely than men to seek out in- Women are more vulnerable to inadequate oc- dependent, flexible, and informal work due to cupational health and safety conditions, such home and childcare responsibilities (MGI 2018) as poor access to bathrooms or washing facili- or to avoid potentially dangerous circumstanc- ties, which can expose them disproportionately es such as domestic or sexual violence (Samson to risk of violence and illness. Informal and pre- 2020). This affects their working schedules, loca- carious work exposes women disproportionately to tion, and methods in ways that can inhibit their mental and physical illness and violence, includ- ability to compete with men for access to mate- ing heightened risk of sexual violence while work- rials and more stable work opportunities, wors- ing (Dias and Ogando 2015; Madsen 2005), further ening the already precarious nature of informal preventing their ability to maintain stable work. waste work. In Dakar, Senegal, recent changes to Discussion about occupational health and safety collect and dispose of household waste at night in- tends to focus on protective equipment, a focus stead of during the day undermine the livelihoods that has received still more emphasis during the of women waste pickers on the city’s Mbeubeuss COVID-19 pandemic. But secure, ergonomic, and dumpsite because picking at night is more dan- well-ventilated infrastructure, with safe access to gerous and conflicts with childcare duties (WIEGO bathrooms and clean water for washing (DEFF and 2021). Domestic violence can inhibit women’s abil- DSI 2020), is equally important and deserves more ity to work freely, which is often exacerbated by attention and funding. economic strain, as witnessed in the rise in child and gender-based violence during the COVID-19 Women are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse pandemic (World Bank 2020d). COVID-19 has ex- in waste value chains. The structure of the in- posed particular vulnerabilities for people in coun- formal plastics waste management sector relies tries that have not invested sufficiently in the care heavily on middlemen who buy materials from sector, especially for women (ILO 2020a). waste pickers and sell them onto the market. Policies to phase out harmful chemicals used in Women rarely advance in supply chains to the lev- The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dis- el of ‘middlemen’ and face a constant risk of ex- packaging plastics, such as brominated flame proportionate vulnerability of informal workers to ploitation and a thick glass ceiling in the industry. retardants (BFRs), BPA, phthalates, and lead, and disruptions in supply chains (World Bank 2020a), policies that ban harmful plastics such as vinyl and polystyrene (Shah 2020) should be urgently adopted. including those in recycling trades (Krishnan and Backer 2019) and especially women (ILO 2020a). Women face The environmental injustice of inadequate waste Women’s jobs have been more negatively affected by COVID-19 and are less likely to rebound since the invisibility in public, management options in low-income communities pandemic (ILO 2020a; Taş et al. 2021), with the full at work, and in data underscores the need for plastic pollution prevention impact yet to emerge. Women now struggle even more than before to retain an equal footing in the efforts to prioritize interventions that result in more economy, with their COVID-19 experience shaped Women tend to engage in more hidden forms of complete collection of household waste. by a rise in domestic and workplace violence, great- waste work than men, often to avoid dangerous er care responsibilities, work insecurity, and a dis- situations or social stigma. Women waste work- proportionate lack of access to working capital and ers present a particular challenge to researchers digital tools such as mobile phones (ILO 2020c). in the South Asia Region, where women are more Women are also disproportionately vulnerable to likely than men to be working out of public view. other types of crises such as the extreme events and For example, in countries such as Nepal, women ecological threats that are associated with climate waste pickers tend to work in more hidden circum- change (World Bank 2011), indicating that women’s stances, in informal sorting facilities or processing empowerment and economic stability are central to materials at home or in dumpsites, where they are community resilience. often overlooked by data collection efforts. 32 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 33 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management often lacks data and evidence of their impact due to women are edged out of the sector or pushed into Women are less likely to be represented in, and a dearth of suitable indicators and the lack of fund- more precarious work. Privatization of waste man- therefore supported by, people in higher de- ing for measuring impact (Circle Economy 2020). agement, which can exacerbate the negative im- cision-making roles (Samson 2003). Men are Fortunately, a growing number of researchers are pacts of informality (Samson 2015; Scheinberg et more likely than women to have financial sup- interested in documenting the informal waste al. 2016) and negatively affect waste services and port from family or credit institutions (Schein- economy around the world, and initiatives such gender equity (Samson 2003), can play a core role berg, Muller, and Tasheva 1999). Advancing as the Global Alliance of Waste Pickers and the in restricting waste picker access to waste (Wegh- women in organizational leadership helps center Environmental Justice Atlas help track key issues mann 2020). Indian organizations such as Chin- women’s issues, better enabling women’s labor facing waste pickers around the world. tan have reported a 50 percent loss of waste picker force participation over the long term. Capacity livelihoods as a result of waste sector privatization, development and leadership opportunities with- Lack of mechanisms for gender-disaggregat- which also threatens established waste picker or- in Argentina’s waste picker movements, for ex- ed data collection and the lack of recognition for ganizations such as the SWaCH cooperative (Singh ample, helped female waste picker María Castillo informal waste work as an employment catego- 2021). The privatization of landfills, in particular, is to recently (Aguilera 2021) be selected to head ry within country-level statistics bureaus hinder known to disrupt waste picker livelihoods (Schein- the National Directorate of the Popular Econo- research on waste pickers, especially women, with berg et al. 2016, Dias 2018) and contribute to the my (part of the Ministry of Social Development). advocacy needed to close these data collection consolidation of the waste sector. Privatization can Women in positions of power may also be more gaps (Grambangla Unnayan Committee, Child- also undermine material diversion for recycling and inclined than men to support progressive envi- Sergii Figurnyi / Shutterstock.com Hope UK, and Big Lottery Fund 2017a) and train can exacerbate pollution in low-income commu- ronmental policies, as seen in cases of plastic bag governments to collect and use such data. nities (Sandhu, Burton, and Dedekorkut-Howes bans in places such as Rwanda and Ladakh hav- 2016). Source segregation of waste initiatives that ing been initiated by women. Hidden gender relations can obscure important are designed without waste picker inclusion, and information for waste management planning. In some places, for example, men control financ- Women often ‘containerization’ efforts that usher in the locking of public trash cans and recyclable materials recept- Throughout the plastics waste management val- ue chain in emerging markets, women are less es but may not value (women-dominated) waste work and are therefore less willing to pay for it. lack access to ables, can also have significant negative impacts on the livelihoods of informal waste pickers, especially represented in opportunity niches that correlate to higher financial potential. This is true of the For the same reason, women may have to pay for education, economic women. For informal waste pickers, access to waste division of labor within the informal workforce opportunity, and it from their own income (Scheinberg, Muller, and constitutes the right to work and is increasingly ac- and plastic waste entrepreneurs who formalize Tasheva 1999). knowledged within a human rights framework. into companies. upward mobility Lack of research and attention on waste and Women around the world hold just three- Businesses such as aggregators, women inhibits their inclusion in development fourths of the legal rights that men have, with plans. Though waste is a highly gendered issue, Lack of education and exposure to training oppor- all South Asia Region countries ranking among material processing company meaning that women are active but marginalized tunities inhibits women’s advancement and ability the lowest in the world for gender equality in owners, landfill operators, and within the sector, globally there is little infor- to compete in the waste sector. About 66.5 percent law (World Bank 2021). Women are disadvan- mation about the link between gender and waste of women waste pickers in India (and 100 percent taged under the law in areas related to mobility, dealerships/brokerships are still (Beall 1997; Dias and Ogando 2015; Samson 2020; in Delhi) have less than a primary level of educa- marriage, pay, ownership of assets, social ben- overwhelmingly male owned— Scheinberg, Muller, and Tasheva 1999; UNEP-IETC tion, with only 4.8 percent having a secondary level efits such as pensions, parenthood, entrepre- as are technology and platform- and GRID-Arendal 2019), especially plastic waste or higher education (Raveendran and Vanek 2020). neurship, and workplace rights. Greater gender and regarding the informal waste sector. Plastic equality under the law is linked with higher labor based start-ups that aim to bring waste management studies do not usually address Women are also disproportionately unaware of force participation rates and fewer female work- more transparency to the plastics gender, and the sustained integration of women their labor rights and social entitlements, which ers in precarious work. Having women in posi- value chain and simplify logistics into solid waste management globally has been can lead more easily to exploitation (Ghosh 2021). tions of power to influence the law is important negligible (Aidis and Khaled 2019). Furthermore, to improvements in women’s economic oppor- for companies to purchase from social and solidarity economy work, like that of Dumpsite closures and other disruptions to public tunity (World Bank 2021). the informal waste sector. many women’s and waste picker organizations, access to waste are among the key junctures where 34 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 35 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Women are more Safeguarding the improve traceability and data collection and gig platforms such as ‘Uber for Recycling’ businesses limited by the livelihoods of women in which workers can be independently contract- introduction of ed in the doorstep collection of recyclables. India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are home to some of technology the largest concentrations of gig platform work- ers in the world (Rong and Djankov 2018). India has the highest number of gig workers, with 24 informal workers Technology-intensive systems reduce low-bar- percent of the world’s online labor (Atal 2020). rier opportunities for waste pickers and contrib- Anecdotally, gig platform applications can pro- ute to job shortages (Chen 2012), often in parallel vide opportunities for waste pickers but tend to Safeguarding livelihoods in the waste sector informal workers, inclusion of vulnerable work- with economic shifts reducing formal employ- privilege men and more resourced waste pick- means safeguarding labor rights and human ers, such as women waste pickers, must be pri- ment (Scheinberg et al. 2016). Women are more ers, itinerant buyers, and intermediaries in the rights amid high levels of informality and an oritized. Supporting the most vulnerable actors likely to be limited by lack of literacy, training, or system—especially those with their own trans- absence of sufficient worker protections. Waste in waste sector supply chains, through inclusion technical skills and may not adapt as well to tech- portation and smart phone. Women earn 8–10 management is of critical importance to poor and informal worker-directed formalization/in- nological change (Aidis and Khaled 2019). Waste percent less than men in gig work and face many communities and marginalized populations— tegration processes, strengthens waste manage- systems based on automation and capital-in- of the same gender barriers as with traditional both as a source of livelihoods and often as the ment overall by accounting for the most hidden tensive technologies such as incineration gen- work (Atal 2020). Women in South Asia are also sole source of sanitation and health. This com- and overlooked human, material, and labor as- erate significantly fewer jobs than recycling or 19 percent less likely than men to own a mobile plicates efforts to improve waste management pects of waste systems. reuse, especially in comparison with waste pick- phone and 36 percent less likely to use mobile and underscores the important role of organized er-based systems (GAIA 2021a; IJgosse 2019), internet, down from 28 percent and 58 percent, and coordinated efforts, to allow workers to rep- Safeguards are increasingly mandated as con- increasing competition for jobs in a sector that al- respectively, in 2018 (GSMA 2021). resent themselves and their communities and to ditions of financing from investors. IFC’s Envi- ready disfavors women. The prohibition of manual influence the terms and conditions of their work ronmental and Social Performance Standards, the transportation equipment such as human- and an- Digital platforms are also introducing new actors over time while backed by just policies and invest- World Bank’s Environmental and Social Frame- imal-powered carts also advantages workers and into the sector—usually as formal companies ments at all levels. work, and the Equator Principles, for example, serve businesses with more resources. The World Bank, that contract informal gig workers—increas- as risk management frameworks for investments. in its ‘What a Waste 2.0’ report, acknowledges that ing competition for waste pickers while still not Safeguarding livelihoods means navigating high-tech solutions are often not the best option generating more formal work. COVID-19 has fur- monumental disruption to the industry as the in waste management (Kaza et al. 2018). thermore highlighted the importance of e-com- global community pushes for improved plastics merce in the region, which is more challenging management and more ethical supply chains. Technology can undermine the power of work- for women and informal workers to access (World Transition and economic adjustment often co- ers to organize by reducing a company’s de- Bank 2020a). But if women and other more mar- incide with the expansion of informal employ- pendence on workers or dispersing them ginalized actors in the waste sector can be trained ment, not of formal employment (Chen 2012), geographically, which can deteriorate the quali- to use them, these technologies could be used to so these transitions must be navigated carefully. ty of jobs (Heintz 2020; Rani 2020). On the other improve social and labor protections in the sec- Concepts such as ‘Just Transition’ and ‘Liveli- hand, lack of access to technology that can po- tor. India’s Code on Social Security of 2020, for hoods Safeguarding’, which propose protection tentially benefit workers can similarly hold in- example, includes gig platform workers, requir- or retraining for livelihoods affected by disrup- formal workers back. Lack of equitable access to ing them to register with the government and tion, remain understudied and enigmatic in the technology has made participatory engagement making them eligible for certain social and labor waste sector. The ILO’s recommendations for and training of waste workers more difficult protections. Because gig platform work is doc- Just Transition to a green economy include “ad- during COVID-19, for example (WIEGO 2020b). umented through a digital application, it can be equate and sustainable social protection for job relatively straightforward for the government to losses and displacement, skills development and Digital technology is growing unabated in South include this type of work within social protection social dialogue, including the effective exercise Asia and the world and is playing an increasing- schemes. Digital platforms that facilitate access of the right to organize and bargain collective- ly disruptive role in waste management, espe- to social protections and welfare programs are ly” (ILO 2017).To prevent disruptions in waste S.SUPHON / Shutterstock.com cially for women. This includes digital tools to increasingly common in countries such as India. management from displacing the livelihoods of 36 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 37 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Investors also require and often guide compa- nies toward improved environmental, labor, BOX 2: Safeguarding waste picker livelihoods in the face of bans Pune, Indore, and Nainital, Chintan produced community, and gender practices. Companies recommendations to create a fairer and more on single-use plastics that demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding inclusive ban on single-use plastics in India. First, women informal workers are likely to attract more they advocate the reorganization of the stages financing opportunities because of investors’ in- The Ministry of Environment of India announced with over 40 percent of their income derived of the ban such that low-value, nonrecyclable terest in being associated with lower-risk, ethi- amendments to the 2016 Plastic Waste from plastic collection (Ghanekar 2021). Waste items such as MLP and plastics containing cal, and innovative practices. Beyond safeguard Management Rules stipulating the elimination management systems are similarly reliant on harmful chemicals are phased out first. In frameworks, investors are now actively promot- of single-use plastics in three phases, starting in waste pickers; the informal sector accounts for contrast, PET and packaging materials made of ing best practices, providing technical guidance, 2021 through 2022 (Sambyal 2019). If executed the majority of the labor behind India’s plastics low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which make and instituting targets, such as gender diversity strategically, plastic bans and taxes can not only recycling (UNDP 2021). up 50–60 percent and 20 percent (respectively) targets. Safeguards are also emerging at the gov- effectively reduce plastic waste usage but also of plastic sold by waste pickers, should be ernmental and intergovernmental levels. For ex- increase demand for zero waste event services The environmental research group Chintan, phased out last. The proposal also calls for the ample, in March 2021, the European Parliament, and segregation rates, leading India closer to a along with its partners in India such as Hazard inclusion of institutional commitments to the in recognition of the limitations of voluntary due sustainable and circular economic system (Willis Center, Hasiru Dala, and the Kagad Kach Patra formal training and retraining of waste pickers diligence, proposed legislation to mandate hu- et al. 2018). In the context of India’s relatively Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP) waste picker in the legislation to compensate for lost income. man rights and environmental due diligence in limited waste management capacity and high trade union, developed and are advocating for the supply chains of companies established or rates of plastic use, approximately 1.5 million a proposal to ‘Plan the Ban’ to ensure that the Most waste workers are essentially specialists operating in the European Union. informal workers are essential stakeholders needs of waste pickers are incorporated into in their field, so the most common alternative in the picking, sorting, and reuse of plastic. the upcoming legislation and the livelihoods livelihoods among waste pickers—including A hybrid system that enables the informal econ- Waste pickers are highly dependent on plastic, of waste picker are safeguarded. Based on wet waste management, housekeeping omy to thrive alongside the formal economy extensive surveys, plastic audits, and group services, and restoration and resale services— (Chen 2012), with positive rather than punitive discussions with waste pickers in Delhi, should be targeted for capacity building and incentives to formalize workers, particular- support as well. Many waste pickers also ly women, is needed. This demands labor-in- already provide reuse and repair services, tensive growth (Chen 2012) with more effective which, with the provision of space for such distribution of income and opportunity, flexible work, may also provide opportunities for those planning that is built on existing practical expe- displaced by the ban to create income through rience of the informal sector (Ezeah, Fazakerley, the restoration and reselling of otherwise and Roberts 2013; Samson 2020), and ongoing discarded products (Chintan 2021). Chintan, local consultation and action with key stakehold- along with other waste picker advocacy ers (Aidis and Khaled 2019; Circle Economy 2020; groups, recommends expanding and enforcing Dias 2011a; Samson 2020; SWMRT 2019). Waste EPR programs to deal with low-value plastic. pickers need support to organize, be provided Replacing low-value materials with high-value with contracts for service provision as essential ones can strengthen the informal waste sector’s service providers, and be provided with social capacity to handle materials such as MLP and and labor protections regardless of their formal generate livelihood opportunities in the context status. NGOs, unions, and social movements are of a plastic ban (Anantakrishnan 2021). As India critically important to positive formalization— turns plastic free, it is crucial to include waste especially in mobilizing and advocating social pickers as key stakeholders in the planning and and labor projections (Ghosh 2021). Likewise, the promotion of sustainable waste management private sector and governments play an essen- and the fight against plastic waste pollution. tial role in paving the way toward safeguarding livelihoods and mitigating the global threat of marine plastic pollution. Art_Photo / Shutterstock.com 38 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s 39 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s 4. Plastics Waste Management Plastics Waste Management Figure 3: Summarized role of stakeholders in inclusive materials managementa Policy implementation & enforcement Provision of infrastructure Promote recycling and & equipment recycled content of products Defining the roles of Legal recognition of informal and packaging, not chemical employment, and data Financing for SWM recycling collection with gender and labor disaggregation Traceability of supply chains Investment in waste picker organization stakeholders Provision of access to land, public Mandate procurement of recycled space, and wast resources plastics & plastics alternatives Reduce tariffs and taxes on recycling Social & environmental safeguards & industry and equipment imports grievance mechanisms Mapping of materials Inclusive multistakeholder Develop user-friendly Private sector (companies, including PROs, inversors management systems planning fora technologies and tools & actors oriented towards low income Provide social & labor protections and non-literate individuals Policy development Gender training & targets for women in leadership Destigmatization & Government education initiatives that Ensure safe and sanitary conditions target all genders Inclusive waste management systems are impossible to achieve Research & documentation Collect gender-disaggregated data without the buy-in and collaboration of multiple stakeholders, Hire people with experience in marginalized communities Training & engagement of especially waste picker organizations and other civil society groups, informal workers and S support Monitoring, evaluation and transparency governments, and the private sector (Figure 3). Increasingly, all these for organizing advocacy Fund and implement pilot projects sectors are involved in waste management, with particular as well as Integration of informal Design systems based on existing actors workers into disaster risk overlapping roles to play. The boundary between civil society, the public management plans Worker registration, ID Issuance, and private sectors, and waste picker organizations may not always and enrollment of workers in social protection schemes be well defined. Around the world, waste pickers are being contracted Provide contracts with simplified terms and sometimes also organized by governments, private companies, Provision of unrestricted, flexible capital civil society organizations, and their own organizations, cooperatives, support, credit, green bonds private businesses, and unions. This section investigates the role that Strengthen research, communications and key stakeholders play in strengthening the resources and organizational organizing networks development of women waste pickers, to better ensure their long-term Develop and promote products that are reusable, repairable and recyclable integration into formal systems.10 Direct organizing of informal waste workers Civil society (NGOs; global institutions; waste picker organizations, 10. Researchers and their institutions play an important cross-cutting role in advancing understanding of inclusive including social enterprises and unions) waste management, identifying best practices, and building evidence for waste picker and women’s inclusion; this group is included within each of the stakeholder categories presented here. Note: PRO = ; SWM = Solid waste management. a. See the recommendations chapter for more details. 40 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 41 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Role of waste picker Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) and KKPKP waste picker union have helped protect organizations and civil society women waste pickers from exploitative interme- diaries by providing them with their own facilities for the storage, sale, and even purchase of materi- in promoting gender-inclusive als (Scheinberg, Muller, and Tasheva 1999). Many waste picker organizations also facilitate self-help waste management savings groups or provide no- or low-interest loan options. Nepal’s SASAJA waste picker cooperative, for example, was formed to facilitate savings and cooperation among women waste pickers, helping more than 800 waste pickers receive loans, form Waste picker organizations such as cooperatives, of organizing as well as to better understand why savings groups, and receive training on credit and membership-based organizations, nonprof- certain organizations have maintained strong fe- saving. More research is needed to understand the its, mutual aid networks, foundations, trusts, male participation and leadership. localized barriers to women’s advancement and unions, and social enterprises are mobilizing how organizations respond to them. excluded workers around the world, often with Those organizations that pursue transforma- Michal Knitl / Shutterstock.com a strong focus on gender inclusion and with sup- tional change in the waste system to establish Waste picker organizations can help establish and port from community organizations and public structural and long-term modalities for inte- improve upon employment-generating, low-bar- and private sectors. Waste picker organizations gration, through approaches that are worker better and safer working conditions, access to ben- rier, and technologically appropriate waste man- are commonly conceived as part of the social sol- driven, are particularly effective at supporting efits such as insurance and credit, childcare, equi- agement models that are built on existing informal idarity economy, a concept that is of growing in- women and other vulnerable workers over the table pay, and freedom from harassment (Dias and systems. Waste picker involvement in waste man- terest for institutions such as the ILO as a way of long term. Integration approaches that are short Fernandez 2013; Dias and Ogando 2015), and the agement increases job generation (GAIA 2021a) conceptualizing economic and social consider- term or small in scope or neglect to include the ability to support girl children with upwardly mo- and the models that waste pickers develop to im- ations together within the economy. most vulnerable are not transformational. Na- bilizing benefits (Chikarmane and Narayan 2005). prove waste management in cities tend to have a tional, regional, and global networks of activists In 2008, a group of women waste pickers in Ban- lighter carbon footprint (Chikarmane 2012; King Civil society organizations around the world and informal waste workers help build solidar- gladesh began organizing with support from a lo- and Gutberlet 2013; WIEGO and Global Alliance of have enabled the development and strengthen- ity to collectively conceptualize and push for cal organization Grambangla Unnayan Committee Waste Pickers 2019) and be more affordable (GAIA ing of waste picker organizations through in- transformational change in the waste sector’s and in 2015 established Bangladesh’s Waste Picker 2021b) than private waste management. They also cubation, funding, capacity development, and evolving landscape. Global organizations such Union of more than 500 members, who continue tend to be more accommodating of workers with support in destigmatization campaigns. For ex- as WIEGO and the Global Alliance of Waste pick- to be led by women.11 greater barriers to formal employment, including ample, the NGO Practical Action helped establish ers help strengthen the capacity of waste pick- women. Waste picker organizations and other com- the now independent waste picker organization ers and their organizations to negotiate for their Waste picker organizations support workers to munity-led waste collection initiatives in Asia and Samyukta Safai Jagaran (SASAJA) in Nepal. Simi- own integration into formal waste management. advocate for their rights to better working con- throughout the world have successfully maintained larly, WIEGO, through its project Reducing Waste In South Asia, the Alliance of Indian Waste Pick- ditions, which often also translates to standing the participation of women and others in need of in Coastal Cities through Inclusive Recycling, is ers supports capacity building and networking at up for their rights at home. Organizations help low-barrier work by combining decentralized push- supporting the capacity of waste picker organiza- a national level, with growing links to other waste workers counter occupational hazards such as po- cart-based collection with truck-based collection, tions to integrate into formal waste management picker organizations in the region. lice aggression, through registration, issuance of for example. These organizations need to be strate- in ways that maximize marine waste prevention. ID cards, destigmatization efforts, negotiation for gically consulted to understand how the introduc- The important role of membership-based orga- Waste picker and other informal workers’ orga- contracts and infrastructure, and advocacy for social tion of technology might affect the role of women nizations and social movements to ensure that nizations have been more effective at mobilizing and labor protections. They also help protect them in the waste sector and what can be done to keep formalization efforts are rooted in the needs and and supporting women than traditional twenti- from exploitation from lenders and buyers. India’s work low-barrier. demands of informal workers, especially wom- eth century labor movements (Agarwala 2018). en, cannot be underemphasized (Cardoso 2021; Women working in these organizations are more Dias 2016; Ghosh 2021). More research is needed likely to have access to leadership opportunities, 11. https://globalrec.org/organization/bangladesh-waste-pickers-union-formerly-named-as-associa- to explore and document their impact and ways equipment and protective gear (Lobo et al. 2016), tion-of-waste-pickers-of-bangladesh/ 42 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 43 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Waste picker organizations ties. Waste picker organizations, especially those led by women, are important to the transition BOX 3: SWaCH’s decentralized waste collection system run by play an essential role in away from child labor in the sector by improving women waste pickers training women, especially income, establishing shared agreements about is- in participatory ways that sues such as child labor, and sometimes also pro- Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP) producer responsibility’-based partnership to viding scholarships for children to attend school. was established in 1993, bringing together Pune’s reclaim and recycle MLP. About 1,000 waste do not require literacy skills. Many organizations, such as Bangladesh’s Gram waste pickers and itinerant waste buyers from the pickers have engaged actively in this initiative, Common training needs include Bangla Unnayan Committee, India’s SEWA, and informal waste collection system, with current retrieving over 1,000 metric tons of MLP, leadership and organization cooperatives within FACCyR, have on-site day- membership of 8,000 waste picker members. increasing their average monthly income by care facilities for workers. Organizations such as Led by some of the poorest dalit women of Pune, INR 600. Similar initiatives are in place for other building, collective bargaining India’s Hasiru Dala and Stree Mukti Sanghatana KKPKP successfully argued that the work of difficult-to-manage wastes such as sanitary (Agarwala 2020), communications, provide family and domestic violence counseling materials recovery and handling by waste pickers waste (feminine hygiene products and diapers) services for their members. Organizations such as is environmentally sustainable, is economically and Thermocole/Styrofoam creating an entire democratic processes (Muller and Nepal’s SASAJA waste picker cooperative provide productive, and saves municipalities millions of new post-consumer waste management stream Scheinberg 2003; Masood and training, school kits, uniforms, and health care rupees in solid waste management. from collection to recycling in partnership with Barlow 2013), gender, health and for the children of waste pickers. manufacturers of such materials. The cooperative KKPKP’s systematic engagement with the also runs a thrift store promoting upcycling and safety, political organizing (Dias and Waste picker organizations are important for in- Pune Municipal Corporation over two decades reuse, reaching over 75,000 citizens annually, Ogando 2015), waste management, forming and implementing social and economic culminated in the joint creation of the SWaCH channeling over 300 metric tons of materials policy and legal compliance (GTZ policies that support inclusion (Circle Economy Pune Seva Cooperative Society in 2007, India’s toward reuse. SWaCH Plus pushes the frontiers; 2020). Waste picker organizations in countries flagship waste picker owned cooperative, its women leaders challenge the city, waste 2011), research, environmental such as India are key to advocating for and enroll- structured as a pro-poor public-private producers, and the government to accept them identity, and plastic waste ing workers in social protection schemes (Agar- partnership with the municipal system. It has in their newer avatars as drivers, managers, scrap and marine waste prevention wala 2020; Ghosh 2021). enabled waste pickers to demand and occupy traders, recyclers, re-processors, and more. a seat at the table in determining and playing livelihoods opportunities. a key role in implementing the city’s waste management policies. This has generated Organizations also work to build the capacity of sustainable livelihoods for 3,650 waste pickers workers in the use technology. NGOs, govern- of SWaCH, who collect sorted waste from over ments, researchers, and the private sector also 900,000 households in the city every day. The need capacity building to help the informal waste decentralized nonmotorized doorstep waste sector self-organize (GTZ 2011; Ocean Conservan- collection model facilitates waste recycling of cy 2019), and experienced waste picker organiza- 80,000 metric tons, saving the city more than tions can often provide this type of training. US$15 million annually. Waste picker organizations help reduce child The waste pickers of SWaCH have since pushed labor and respond to domestic violence. The boundaries beyond doorstep collection of KKPKP waste picker union, in Pune, India, for ex- waste. Several waste pickers now provide value- ample, began organizing women waste pickers as added services such as in situ management of a strategy to eliminate child labor, by fighting for organic waste (compost, biodigesters). In 2019, SWaCH worker Mangalbai Gaikwad uses her pushcart to women’s access to improved income and work- the cooperative partnered with one of India’s promote SWaCH’s Red Dot Campaign to improve the way ing conditions (Chikarmane and Narayan 2005). households dispose of sanitary waste. largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) Similarly, the Bangladesh Waste Picker Union has conglomerates, ITC Limited, in an ‘extended Photo credit: Brodie Cass Talbott. been heavily supported by the civil society orga- nization Grambangla Unnayan Committee, which angela Meier / Shutterstock.com provides childcare and child education opportuni- 44 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 45 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Role of the private sector in inclusive waste management During the COVID-19 pandemic, informal workers organizations provided critical relief and protection The private sector is increasingly recognizing Increasing gender inclusion when engaging with for informal workers around its opportunity to improve performance and the informal waste sector generates performance the world, including in South profit—as well as social impact—by respon- gains for companies by harnessing the skills and sibly integrating gender inclusion into cor- expertise that female waste pickers have already Asia, by facilitating the access porate ethos and practice, across the plastics acquired. Collecting and sorting requires familiar- to government support and waste management workforce, supply chains, ity with different types of plastics and their value providing emergency food partnerships, and relationships with commu- and fine motor skills. Contracting or subcontract- nities and customers. The notion of responsible ing with women who have had to develop the relief (Alfers, Ismail, and gender inclusion in this context requires that the ability to sort quickly and efficiently helps com- Valdivia 2020; WIEGO 2020b). imperative for a commercial upside be combined panies ensure high-quality feedstock (Krishnan NITINAI THABTHONG / Shutterstock.com with respect for the rights of key stakeholders of and Backer 2019). Investing in training, personal all genders—particularly those working in the protective equipment (PPE), safe equipment, and informal sector. It is important to note that pri- fair wages and labor and social protections for all Waste picker organizations usually aim to sup- vention, though their livelihoods depend on ma- vate sector leadership must implement opera- workers encourages retention and helps support port the most vulnerable, often including ad- terial recovery. Promoting the identity of waste tional transformation at the corporate and policy smooth company operations. Engaging with estab- vocacy for independent workers who are not pickers as environmental workers has been an levels. While many companies along the plastics lished organizations, associations, cooperatives, affiliated with organizations. For example, FAC- important strategy for validating waste picker value chain partner with local community or- or start-ups to broker the integration of informal CyR is fighting the locking of public trash cans, integration. In the South Asia Region, in partic- ganizations, sponsor innovative initiatives, and waste workers can create more opportunities for largely for the benefit of independent workers ular, many of the more visible waste picker orga- publicly express their support for gender equal- local value creation and reduce the logistical bur- who are not affiliated with the federation (Grimal- nizations have worked in close collaboration with ity and waste pickers, some of these same com- den of managing supply chain complexity while di 2019), since federated workers can access ma- zero waste movements, promoted by local and panies have been found to simultaneously lobby retaining the benefits. Women working as part of terials at the household level through government international environmental groups which have against efforts for increased waste picker and organizations and associations also tend to bene- contracts. At the outset of the COVID-19 pandem- built relationships with waste pickers by advo- environmental protections. Not only does this fit from more secure and better-waged employ- ic, Colombia’s National Recyclers’ Association cating for inclusive, labor-intensive, locally ap- make companies less competitive against their ment—which can help companies create a more (Asociacion Nacional de Recicladores, ANR) enabled propriate, and decentralized waste management increasingly socially responsible rivals, but it socially responsible supply chain. elderly and other highly vulnerable workers to re- systems as key to waste prevention. Organiza- also poses great reputational risk, during an age main at home (Parra 2020). In many places, waste tions such as WIEGO, Global Alliance for Incin- in which consumers are more discerning, grass- In some places, private sector actors help iden- picker cooperatives buy scrap from unaffiliated erator Alternatives (GAIA), and Break Free from roots efforts are coordinated across countries tify and fill gaps in waste management by in- workers, ensuring fair prices. Plastic work closely with waste picker organiza- and regions, and social media connects us all. vesting in experimentation in inclusive waste tions around the world to advocate for inclusive management through the piloting of waste pick- Waste picker organizations are key to improv- waste management as essential to environmental Private sector companies work at various points er integration proposals (Masood and Barlow ing the perception of informal waste pick- waste management. Waste picker participation in along the plastics value chain, in production, 2013; Samson 2020) for women-led projects, ers, through destigmatization efforts that environmentalism is also motivated by environ- manufacturing, collecting, sorting, recycling, which helps workers envision and test out new or build their identity, as essential environmen- mental justice issues because they generally live and disposal. This section addresses these com- different ways of working. Private sector-fund- tal workers promoting health and sanitation. in low-income communities and are dispropor- panies as a whole as well as the occasional inves- ed pilot projects for inclusive waste management Contrary to conventional waste haulers, waste tionately affected by mismanaged waste, includ- tor (see Annex 1 for additional case studies and systems can be found in countries such as India, picker organizations often promote waste pre- ing polluting technology such as incineration. entry points for the private sector). Nepal, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States. 46 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 47 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management In the United States and South Africa, producer in jurisdictions where stricter standards have consortia contract waste picker organizations been introduced on materials management and for the provision of services and materials from elimination of single use plastics) benefit from the beverage industry. In Brazil, the private proper processing of waste at the household level. BOX 4: Partnering with the private sector to improve labor sector has long sponsored waste picker coop- Waste collection costs typically account for 60– conditions in Nepal’s plastic supply chains eratives, including through the country’s re - 70 percent of a waste management budget (Kaza verse logistics EPR system. In India, companies et al. 2018); sorting waste more properly before sponsor special projects and voluntary EPR im- arrival will increase the efficiency and cost-ef- In 2019, Nepali community-based organization of the challenges that women face in the sector plemented by waste picker groups. Voluntary fectiveness of waste management. In some coun- Creasion, with support from the private sector, and building trust and influence in the system EPR efforts, led by private companies (‘pro - tries, studies have shown that women are more initiated the Recycler Saathi program to improve to better advocate improvements in labor ducers’), are yielding more stable plastic scrap inclined to recycle, more interested in learning Nepal’s PET plastic recycling supply chains while standards. Creasion provides networking and markets in some places, even generating mar- what becomes of waste after it is thrown away, also improving the welfare of waste workers, labor and occupational safety training to other kets for materials that previously lacked them, and more socialized toward sustainability and especially women. The partnership enables supply chain stakeholders to raise the overall and are generating income and increased legit- proper disposal practices (Krishnan and Backer Creasion to operate its own PET sorting and labor standards of the industry. The initiative imacy for waste pickers and their organizations 2019). Women also influence 70–80 percent of all baling facility, generating decent livelihoods also educates the broader population, through when they are integrated. In South Africa, vol- consumer purchasing decisions globally (Bren- for women and men in the informal economy. school outreach initiatives, and other events untary EPR efforts working with waste pickers nan 2015). However, carrying out these responsi- Workers are provided with health and accident such as their annual International Women’s Day have created local end use markets for materials bilities can often exacerbate the gendered burden insurance, minimum wage standards, psycho- event celebrating the contributions of women and provided resilience to China’s ban on scrap of unpaid work. Therefore, awareness campaigns social checkups and support, regular health in waste. In 2021, Creasion mapped waste picker imports (DEFF and DSI 2020). These types of and product marketing campaigns should stra- checkups, occupational health and safety organizations in Nepal, the results from which programs should increasingly aim to help close tegically target all genders, to facilitate behavior training, and labor standards in compliance have enabled them to introduce Nepali waste waste collection gaps in low-income commu - change in household waste management as well with local labor laws. Creasion purchases picker organizations to the regional and global nities. These initiatives should also be designed as educate people on how product life cycles can bailed PET from other stakeholders in the networking processes of the Global Alliance of in collaboration with both waste pickers and improve the effectiveness of plastics waste man- industry, giving them a deeper understanding Waste Pickers. government, to improve transparency, keep agement at the source (Scheinberg, Muller, and entry barriers low, and ensure fair remuner - Tasheva 1999). ation and protection of workers. Because pri - vate sector-led voluntary initiatives tend to be small in scope and lacking in transparency, they By making supply chains more should move toward mandatory (policy-driven) gender inclusive, companies can models that can be upscaled (in both materi - als managed and number of workers integrat- not only leverage their influence ed) and effectively enforced and monitored by to improve conditions for women government and society at large. and informal workers, but they also Companies can benefit from engaging with stand to improve performance, consumers before plastic is even disposed of, reduce potential for disruptions by harnessing gender insights to better target and conflict, and lower reputational consumers and increase recycling rates. Man- ufacturers, recycling companies, and retailers of risks from gender-specific plastic products (particularly those that operate vulnerabilities in the supply chain. 48 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 49 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management tifying early-stage female-owned businesses private companies have seen the business op- ly to improve rather than abandon problematic to support with networking, capacity building, portunities in becoming investors and partners supply chains. and financing can offer investors new oppor- in the country’s national cooperative move - tunities to expand their portfolio of high-per- ment. Investments can also make commercial Understanding their plastic supply chain in de- forming companies. Gender Lens Investing, “a sense to waste management companies further tail down to the sourcing level, and the chal- strategy or approach to investing that takes into along the supply chain, particularly if the com- lenges faced by women sourcing their plastics, consideration gender-based factors across the pany in question is striving for best practice enables companies to begin to develop a rela- investment process to advance gender equal - social performance—for example, through in- tionship with the women and communities in ity and better inform investment decisions,”12 vesting in fair trade scrap shops which aggre- which they are working, to eliminate any con- has undergone immense growth in the last de- gate and bundle plastics at larger volumes while ditions of exploitation of women, children, and cade. Some examples of recent gender lens in- employing local people (Anantakrishnan 2021). workers and find solutions. To gain the trust and vestments and financial instruments in the In addition to boosting social performance, in- cooperation of the communities in which they op- plastics sector include Circulate Capital Ocean vestment by companies or private capital outfits erate and prevent supply disruptions or conflict Fund’s 2020 loan to women-owned and man- into the informal waste sector supply chain can plastics waste management companies can ben- aged recycling entity Tridi Oasis Group; Althe- also help create continuity, resilience, and sta- efit from finding ways to incorporate both male lia Sustainable Ocean Fund’s 2020 investment bility in the waste system in the face of market and female waste pickers and collectives from the lovelyday12 / Shutterstock.com of US$2 million in Plastics for Change, which disruptions or shifts in political power (Circle informal system into their supply chains. But this works with informal waste collectors; and the Economy 2020). must be done in ways that improve work rather listing of Women’s Livelihood Bonds in the SGX than simply exploiting informal labor. in Singapore in both 2017 and 2020.13 By making supply chains more gender inclu- The private sector can help scale investments sive, companies can not only leverage their in entrepreneurship and start-ups by focus- Around the world, companies are increasing- influence to improve conditions for women Data across industries and ing on gender inclusion in plastics waste man- ly providing equipment, training support, and and informal workers, but they also stand to agement as well as identifying and nurturing infrastructure to support capacity building improve performance, reduce potential for countries prove that when female-led enterprises. Plastics waste man - and financing for waste picker groups. Such disruptions and conflict, and lower reputa- workforces are gender diverse at agement is a global challenge and requires sig- initiatives began as a form of corporate social tional risks from gender-specific vulnera- all levels, company performance nificant innovation with the development of responsibility but are now becoming main - bilities in the supply chain. While the private more comprehensive systems, human inge - streamed into voluntary or mandatory EPR sector’s approach to supply chain due diligence improves. Companies and nuity, and a range of business models to help schemes—helping to give structure and add val- has traditionally been one of risk management, municipalities stand to benefit tackle the problem. Many women-led business- ue to private sector compliance standards. Pri- in recent years it has learned of the competi - from closing gender gaps between es in emerging markets—particularly those in vate investors, particularly those with a social tiveness and marketability that positive social male-dominated sectors such as waste manage- impact lens, are also beginning to finance orga- impact can bring and that it is in its best inter- existing employees through ment—struggle to access capital, networks, and nized waste picker-led initiatives—recogniz - est to get ahead of the curve and pursue a tri- investing in training, policies, publicity at the same rates as their male coun- terparts. Global data from entrepreneurship ing their potential to develop into full-fledged, profitable formal ventures. For example, Social ple bottom line. Despite the adoption of codes of conduct, certifications, independent audits and other measures as well as surveys show that women are more likely than Alpha, a social impact incubator (Bateman and and involvement with multistakeholder initia- through targeted efforts to recruit men to found businesses with social and envi- Bonanni 2019), helped Indian waste picker or- tives that include civil society organizations, more women—especially in ronmental goals or to aim for a ‘triple bottom ganization Hasiru Dala establish a private com- improvements to labor conditions have been line’ (Hechavarria et al. 2012). Given the urgency pany and scale its work, after it had struggled to limited (Madhav and von Broembsen 2021). areas where they are currently of the plastics waste management crisis, iden- gain traction as a nonprofit. Similarly, in Brazil, However, simply shifting supply chains risks underrepresented. Prioritizing further disadvantaging existing workers. Com- diversity leads to a wider talent panies should commit not only to traceability but also to transparency and direct engagement pool, increased variety of ideas, and 12. https://thegiin.org/gender-lens-investing-initiative with informal workers, making them more like- more innovation and productivity. 13. https://oceanconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Ocean-Conservancy-White-Pa- per-Full_20210426.pdf 50 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 51 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Role of government and Striving for gender equality in company work- relative opportunity at US$770 billion (an 18 per- forces and in those of their suppliers increases cent increase) (Woetzel et al. 2018). policy in inclusive waste equality of opportunity, strengthens the talent pool, and improves company performance and Companies can also incentivize their suppliers to resilience. Data across industries and countries hire frontline collectors as formal employees and prove that when workforces are gender diverse at all levels, company performance improves (Tur- ban, Wu, and Zhang 2019). Companies and mu- require that they be granted freedom of associa- tion, collective bargaining powers, and basic so- cial protections. Beyond the basics of fair pay and management nicipalities stand to benefit from closing gender working hours, health and safety training, ade- gaps between existing employees through invest- quate PPE, health care, and other insurance cover- ing in training, policies, and other measures as age, companies can implement holistic programs to well as through targeted efforts to recruit more educate staff about finance, assist staff in opening women—especially in areas where they are cur- bank accounts, set up childcare options, and facili- Government has an important role to play in Policy efforts such as the introduction of EPR pol- rently underrepresented. Prioritizing diversi- tate school access. Workers should also be engaged setting and enforcing policies to protect wom- icies, if oriented for integration, could incentiv- ty leads to a wider talent pool, increased variety to participate in the design of systems and griev- en and waste workers. The combination of ize the inclusion of informal workers and women of ideas, and more innovation and productivity. ance mechanisms. Moreover, these actions can en- public policies mandating source segregation in formal waste management and can gener- Company experience and extensive research also hance a company’s reputation with customers and and single-use plastic regulation has incen- ate low-barrier environmental jobs (Rutkowski find that gender diversity in the workforce leads stakeholders while strengthening its social license tivized formal opportunities for women waste 2020). EPR has tended to focus on economic (Ste- to improved accident rates and health and safety, to operate with the local community (especially pickers, especially when planned together with phenson and Faucher 2018) and environmental as female employees have a greater tendency to waste pickers)—thus minimizing the likelihood of them. These policies have helped create and im- aspects of materials management but not on so- comply with safety protocols and care for equip- operational disruption. Given that reuse and repair prove markets for the provision of services such cial aspects (Woggsborg and Schroder 2018), and ment (IFC 2013b). This does not mean that either are more environmentally sound and generate more as zero waste event management, composting, few good examples of EPR attempting inclusion female or male employees are more ideal than jobs than recycling or disposal, companies can also waste collection and processing, and reusable exist around the world. When the informal waste the other, but, rather, that they bring different develop systems to repair and reuse their products goods provision (see Annex 2 for a more com- sector is not taken into account in the design of skills and attributes to the table. In India, Indo- that can employ front line workers. prehensive overview of the relevant policies in EPR modalities, it can hinder the achievement of nesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, for example, the region). India’s Solid Waste Management its objectives (Gupt and Sahay 2015; OECD 2016; women in the plastics waste management sector Rules of 2016 mandates that waste be collected Scheinberg et al. 2016) and undermine waste picker are preferred for skilled and time-intensive tasks, from the household level in a segregated man- livelihoods. As the waste and recycling industries such as picking and sorting, that require fine mo- ner—wet waste, dry waste, and hazardous waste. have grown more consolidated around the world, tor skills (Sumangali and Backer 2021). Spending Because the policy also directs local government EPR systems may enable greater financial efficien- the time and money up front to prevent sexual ha- to include waste pickers in the implementation cy and profit but without clear rules for effective rassment and GBV in the workforce also reduces of waste management, the policy’s source seg- and equitable cooperation within the sector (OECD business costs—sexual harassment is estimated regation mandate obliges the government to 2016). If implemented, EPR should be used as a to cost a typical Fortune 500 company US$14 mil- support waste pickers in the collection of seg- mechanism for funding government to facilitate lion per year (Parramore 2018). Gender equality regated waste. All South Asian countries have the fairly remunerated collection and processing in the workforce not only benefits companies, it implemented some degree of regulation on sin- of household waste, recyclables, and litter so that also boosts prosperity for families, communi- gle-use plastics, with mixed results in terms of all communities have adequate sanitation. Govern- ties, and countries. A McKinsey study estimated compliance and enforcement to date. In cases ment can advance inclusive EPR by engaging waste that advancements in women’s equality through where source segregation has been implemented picker organizations in the design of EPR and by improvements in their labor force participation, without the participation or integration of exist- mandating integration plans in EPR. Inclusion in numbers of hours of paid work, and participation ing informal waste pickers, policies or initiatives EPR can also benefit from financial and material in productive sectors could add US$4.5 trillion mandating source segregation can undermine transparency, regular inclusive review processes, to the collective annual gross domestic product waste picker access to materials and ultimate- mandatory integration of informal workers and (GDP) of Asia Pacific countries in 2025 (a 12 per- ly displace informal livelihoods (Samson 2020). women, strong government involvement, and cent increase over the predicted trajectory). The Government plays a central role in determining multistakeholder processes to strategize and re- Marianoblanco / Shutterstock.com study also found that India presents the largest the approach with these types of policies. alize opportunities for vulnerable players. 52 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 53 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Such policies also allocate in waste management and prevention industries funding for training of waste (Samson 2020). Governments also support infor- mal workers’ organizations through excise, taxa- picker organizations. These tion, low-interest loans, and access to simplified policy provisions have paved the contractual terms (GTZ 2011). way for sustained partnerships Governments can support the formal integration between government and waste of women and informal workers by contracting picker organizations in waste waste picker organizations and paying them for service provision. Such systems exist to vary- management (Dias 2016) and have ing degrees in countries such as India, Argentina, also incentivized small enterprises Colombia, Brazil, and the United States. Govern- to hire waste pickers. ments can also ensure that waste management is provided equitably, including in low-income com- munities that may not be able to afford collection South Africa’s 2011 National Waste Manage - services. Waste pickers are ideal providers of such ment Strategy commits the Department of En- services since they live in low-income communi- vironment, Forestry, and Fisheries to “provide ties and understand the local challenges and needs. guidance to municipalities and industry on measures to improve the working conditions of Governments are key to supporting mecha- waste-pickers,” which resulted in an extensive nisms to strengthen recycling markets and in- participatory process between academia, gov- centivize waste prevention, which safeguards the ernment, and waste pickers to develop guide- livelihoods of organized and unaffiliated waste lines for waste picker integration (DEFF and DSI pickers. This includes mandating price stabili- 2020). Legal priority for the contracting of waste ty mechanisms for waste materials (Muller and pickers and their organizations needs govern- Scheinberg 2003; Rudin, Van den Berg, and Abar- ment to support with adherence and enforce - ca 2014), especially for low-value plastic materi- Policies that legalize waste picking and ment (SWMRT 2019). als (Ocean Conservancy 2019), reducing tariffs and include priority for the contracting of taxation on recycling businesses and the import of waste pickers in waste management have Through sustained investment and policy man- recycling equipment, promoting domestic recy- helped establish some of the most inclusive dates, including regulatory frameworks, gov- cling through policy and investment, facilitating ernments can ensure that waste systems are credit and investment opportunities for small re- waste management systems in the world. labor-intensive, built on existing systems, and, cycling and waste prevention businesses, and en- Countries such as India and Brazil (Dias most importantly, inclusive of the informal waste suring mechanisms for financing complete waste 2011b) have policies that include prioritizing sector. Governments are also critical to ensuring collection and processing (especially for plastics that restrictions to public access to waste, such as and hazardous waste) and/or minimum recycled waste pickers in the contracting of waste dumpsite closure and source segregation initiatives, content mandates (GA Circular 2020). management services. are implemented in collaboration with waste pickers and they safeguard the livelihoods of women and Governments play a key role in establishing other vulnerable workers. Some governments have mechanisms for financial and material transpar- helped model best practices in inclusive waste man- ency and enforcement of policy. Transparency and agement, which include investment in decentral- accountability measures to combat corruption and ized, locally appropriate waste collection, sorting, facilitate open access to information are critical to processing and storage infrastructure, with res- ensuring that less powerful actors in the waste sys- ervations for usage of public land (GTZ 2011), and tem, such as women, are included and can advocate unrestricted, flexible capital support (SEWA 2020) the enforcement of policies that support them. 54 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 55 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Waste systems need to be comprehensively waste policy was not ultimately successful over mapped and understood from material, econom- the long run (Scheinberg et al. 2016). Brazil’s ic, and social perspectives so that they can be ad- Waste and Citizenship Forum (Dias 2011a), by justed over time and safeguard the livelihoods of contrast, which has been in place since the 1990s, BOX 5: Public policy supports formal opportunities for women certain actors. has been key to the establishment and ongoing waste pickers in Bengaluru, India refinement of some of the world’s most successful Governments and other actors that support and inclusive waste management systems. Solid Waste participate in ongoing multistakeholder forums Management Round Tables throughout India have India’s Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016, been providing event waste management to foster inclusive waste management can facil- also been helpful in bringing different stakehold- which mandate the segregated collection of services in which waste pickers are engaged itate the participation of women and informal ers together to collaborate around inclusive waste waste, as well as more recent bans on single- to provide housekeeping and event waste waste pickers in planning processes. Waste pick- management and provide recommendations to use plastics, have played a critical role in management, ensuring that waste generat- ers need to be recognized as equal stakeholders in government (SWMRT 2019). Multistakeholder fo- establishing stable demand for zero waste ed is sent for recycling or composting, leaving planning processes for systems to be developed rums can be ineffectual when they are rushed, are event services. Since the implementation of minimal to zero waste to landfill. that effectively integrate their skill and expertise unable to meaningfully include informal workers, waste segregation and plastic ban policies, (DEFF and DSI 2020). or are not committed to collective coproduction of Hasiru Dala Innovations—a for-profit social ideas and strategies. enterprise focused on waste picker and women’s For this, inclusive multistakeholder engagement empowerment in waste management—has in waste system planning is important, especial- Governments play a critical role in empower- seen a 30 percent increase in demand for its ly in places where informal workers are not well ing citizens and facilitating access to resourc- services. This has generated regular income organized and may need structured opportuni- es, capacity, and knowledge. Governments that for waste pickers equivalent to living wages— ties for self-advocacy. Such engagements are institutionalize gender mainstreaming train - ranging from US$7.5 to US$11.6 daily. most effective when they are ongoing. European ing, establish targets for the representation of experience shows, for example, that short-term, women in leadership roles, and provide social Hasiru Dala Innovations, based out of Bengal- project-based engagement to inform inclusive protections that target women can increase and uru, India, generates better livelihood oppor- improve women’s labor force participation in tunities for waste pickers through inclusive the waste sector. Gender-diverse workforces, and environmentally beneficial business including those of government agencies, also models. Through its waste management and lead to a higher likelihood of gender diversity eco-friendly events services, Hasiru Dala In- being prioritized in operations and strategy (see novations aims to divert 90 percent of waste the case study of the West Sussex County Council away from landfills. Its workforce compris- in Annex 1). Toward supporting women in over- es 80 percent women. Since its inception in coming the challenges to formalization, govern- November 2015, Hasiru Dala Innovations has ments play a critical role in redesigning social protection systems to better include the infor- mal sector (World Bank 2020a) and ensuring affordable childcare, free primary care, acces- sible pensions, maternity/paternity leave, equi- table access to non-predatory loans, and so on. Likewise, governments can facilitate training for NGOs, researchers, and waste sector stakehold- ers on gender-disaggregated data collection and analysis to broaden data sets for enhanced deci- sion-making and collaborative action, including tawanroong / Shutterstock.com sustainable and equitable financing. Sellwell / Shutterstock.com 56 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s 57 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s 5. Plastics Waste Management Plastics Waste Management tious about the proliferation of disposable goods and would have done a better job of preserving reuse and Early-stage goals should include piloting and estab- repair livelihoods. Amid growing investment in re- lishing waste collection and management initiatives cycling and waste collection, for example, we must that fill immediate gaps in waste systems while also not let existing reuse and repair livelihoods fall away. Recommendations supporting collective organizing and coalition build- Furthermore, waste pickers who are dependent on ing. For example, expanding litter and household disposable materials that will ultimately begin to waste collection services to all residents, including dwindle as our economies dematerialize can eventu- those in informal settlements, can immediately im- ally transition into reuse and repair-oriented work. for gender-inclusive prove health and environmental outcomes and can generate relatively low-barrier jobs and opportuni- ties for waste pickers and women to organize around waste management the provision of services. Such opportunities can also be starting points from which organizations engage The provision of universal social protections, and in other formal waste management and prevention related labor protections, can help enable workers work, including disaster response, recycling, reuse, navigate systemic transitions. In this sense, social and repair. Individual workers can be hired by mu- protections can also create a more enabling envi- nicipalities, civil society, or private companies, but ronment for change and experimentation in mate- waste picker organizations are much better equipped rials management systems. The private sector has Getting started to provide long-term support to workers and should be encouraged and supported wherever possible. If historically and presently relied on the external- ization of environmental, labor, and social protec- policies and taxation systems are not in place yet to tion costs to maintain a material culture rooted in finance such efforts, governments and civil society disposability. Governments should thus consider Improving plastics waste management, and waste management should hold the private sector accountable to pro- how the private sector can contribute to the provi- overall, in ways that are socially inclusive demands the preservation and vide financing voluntarily until mandatory financing sion of universal social protections, ideally routed measures are in place. through government systems. improvement of waste prevention livelihoods, including waste picking (recycling), repair, and reuse, with particular emphasis on the most precarious workers. In some places, this means preserving or transforming the livelihoods of thousands of workers, most of whom are not organized. Ensuring access to public space and infrastruc- ture, as well as financing, is also essential for ernment, with support from civil society, should waste pickers and other waste prevention work- also begin to craft public policies that prioritize ers to remain and thrive within materials man- waste pickers for contracts and to promote waste agement systems. The crafting of inclusive waste management prevention efforts such as reuse and repair as well systems requires consistent and meaningful as ensure labor and social protections. Solidifying the role of workers in managing materi- engagement with affected workers through mul- als that should ultimately be minimized, if not erad- tistakeholder platforms and careful mapping and Supporting the organization of workers such as icated, illustrates the importance of a concept such research to identify those workers—efforts that waste pickers is usually a long-term project, while as Just Transition, which must consider livelihoods governments, civil society, and research institu- improvements to waste management are urgently as adaptive to the material management needs at tions should immediately put into practice in their needed. But many of the gaps in waste manage- the time but which are also preparing for a future communities. Civil society and labor organizations ment systems can be quickly filled by relatively material economy that is necessarily less depen- can support the organizing of workers through low-barrier work that can also serve as an oppor- dent on disposability. Had this been a key consider- training and regular meetings, with funding from tunity around which workers learn to provide ser- ation 80 years ago, when plastics began to take the Chanintorn.v / Shutterstock.com the government and the private sector. The gov- vices and work collectively. stage, societies would have been much more cau- 58 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 59 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management These basic recommendations most informal roles in South Asia’s waste sector, a Waste Public Private provide a guide for getting started. gender-inclusive approach to plastics waste man- Recommendation: Ensure safety, health, and sanitation pickers and civil society sector sector agement must include strategies to integrate the The following recommendations informal sector—allowing for the fact that wom- add detail to the ways in which en themselves are a heterogeneous group. Simi- Legislate social protections that are rights based and universal in gender-inclusive and socially larly, integration of informal workers should take scope, including free primary medical care, workers compensation, an intersectional and gender-based approach to and pension or savings schemes. inclusive waste management can reach the most vulnerable. be implemented. Unless the most vulnerable workers are account- Implement waste management policies that include public waste ed for and included, formalization processes risk collection and doorstep segregated waste collection and litter The recommendations provided in this chap - displacing those who cannot match the demands collection for all residences, including in informal settlements. ter are rooted in the experiences of women and of new systems and economies and at the same This can be financed through a combination of mechanisms such waste pickers in South Asia as well as other parts time losing many valuable skills and expertise. as taxation, user fees, and, if designed equitably, EPR. of the world and can serve as a guide for improv- Economies must accommodate the informal ing both waste management and decent work alongside the formal (Chen 2012), with sufficient for informal waste workers and women. These low-barrier but decent work opportunities to Integrate informal workers and their organizations into disaster risk management plans and national COVID-19 recovery plans. recommendations are relevant to all waste pre- meet the needs of those able to work. vention workers, especially women, and those recommendations more likely to be ‘transforma- tional’—that is, leading to structural, substan- Ensure safety, health, Offer employer-sponsored health care and worker compensation to and sanitation all employees—whether contract based or salaried. tive, and long-term change in favor of greater inclusion—are in bold (see Figure 4 for a sum- marized view). Register workers and issue ID cards, with attached social benefits. Improving both social protections and the orga- Support waste picker organizations in registering workers. Intersectional and nization of waste management systems is critical to the health of formal and informal workers as gender-inclusive well as to ensuring safety for women who may face risks while searching for places to find or Implement policies to phase out harmful chemicals used in approach to ensure packaging plastics such as BFRs, BPAs, phthalates, and lead; ban dispose of waste materials or use the bathroom. harmful plastics such as vinyl and polystyrene (Shah 2020); and tax fair participation Thus, measures to reduce pollution and material the import of plastic products and virgin plastic. toxicity and access to social protections such as for the most health care and workers compensation are both essential to health and safety. While the ideal is Ensure that employees are provided with correctly sized and marginalized that a baseline of minimum social protections and safe working conditions be legislated and gender-inclusive industry standard PPE and both employees and subcontractors are properly trained for handling hazardous materials. guaranteed by the state, private companies, gov- Enforce compliance with legal regulations on company premises and Gender is inherently an intersectional issue. It ernments, and organizations also have a duty of monitor subcontractors. extends beyond a male-female duality and exists care to their employees and workers (both full- alongside and in interaction with other identity time salaried and contract based)—whether markers (race, socioeconomic status, sexual ori- or not the state has legally mandated a frame- Provide access to counseling and domestic violence resources. entation, and so on) which together can shape the work for their responsibility. Taking such action advantages or disadvantages a person experienc- makes employers more desirable and competi- es throughout his/her life. Because women fill the tive in their industries. Ensure access to safe restrooms and clean water for washing and drinking. 60 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 61 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Ensure fair remuneration and support Ensure representation of women and waste for unpaid work pickers in research and data Growing women’s labor force participation starts en. Labor protections can help ensure that women Representation in research and data is essential tification of gaps and opportunities in a materials at home, where women need more support from and waste pickers win the rights to such measures for accessing social and labor protections and to management system. Broadly speaking, gen - partners in unpaid home care and community care and can participate in defining what they need. the advocacy and visibility necessary to earn con- der-disaggregated country-level data on occu- duties to dedicate time to paid work. Policies that Finally, waste systems should be regulated to en- tracts and other forms of integration. Thorough pations and employment relationships are critical are gender equal and inclusive of those with re- sure that materials have and can maintain value to research also enables the identification and en- to understanding the ways that policy and invest- sponsibilities for caring for sick, elderly, or child incentivize their recovery and keep both the sys- gagement of key stakeholders as well as the iden- ment affect decent work over time. family members are also key to supporting wom- tem and its workers resilient to market shocks. Waste Recommendation: Ensure representation of women and waste Public Private pickers and pickers in research and data sector sector Waste civil society Recommendation: Ensure fair remuneration and support Public Private pickers and for unpaid work sector sector civil society Holistic mapping of the entire waste value chain (Masood and Barlow 2013; Muller and Scheinberg, 2003; Samson 2020; SWMRT 2019), including gaps, employment realities, opportunity Establish policies, mandates, and funding mechanisms for the distribution, waste pickers and their organizations and allies, and integration of the informal sector (Grambangla Unnayan Committee existing waste prevention livelihoods. ChildHope UK, and Big Lottery Fund 2017a; GTZ 2011; SWMRT 2019) and specifically its female workforce, including the participatory Collect disaggregated gender and labor data through country-level development of integration guidelines and proposals. These should statistics bureaus and labor force surveys. Include informal waste consider the constraints and responsibilities that workers face in work as an occupational category, with distinctions made between balancing a livelihood with unpaid work. own-account workers, dependent contractors, and independent contractors, as well as unpaid work performed for subsistence. Strengthen research, communications, and organizing networks Implement policies that close gaps between workers who have among organizations of workers in the informal economy. unpaid care work and those who do not, including affordable childcare and daycare (especially near dumpsites and in low- Train NGOs, researchers, government, the private sector, and waste income communities), and paid parental leave. Implement gender- sector stakeholders on gender-disaggregated data collection equal pay policies. and analysis, to align with sustainable development aspirations and international best practices for data gathering on labor and employment relationships. Fully fund waste management services—including litter collection— as essential services, such that the labor to perform them is not reliant Assess the impacts of policies, technologies, and other interventions on volunteer labor. on gender inclusion and opportunity distribution in the waste sector. Build robust traceability systems and audit supply chains to understand a system’s actors and their demographics, conditions, Target both men and women in waste management and consumption benefits, and employment relationships. sensitization communications, and encourage men to share the burden of sustainable household waste management and shopping. Programs that report on jobs generated should consider the livelihoods displaced as a result (DEFF and DSI 2020). 62 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 63 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Ensure access to education, Recommendation: Ensure access to education, Waste pickers and Public Private information, and influence information, and influence civil society sector sector Train waste pickers on topics that they identify, with common Marginalized groups—such as women and in- cesses such as multistakeholder forums in the topics including leadership, institution building, digital literacy, formal waste prevention workers—often find waste sector are useful to supporting these ob- data collection, collective bargaining, research and access to their agency undermined by a lack of access jectives. Consultation alone, however, is not information, democratic processes, health, waste management to information and influence. Addressing this enough; marginalized groups need support and policy, legal compliance, financial management, and challenge requires structural and institutional in self-organization, institutional allies, and environmental issues. changes to enable these groups to share pow- training to understand the issues and their po- er in decision-making. Inclusive planning pro- litical implications. Mandate organizational, financial, and material transparency and public access to information (SWMRT 2019). Waste Recommendation: Ensure access to education, Public Private pickers and information, and influence sector sector civil society Establish incentives or targets, with reporting and accountability mechanisms, for gender inclusion (UNEP-IETC and GRID-Arendal 2019), including gender equity in recruitment, retention, and Facilitate inclusive planning processes to define, plan, and enable promotion, as well as representation in leadership in the executive gender and informal sector integration in waste management bodies of waste management associations and departments. policies, practices and research (Aidis and Khaled 2019; Circle Economy 2020; Conlon 2021; Dias 2011a; Samson 2020; Scheinberg et al. 2016;; SWMRT 2019). In contexts where cultural, economic, or logistical constraints make it difficult for women’s voices to Hire inclusion specialists with experience in marginalized waste be heard, women-only consultations may also be important worker communities. (Scheinberg, Muller, and Tasheva 1999). Fund advocacy campaigns and develop communications to destigmatize the work of waste pickers (Masood and Barlow 2013; NGOs, government, researchers, workers organizations, and Samson 2015) and women in the waste sector and promote proper the private sector all need capacitation and resources to and equitable waste management. support informal workers and women to self-organize (GTZ 2011; Ocean Conservancy 2019). This can include promoting environmental identity formation and collective networking through shared advocacy campaigns and capacity-building Develop research results, systems explanations, and training content exchange opportunities. that are visually oriented, inclusive, and simplified in ways to translate well into worker training content. Ensure that workers have labor protections such as the right All stakeholders within the materials management sector should to association and collective bargaining and are engaged in provide gender mainstreaming training for men and women (Dias the coproduction of grievance mechanisms (Madhav and von and Fernandez 2012; Dias and Ogando 2015) (UNEP-IETC and GRID- Broembsen 2021). Arendal 2019) 64 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 65 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Ensure access to capital, land Build from what exists and with and infrastructure appropriate technology Organizations working to incorporate social and la- adopt technology in the sector should not lead to the Waste picker groups, as well as women and oth- simply viewing integration and formalization bor considerations into the circular economy con- preclusion existing workers, including those who are er marginalized entrepreneurs in the sector, need as an increased cost, the waste sector can in- cept increasingly recognize that a Just Transition not affiliated with organizations or who cannot adapt public and private investment in decentralized, crease opportunities to benefit from working in needs to be labor intensive, including a certain de- to new technology. Investing in decentralized, low- sorting, processing, and storage infrastructure. partnership with workers and waste picker or- gree of manual roles in collection, sorting, and pro- er-tech systems that can better accommodate flex- To better enable this, finance providers need to ganizations—particularly through supply chain cessing (Circle Economy 2020). Furthermore, given ibility and adaptability will also better accommodate fund such facilities in a way that ensures that contracting, where evidence suggests that diver- the existing skill base among informal workers and a future with less waste. It is also important to recog- workers in the informal economy benefit from sifying procurement to include smaller suppliers the highly distributed nature of waste, organizations nize that waste prevention efforts such as reuse and new investment in the waste sector. Rather than can be financially more efficient (IFC 2015). recognize that such an approach can also be cost ef- repair generate more jobs than other waste manage- ficient. New infrastructure and technology should ment options such as incineration, disposal, and even match the skill sets of existing actors, and efforts to recycling (GAIA 2021a). Waste Recommendation: Ensure access to capital, land, Public Private pickers and Waste and infrastructure sector sector Recommendation: Build from what exists with Public Private civil society pickers and appropriate technology sector sector civil society Prioritize waste picker organizations and women in contracts for Develop plans for technologically appropriate, decentralized materials man- service provision. agement systems that maximize employment opportunities and integrate what already exists in the informal waste sector (Aidis and Khaled 2019; Beall 2006; Chikarmane 2012; Gutberlet et al. 2016; Madsen 2005; Samson 2020). Flexible funding for experimentation and piloting of waste picker integration (Masood and Barlow 2013; Samson 2020) and women- Public trash and recyclables receptacles should not be locked,14 and there led projects that fill gaps in the waste system and allow for should be public access to the commercialization of materials. Restrictions adaptive management on public access to waste, such as source segregation initiatives or dumpsite closure, should trigger institutional mandates for livelihoods safeguarding/ Just Transition such as reskilling, job placement, and compensation. Reserve the usage of land and infrastructure for waste picker organizations (GTZ 2011). Develop and promote products that are reusable, repairable, and recy- clable (in that order). Provide unrestricted, flexible capital support (SEWA 2020; Samson Implement ‘right-to-repair’ policies and ban single-use packaging through 2020) and support through excise, taxation, low-interest loans, and policy that includes funding to promote local alternatives (Shah 2020; simplified contractual terms (GTZ 2011). UNESCAP 2021. Ensure that discarded materials have value by: Ensure equitable access to credit for waste pickers and their • Mandating price floor mechanisms for waste materials (Muller and Schein- organizations (Muller and Scheinberg 2003; Rudin, Van den Berg, berg 2003; Rudin, Van den Berg, and Abarca 2014), especially for low-value plastic (Ocean Conservancy 2019), and and Abarca 2014). • Mandating minimum recycled content in products (GA Circular 2020) and set- ting recycling and reuse targets (not including chemical recycling). Reduce taxes on recycling businesses, and reduce tariffs on the Develop digital tools that are accessible to different literacy levels (that is, import of recycling equipment and infrastructure. those who may not be literate in reading and writing) Develop green bonds for gender, solid waste management, and plastics reduction. 14. See additional recommendations for reducing hazardous waste, including the phasing out of toxics, the pro- vision of restrooms, and the implementation of segregated waste collection. 66 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 67 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Figure 4: Theory of change for the safeguarding of women in South Asia’s plastic waste management systems Challenges/Issues/ Key priority/transformational recommendations Foundation of gender-inclusive Impacts Constraints waste management Burdened by • Holistic mapping of the entire waste value chain. unpaid work • Collect disaggregated gender and labor data through country level statistics bureaus and Increased representation in research More inclusive waste labor force surveys. • Strengthen research, comunnications and organizing networks among organizations of and data management systems for Vulnerable to workers in the informal economy women and informal workers precarious work More efficient and less Less visible at work • Facilitate inclusive planning processes to define, plan, and enable gender and informal polluting waste management and in data sector integration in waste management policies, practices and research. systems • Strengthen capacity and resources of stakeholders including public, private, and Less access to Increased access to education, community to support informal workers and women to self-organize Healthier people education, economy, • Mandate organizational, financial and material transparency and public access to information information and influence communities and and upward mobility • Establish incetives or targets for gender inclusion. enviroments • Ensure that workers have labor protections like the right to association, and collective bargaining More limited by technology Flow of information and adaptive learning • Legislate rights-based social protections with universal scope. • Implement integrated waste management policies that benefit all, including informal settlements. Strengthened safety and sanitation • Integrate informal workers and their organizations into disaster risk management plans and national COVID-19 recovery plans. • Establish policies, mandates, and funding mechanisms for the integration of the informal Ensured fair remuneration and support sector and women. • Implement pollicies that colse gaps in unpaid and underpaid work. with unpaid work • Prioritize waste pickers and women for contracts. • Provide unrestricted, flexible capital support, and support through excise, taxation, and low- Increased access to capital land and interest loans, prioritizing waste picker organization and women. insfrastructure • Reserve the usage of land for waste picker organizations. • Develop plans for technologically-appropriate, decentralized and labor-intensive materials management systems that integrate what already exists. • Public trash and recyclables receptacles should not be locked and there should be public Build form what exists with access to the commercialization of materials. Restrictions on public access to waste, should appropriate technology trigger institutional mandates for livelihoods safeguarding. • Develop and promote products that are reusable, repairable and recyclable, ban single- used products and promote local alternatives. Tinnakorn jorruang / Shutterstock.com 68 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 69 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 6. private and public sectors are critical to supporting these types of organizations and can further serve to implement the important lessons derived from effective and impactful interventions. The region’s move toward fostering a blue econ- Conclusion omy also proposes a revival of upstream oppor- tunities in waste prevention, reuse, and repair. In South Asia, it is increasingly recognized that waste prevention cuts across various industries and in- cludes a wide array of actors, many of whom are highly skilled in their specific trade. In the preven- tion of marine plastic pollution, for example, fisher- ies communities include skilled artisans who repair and reuse fishing gear like nets that would other- wise end up abandoned, lost, or discarded at sea. This important approach to managing what would otherwise become waste translates across econom- Insight-Photography / Shutterstock.com ic sectors.15 Much of this work, however, remains in the informal economy, embattled by the effects of automation, globalization, negative forms of for- The need for swift action on pollution prevention malization, and a material culture that values new- is also clear, but this immediate need must not ness and disposability. Amid the rush to improve The negative consequences of plastics waste management obscure the critical vulnerabilities facing women recycling and waste collection, these traditional and informal workers in the waste management livelihoods in reuse and repair continue to struggle weigh heaviest on women and informal workers, who are also sector. Inclusive waste management can help solve and lack recognition as waste prevention occupa- disproportionately vulnerable to a rising tide of other disruptions. both issues. Swift or poorly planned action can dis- tions. Just as old materials, reuse, and repair have The future of plastics waste management in South Asia must be gender proportionately affect women and other people who fallen out of fashion, support for occupations that are not included in the solutions. Inclusive waste appear old or antiquated has slipped away. These inclusive, by involving women and informal workers in the development management presents an opportunity to solve mul- realities highlight an opportunity to support waste and actualization of solutions. Informalization is further diminishing tiple challenges at once. It stretches the concepts of prevention by directing opportunity and investment waste reduction to also account for reductions in the toward the documentation, organization, promo- decent work opportunities, while job creation fails to keep pace with wasting of human capital. Experiences in inclusive tion, and integration of informal waste prevention population growth. Automation and excessive reliance on volunteerism waste management show that workers’ organiza- workers, including those involved in reuse and re- are eliminating paid low-barrier work in the waste sector. With climate tions and social movements for women and waste pair livelihoods. Informal waste workers at risk of pickers enable the scaling of inclusion projects and losing livelihoods due to plastic bans and a shift to- change already a reality across South Asia and the world and unabated are key to ensuring that women gain access to social ward material circularity can also be supported to pollution necessitating dramatic corrections in the way we manage and labor protections. As detailed in this report, the move into reuse and repair-oriented livelihoods. materials, coupled with the inevitable rise of technology, economic and environmental disruptions are here to stay. COVID-19, having devastated informal workers, has shined light on gaps in resilience as well as in the 15. Other examples of informal workers in waste prevention industries such as reuse and repair include tailors, ability to protect the poor in the face of crisis and disruption. Stakeholders cobblers, appliance/electronics repairers, reusable or natural goods artisans and service providers such as leaf plate artisans and farmers, basket and textile weavers, tiffin system operators, metalsmiths, and secondhand goods must work together to protect the poor, and women in particular, by vendors. These livelihoods transverse occupational sectors, described as market vending, street vending, home- striving for a more economically and socially inclusive sector. based work, artisanry, farming, or waste picking. 70 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 71 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management BOX 6: Preventing the loss of traditional waste prevention livelihoods in Bhutan The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative (SJI) is a SJI has responded by promoting the use of Bhutanese civil society organization that has traditional zero waste crafts and practices championed zero waste ideas in the country, as well as by recreating some of them in part through the promotion of traditional with recycled materials to spark youth waste prevention practices. interest in the issue. They have established women’s zero waste craft cooperatives in Traditionally, Eastern Bhutanese would carry a which women collect waste materials and handmade ‘gurbu’, or small cup, to receive tea transform them into functional objects such or other drinks served and would accept food on as baskets and bags. SJI also hires women a handwoven ‘tore’, or food cloth. Food may also to provide fresh banana leaves to be folded be packed in a handmade bamboo ‘bangchung’ and used as plates and cups at large events. basket and carried in a handwoven ‘jola’ bag. To upscale this work, SJI established a rural The hand production of these goods provides women’s cooperative that machine presses an important income source, particularly for rural areca nut tree husks into uniform, dry plates communities. Textile weaving is an important and cups that they sell across the country. source of livelihood for women across the SJI runs two craft outlets in Samdrup country. The growing use of single-use plastics Jongkhar town that have established a has undermined not only these livelihoods but stable market for traditional and new zero also appreciation for traditional reuse practices. waste products. A new ‘materialism’ is needed—one that rejects Measures of efficiency need to account for so- other budgets. Blue economy and circular econo- the disposal of materials and values the people cial and environmental benefits, not simply my solutions should be holistic in their ability to who handle them. The materials management economic factors (Harris-White 2020). Inclu- mitigate greenhouse gas emissions; prevent land, sector can innovate by maximizing work that is sive waste management that accommodates low- marine, and other forms of air pollution; improve tech solutions such as pushcarts, as well as reuse sanitation and public health; and generate a Just both low barrier and decent, prioritizing support and repair-based materials management, are of- Transition and sustainable employment and pro- for the most precarious informal workers, and ten disparaged as being inefficient and incon- tections for those facing income insecurity. strengthening the social and economic systems venient. Without accounting for the social and that enable people to help themselves. environmental benefits of waste management Tackling the rising tide of plastic pollution calls for and prevention systems, solutions can too easily a fresh look at old solutions and the people who have be implemented that may manage materials in an long provided them. Informal waste prevention live- economically efficient way while being detrimental lihoods—both upstream and downstream—present to both livelihoods and the environment. Informal us with a massive and willing labor force capable of workers and their organizations are too often dis- reforming some of our most damaging material hab- placed by calls for greater logistical and financial its. When women informal workers can access path- efficiency while not accounting for their efficien- ways to more formal and decent work that matches cy in managing materials in more environmental their needs and abilities, materials management also ways as well as in generating employment and oth- becomes a vehicle for mending many of the injustices er social and labor benefits that incur costs from of our social and economic systems. 72 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s 73 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s 7. Plastics Waste Management Plastics Waste Management Benefits for the private sector include Annexes Working with women and men in the informal sector to increase local content, contributing to a company’s social license and good standing in the local community and reducing the risks of disruption or conflict as well as reducing reputational risk arising from gender-specific vulnerabilities in the plastics supply chain. Annex 1: The business case for gender in plastics waste management Generating efficiency gains by engaging Strengthening the talent pool by with women and men in the informal including more qualified female sector, by harnessing the skills and candidates for formal employment, expertise that female waste pickers have enabling improvements in already acquired. organizational efficiency and profit. Introduction This business case aims to highlight some of the ways companies and investors, in Strong financial opportunities exist for the pri- vate sector in plastics waste management in South partnership with local and national Asia. While development of new technology can governments, NGOs, and other offer commercial gains, throughout the region stakeholders, can leverage the plastics waste management is an industry that is still primarily driven by human capital—the gender advantage in plastics waste informal waste pickers/sorters, employees, and management through addressing Identifying and nurturing female-led Harnessing gender insights to better target entrepreneurs who keep the sector running daily. the needs of women as informal enterprises, thus expanding the pool of consumers, before and after plastic is disposed Women are heavily represented in the informal waste picking sector and play a key role in house- and formal workers, entrepreneurs, promising companies to support and help of, to improve efficiencies later in the plastics hold waste management. and consumers. to scale. waste value chain. 74 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 75 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Increasing gender inclusion when engaging with the informal waste picking sector can… Key issue Business case Case study Key entry points For plastics recycling or waste man- Collecting and sorting requires familiarity with dif- In Sao Paulo, Brazil, Dow (owner of the largest munici- 1. Map local organizations to identify potential part- agement companies, successful op- ferent types of plastics and their value and fine pal waste management operation in the city) has forged ners or intermediaries to interlock with the infor- erations depend on being able to motor skills. In the Global South, this work is typi- a partnership with the start-up Boomera, a certified B mal waste sector workers. secure a regular supply of suitable cally dominated by women in the informal sector. Corp, to incorporate informal waste pickers (both women collected plastic materials as well as Contracting or subcontracting with women who and men) into its supply chains—with women particular- 2. Carry out a gender assessment to better under- accurate sorting of materials. have had to develop the ability to sort quickly and ly involved in the painstaking work of sorting materials. stand the needs and priorities of female waste efficiently helps companies ensure high-quality pickers and sorters in terms of issues such as …generate In the Global South, most of the plas- feedstock (Krishnan and Backer 2019). Boomera works through a network of established asso- safety, equipment, health care, and childcare. efficiency gains tic waste is still handled first by the ciations of waste pickers to gather and sort plastics for through harnessing the skills and informal sector. Investing in training, PPE, safe equipment, and recycling—including those materials previously consid- 3. Offer training and access to equipment to help fair wages for workers—even those on contract— ered too difficult to process, such as disposable diapers women waste pickers better meet the quality and expertise that encourages retention and helps support smooth and espresso coffee pods. The company then processes volume standards/targets of the company. female waste company operations. the collected materials into ‘new’ products that can be pickers have already acquired resold. To date these materials have included affordable 4. Explore opportunities to gain government sup- Women may be contracted either as independent musical instruments for schools, coat hangers, shoes, port and partnership, for example, through grants, contractors (for example, via an app) or through or- garments, food packaging, and tarpaulins (Vialli 2017). regulatory assistance, policy incentives, or other ganized associations of waste pickers. Engaging collaboration that could help strengthen the busi- with established organizations, associations/co- Since starting to work with Boomera and its networks ness proposition. operatives or start-ups to broker the integration of of organized waste pickers, productivity in Dow’s waste informal waste workers can create more opportuni- management system climbed to 70%, sales increased by ties for local value creation and reduce the logistical 50%, and average monthly salaries rose above minimum burden of managing supply chain complexity while wage (National Geographic). In recognition of its commit- retaining the benefits of efficiency and productivity. ment to gender inclusion in the workplace, the supply Women working as part of organized structures also chain, and the communities in which it operates, Dow has tend to benefit from more secure and better-waged been included in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index employment—which can help companies create a 2021 (Business Wire 2021). more socially responsible supply chain. 76 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 77 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Increasing gender inclusion when engaging with the informal waste picking sector can… Key issue Business case Case study Key entry points The Environmental Justice Atlas To gain the trust and cooperation of the com- In Delhi, India, local residents and informal waste pick- 1. Begin community engagement early, hiring ex- produces global maps of resource munities in which they operate, and to prevent ers united to fiercely oppose the new Okhla incineration perienced advisers and creating an internal team conflicts around the world. Its most supply disruptions or conflict, plastics waste man- plant (Demaria, Patra and Alier 2019). Resistance came including local women and men, to help manage recent release documents no few- agement companies benefit from finding ways to from a combination of economic threat and the back- expectations and understand more about com- er than 126 significant conflicts over incorporate both male and female pickers and lash against dioxin pollutants from the plant, which are munity priorities and challenges. waste management in the Global collectives from the informal system into their documented to have the most serious health impacts on …increase South. Most of these conflicts arise 16 supply chains. Doing so can also be an opportu- pregnant women and their unborn children (WHO 2016). 2. Develop a gender-inclusive local content strate- from the growing trend toward privat- nity to contribute to more gender-inclusive local gy and adopt a gender-smart code of conduct for local content, ization in the waste management in- economic development. From the waste picking community, women (whose engaging with local suppliers. contributing to a dustry, resulting in the informal waste livelihoods stood to be worst impacted) were most vo- company’s social license and good sector getting pushed aside and live- A company can, for example, contract with local cal and active in organizing against the plant. Although 3. Engage with other key stakeholders with gender lihoods destroyed. Women are partic- women’s associations to provide collection and/ the Indian authorities ultimately ruled in favor of the expertise, such as local NGOs and local govern- standing in the ularly badly affected. or sorting services, assisting in registration and plant, the company spent 5 years in protracted litigation ment, to coordinate strategies. local community formalization if required. Over time, it may also and continues to face hostility and resentment from the and reducing the risks of disruption Without engagement with local com- facilitate access to capital and training to allow local community. 4. Create a gender-inclusive, anonymous and effec- munities and their leadership (both women’s associations that are already trusted tive grievance mechanism for anyone in the com- or conflict male and female) as well as local gov- partners to increase their share of value by grow- munity to access (ADB 2003). ernment institutions and an attempt to ing into supply chain aggregators—a role tradi- share economic benefits, companies tionally dominated by men. may find their operations disrupted. Companies can equally engage with existing lead- ership—which is often male—in the informal sector to explore mutually beneficial ways of incorporat- ing them into the supply chain. For example, those with vehicles and driving skills may be trained and contracted as transporters of materials—thus aligning their incentives with the company’s op- erational success and reducing the chances of disruption or sabotage. 16. Environmental Justice Atlas. “EJAtlas: Mapping Environmental Justice.” Environmental Justice Atlas (EJAtlas). Accessed September 6, 2021. https://ejatlas.org/. 78 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 79 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Increasing gender inclusion when engaging with the informal waste picking sector can… Key issue Business case Case study Key entry points The structure of the informal plastics In sectors such as mining or construction— The Bagong Silang Treatment, Storage, and Dis- 1. Engage a GBV expert to carry out a gender waste management sector relies on a where there is a high degree of subcontracting, posal (TSD) facility in Philippines pioneered a unique assessment. low-paid, predominantly female base and work may be taking place in and around at- partnership between the private sector, government, with the higher-paid positions of bro- risk populations (particularly women and chil- and donors to improve the efficiency of e-waste recy- 2. Put in place and communicate appropriate kerage—such as dealers and aggre- dren who are low-income workers)—incidences cling while mitigating gender-specific risks in the sup- GBV policies. gators—held mainly by men. of sexual abuse or exploitation in the commu- ply chain. …reduce nity or workforce have the potential to signifi- 3. Partner with local organizations that are trusted In terms of physical safety and se- cantly tarnish a company’s reputation. Given the high risks facing many female recyclers, the and have expertise in GBV issues; provide refer- reputational curity, this structure leaves female project ensured women received information and train- rals and a gender-inclusive grievance mechanism risk arising from pickers and sorters potentially vul- From a health perspective, as oil and chemical ing about environmentally sound procedures and tech- (ADB 2003) for any complaints to be made. gender-specific nerable to exploitation and abuse. companies have learned over many painful epi- nologies for collection, disassembly, segregation, and vulnerabilities in the plastics supply Many waste pickers begin work as sodes of toxin exposure leading to illness, injury, recycling of e-waste. Results were tracked with sex-dis- 4. Provide GBV and health and safety training and children, and girl children especially and even death to workers and host communi- aggregated indicators with the goal of increasing wom- resources to all contractors and workers on gen- chain are extremely vulnerable to traffick- ties, as well as high-profile and costly litigation, in- en’s participation and leadership in the management of der-specific risks and vulnerabilities in the com- ing and sexual abuse—risks that are vesting in prevention and protection is far cheaper e-waste recycling. pany operations and supply chain. heightened if they are homeless and/ than attempting damage control. or refugees or migrants, as many are. The facility was designed with women’s needs in mind— 5. Ensure that all contractors are supplied with prop- BPA (a component in many hard plastics) is a providing safe and dedicated work areas for dissem- erly fitting PPE. Specific occupational health risks known hormone disruptor; studies have linked it bling in addition to tools and protective equipment. are also present for women (and to increases in diabetes, heart disease, birth de- Reflecting the gender ratio of e-waste recyclers, 70% 6. Include female and male waste pickers in consul- particularly pregnant women) who fects, early puberty, and high levels of certain of the dismantlers receiving the training were women tations about design and operation of any facilities are working with plastic waste liver enzymes. Plastics marked as ‘BPA free’ still (UNIDO 2020). that they will use or be expected to engage with. and/or living in local communities often contain any number of hormone-disrupting where plastic waste often ends up chemicals (Stann 2020). Women who have every- before collection. day contact with BPA from plastics can have an increased risk of miscarriage, polycystic ovarian syndrome (which is known to cause infertility), baldness, breast cancer, and ovarian cysts (Caria- ti et al. 2019). 80 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 81 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Increasing gender inclusion in the formal waste management workforce can… Key issue Business case Case study Key entry points Women and men tend to assume dif- Data across industries and countries prove that when Gender-diverse workforces also lead to a higher like- 1. Conduct gender audits to understand chal- ferent, unequal roles in the plastics workforces are gender diverse at all levels, company lihood of gender diversity being prioritized in opera- lenges with attracting, retaining, and promot- waste management workforce, per- performance improves. Companies and municipalities tions and strategy. A study conducted of the West ing women and men employees. petuating gender inequality, limiting stand to benefit from closing gender gaps between Sussex County Council, United Kingdom, found that opportunities for women’s career ad- existing employees through investing in training, pol- its innovative and successful waste management and 2. Review and update HR policies and practices vancement, and leaving untapped icies, and other measures as well as through target- minimization practices can be attributed to the large to promote gender equality, such as gender-re- potential on the table. ed efforts to recruit more women—especially in areas percentage of women who hold senior management sponsive recruitment methods, equitable reten- …strengthen where they are currently underrepresented. positions. These senior managers prioritized gender tion and promotion practices, parent-friendly the talent pool Moreover, companies working in the sensitivity issues in the county’s waste management workplace policies, and GBV and sexual harass- and lead to formal sector often do not incorpo- Prioritizing diversity leads to a wider talent pool, in- and community outreach strategies. One male senior ment policies. improvements in rate any recourse for on-the-job sex- creased variety of ideas, and more innovation and manager said that the gender inclusivity of the County organizational efficiency and ual harassment and abuse of power productivity. Gender diversity at the senior manage- Council’s waste management strategies was also aided 3. Consider offering on-site or subsidized child- affecting female workers, which in- ment and board levels has been tied to greater fi- by the young age range of many male and female se- care options, to allow more women to enter the profit hibit women’s ability to engage in oth- nancial performance; a study by AmCham France nior managers, allowing for fresh ideas and innovation. workforce).17 er functions in the value chain. found 41% higher returns on equity and 56% greater operating results in companies with more gender-di- West Sussex County Council’s successes include win- 4. Assess and update uniforms, PPE, and work- verse senior management teams (AmCham France ning the International Council for Local Environmental place design and infrastructure to support best and BIAC 2014). Initiatives ‘Local Initiatives Award’ for best practice in performance by women and men employees. waste management due to its successful community Spending the time and money up front to prevent consultation processes and achieving a recycling and 5. Establish gender equality and unconscious bias sexual harassment and GBV in the workforce also composting rate of 20.1% in 2003, compared to the UK’s training for all employees—and contractors, reduces business costs—sexual harassment is esti- national recycling rate of 14.5% for the same time period when possible. mated to cost a typical Fortune 500 company US$14 (Buckingham, Reeves, and Batchelor 2007). million per year (Parramore 2018). 6. Create or support leadership, mentorship, schol- arship, training opportunities, and women’s profes- Company experience and extensive research also sional networks, and collaborate with academia, find that gender diversity in the workforce leads to the government, and civil society where possible. improved accident rates and health and safety, as fe- male employees have a greater tendency to comply with safety protocols and care for equipment (Ne- witt, Usher, and Hegewisch 2013). This does not mean that either female or male employees are more ideal than the other, but rather they bring different skills and attributes to the table. In India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, for example, women in the plastics waste management sector are preferred for skilled and time-intensive tasks, such as picking and 17. IFC. “Employer-Supported Childcare Brings Benefits to Families, Employers, and the Economy.” Tackling Childcare. sorting, that require fine motor skills (Krishnan and IFC. https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/topics_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/gender+at+ifc/ Backer 2019). priorities/employment/tackling_childcare_the_business_case_for_employer_supported_childcare 82 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 83 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Increasing gender inclusion when investing in entrepreneurship and start-ups in plastics waste management can… Key issue Business case Case study Key entry points Plastics waste management is a Global data from entrepreneurship surveys show In Jakarta, Indonesia, Rebricks is a high-growth en- 1. Map female entrepreneurs and would-be entre- global challenge and requires sig- that women are more likely to found business- terprise recently founded by two women, to process preneurs through engagement with colleges, uni- nificant innovation with the devel- es with social and environmental goals or to aim and transform plastic waste into bricks for paving and versities, and local entrepreneurship hubs. opment of new technology, human for a ‘triple bottom line’ (Hechavarria et al. 2012). construction. The women are operating in a traditionally ingenuity, and a range of business Given the urgency of the plastics waste manage- male-dominated industry but have been able to suc- 2. Hold capacity-building training for promising fe- models to help tackle the problem. ment crisis, it is likely that there are many current cessfully scale their operations owing to their inclusion male entrepreneurs. or would-be female entrepreneurs who are inter- in an incubator program and through benefiting from ..help investors expand their Many women-led businesses in ested in starting companies to become part of the the mentoring of one of the cofounders’ families that 3. Support female entrepreneurs to access finance. emerging markets—particularly solution. Identifying early-stage female-owned has a background in the construction industry (Bruce pool of promising companies to those in male-dominated sectors businesses to support with networking, capaci- 2020). Rebricks can currently recycle the waste from 4. Provide mentorship and networking opportunities such as waste management—strug- ty building, and financing can offer investors new 88,000 plastic sachets per day and 33 million sachets for female entrepreneurs operating in male-dom- support and help gle to access capital, networks, and opportunities to expand their portfolio of high-per- per year into building materials. inated industries. to scale publicity at the same rates as their forming companies. male counterparts. In India, Sarika Kulkarni is the founder and CEO of Pad- 5. Collaborate with local and national governments Cross-country evidence suggests that female Care Labs, a start-up that aims to transform the way that and civil society to link up with any state- or na- entrepreneurs may be more likely to make their menstrual pads are disposed of. Currently menstrual tional-level programs to support female entre- money go further. A recent study from Boston waste is collected by informal waste pickers, the vast preneurs, and explore opportunities for public Consulting Group studied 350 companies that had majority of whom are women. Menstrual waste that is tendering for female-owned businesses. been included in the MassChallenge program. The collected is usually incinerated or placed into landfill— study found that, for every dollar of investment both options carrying health and environmental risks, 6. Conduct assessments and provide advisory sup- raised, female-run start-ups generated 78 cents particularly for the female waste pickers who handle port to help start-ups embed gender goals and in revenue, whereas male-run start-ups generat- this waste. Disposable pads are single-use plastic and commitments into their operations from the ear- ed only 31 cents (Abouzahr et al. 2016) Even more normally take 800 years to decompose in landfills. Many ly stages. strikingly, women outperformed their male coun- pads find their way into waterways where they contrib- terparts despite raising less money (US$935,000 ute to marine pollution. Kulkarni has harnessed her versus US$2.12 million). training as a designer and mechanical engineer to cre- ate safe, eco-friendly, cost-effective disposal units that Elsewhere, similar studies concur. A study from can be easily fitted into public and private bathrooms. venture capital firm First Round Capital found PadCare also works with the network of female waste that the female-led companies it had financed pickers to ensure disposal units are emptied regularly. performed 63% better than the all-male founding The product that is emptied from the disposal unit is teams it had backed (Kokalitcheva 2015). Further sanitized and deodorized and can be recycled as pa- research from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foun- per or used as clean fuel. Female waste pickers working dation found that women-led teams generate a with PadCare are provided training, PPE, safe and digni- 35% higher return on investment than all-male fied work, and fair wages (Kleshchenko 2020). teams (Garaizar 2016). 84 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 85 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Increasing gender inclusion when engaging with consumers on plastics waste management can… Key issue Business case Case study Key entry points Private companies in the sector have In some countries, studies have shown that wom- Hoi An, Vietnam, developed a long-term plan to ad- 1. Design gender-sensitive outreach campaigns a shared interest in improving the effi- en are more inclined to recycle, more interested dress the community’s inadequate waste management and behavioral change communications that ciency of plastics waste management in learning what comes of waste after it is thrown practices and the dangerous overcapacity of its landfill strategically target both women and men at at source. away, and more socialized toward sustainability space (UNDP 2018). Its Women’s Union, in partnership the household level. and proper disposal practices (Sumangali and with the Vietnam Office of Natural Resources and En- Women globally hold the primary Backer 2021). Women also influence 70–80% of vironment and the Public Works Agency, established 2. Propose training women as local community responsibility for household waste all consumer purchasing decisions globally (Bren- an improved waste management scheme and em- educators and change agents (and pay them …better target management as well as household nan 2015). ployed women waste pickers to not only collect waste for their work). consumers, both purchasing decisions. They are over- but also serve as community educators and advocates before and after plastic is disposed represented in cleaning and domes- However, over 75% of the waste management about proper waste management practices. The cam- 3. Work with local, regional, and national govern- tic work (both paid and unpaid) and budget is for collection and transportation; sort- paign targeted radio and television as well as cultural ments as well as civil society and community of continue to be mainly responsible for ing waste more properly before arrival will in- events and has reduced the amount of waste going to organizations, to coordinate communications educating children about waste man- crease the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of landfill by 70% (UNDP 2018). and educational efforts around proper dispos- agement and environmental issues. waste management. It is therefore in companies’ al practices. best interest to engage with women and capi- Consumers are increasingly discerning in their decisions talize on this increased efficiency potential, in- to purchase goods that have lower negative environ- 4. Employ more women in plastics waste man- cluding by targeting awareness campaigns to mental and social impacts—in fact, brands that show- agement, to better reach the local community facilitate behavior change with regard to house- case positive contributions to the environment and and women’s concerns. hold waste management, as well as product communities are more in demand than ever before. marketing campaigns to women. This will have Social enterprises are emerging around the world with a trickle-down effect to friends and family mem- innovative ideas to enhance the private sector’s social bers, especially children—passing on this aware- impacts. RePurpose Global is a plastic credit platform, ness and best practice to the next generation. created by Svanika Balasubramanian and her two co- founders as a result of their joint master’s thesis focused Considering the roles women play in their com- on one of the largest waste dumps in Mumbai, India. munities, they have also been known to be suc- Like being carbon neutral, RePurpose enables individu- cessful community educators, both in voluntary als and businesses to become ‘plastic neutral’ and take and paid capacities, providing value to compa- responsibility for their plastic footprint by funding recy- nies and municipalities to encourage proper sort- cling of the same amount of plastic waste they produce. ing of waste and recycling. One study across four Currently, RePurpose funds plastic recovery projects countries in South and Southeast Asia found that across six countries and is working with partners inter- not only are women involved at various points nationally to create a global plastic offset standard. Em- throughout the waste value chain, but they often bedding gender equality into RePurpose from the start play a large role in recycling, repair, and reuse, was a key goal of the founders. such as working as scrap buyers or working in or owning junk shops (Krishnan and Backer 2019). 86 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 87 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Annex 2: Solid waste Key solid waste management policies developed and approved in the South management policies and Asia Region regulations across the South Asia Region - a baseline assessment Policy is defined as a law, regulation, procedure, agement can be influenced by policies in many official action, or a voluntary practice of gov- different stages of the plastic value chain as well ernment or another institution. Policy decisions as contextual factors. For example, a policy on are frequently reflected in resource allocations, separation of waste at source will enable munic- decision-making, prioritization, and prepara- ipalities to enforce, create incentives, and set up tion of plans and actions. Plastic waste man - collection systems. Afghanistan Bangladesh Has developed environmental policies quite re- Bangladesh’s policy framework was developed cently with the Environmental Law introduced much earlier, with the Bangladesh Environment in 2007, followed by waste management policies Conservation Act coming into force in 1995 and Similarly, a policy that bans and plans. In 2012, there was a presidential an- the revised act introducing a ban on single-use single-use plastics will nouncement to ban plastic bags and a draft policy plastic bags in 2002. Bangladesh has legislat - to control single-use/disposable plastics is now ed for alternatives to plastic bags through jute change what is produced under development (2022). Policy effectiveness packaging and product labelling rules intro- and imported as well as remains limited, at least partly due to the narrow duced (2010, 2013) and amended (2017). Howev- consumer behavior. Such scope of policies introduced to date. er, this has not been effective yet due to a lack of compliance and enforcement and lack of wider policies may also allow enabling policies. The solid waste management regulatory bodies to enforce rules drafted in 2005 are not approved and wid- certain behavior. er single-use plastic bans or policies have not been developed. 88 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 89 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Bhutan India Has long-standing rules to protect the environ- Has a wide range of policies at the national level. ment, developing in earnest from the Nature However, although it has twice stated that it in- and Conservation Act, which came into force in tends to phase out single-use plastic by 2022, there 1995. Bhutan was the first country in South Asia is no national ban in place, but a proliferation of to implement a plastics ban, with its ban on the state-level plastic bag and wider single-use plas- sale and use of plastic carrier bags, doma wrap- tic bans across the country have been established. pers, and homemade ice cream (Pepsi) pouches The most comprehensive bans of single-use plas- The waste import ban was initially weakened but (1999). These bans have been partially effective tic products are in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odi- has been fully reinstated and is largely effective. and were subsequently reinforced in 2005, 2009, sha, Kerala, Sikkim, and Mizoram (CSE 2020, 26). This, together with similar bans in Asia, makes it and 2019 with strengthened enforcement actions. However, plastic bags are excluded from the draft- harder to export plastic waste for recycling from In recent years, the focus has shifted to improv- ed EPR framework, which as of mid 2022 remains a ing waste management with waste regulations draft framework. The 2016 Plastic Waste Manage- smaller countries. The Solid Waste Management specifying the need for segregated waste collec- ment Rules stated that MLP and single-use plastic Rules (2016) give recognition to waste pickers tion in the capital starting in 2015, which is now would be phased out in two years but were watered and collectors and make prescriptions for them shifting from a two- to three-stream collection down following corporate lobbying in 2018 and (wet, dry, and hazardous waste) and being rep- MLP sachets can now be burned instead of being to be trained, issued ID cards, and integrated into licated nationwide. This is now supported by the phased out. Solid Waste Management Rules (2016) doorstep waste collection. National Waste Strategy (2019) which set a goal mandate source separation of waste, but this is still for zero waste by 2030 and a flagship integrat- mostly not implemented, as dumping is allowed ed waste management program. Bhutan has also until segregation is established. India does not introduced import taxes on plastic products and have any recycling standards to make new products fiscal incentives for recycling collection and pro- from plastic waste but has a specification (adopted cessing enterprises. and adapted across the region) for the replacement of bitumen in road surfacing. Since 2019, India has banned the import of all plastic waste, including PET flakes, which were previously imported from Bangladesh and Nepal. 90 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 91 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Maldives Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka Established its overarching Environment Pro- Has had long-standing policies in waste man- Introduced its overarching Environmental Pro- Introduced its National Environmental Act in tection and Preservation Act in 1983; howev- agement, but these have not been effective - tection Act in 1997, but plastic and wider waste 1980 and has had a strong progression of pol- er, specific policies to manage and control the ly implemented until more recently. A ban on management policies and regulations since then icies regarding waste management and, more plastic value chain have been introduced much plastic bags in the Kathmandu Valley was intro- have been largely limited to introduction of recently, plastics management. In 2017, the more recently, as reflected in the Strategic Ac- duced following a campaign in 2015. However, state-level bans for thin single-use plastic bags government banned single-use plastics includ- tion Plan (SAP) 2019–2023) and the Single-Use this was shortly followed by a major earthquake (less than 15 microns) which have now been in- ing bags less than 20 microns thick and various Plastic Phase-out Plan introduced in 2021 which and now has limited effectiveness. In 2015, Ne- troduced across the country but are largely inef- items including food containers from expanded will prohibit the import of certain plastic prod- pal also changed its constitution, which now re- fective. Guidelines for solid waste management polythene and banned open burning. This was ucts in June 2021 and others in December 2022. quires local government areas to introduce their were drafted by 2005 but have not been intro- relatively effective, except for the plastic bag The 17th and 18th amendments to the Import-Ex- own environmental policies and regulations. duced or implemented. Provincial climate change ban. In 2021, further regulations were introduced port Act in 2020 complement this by introduc- This has led to plastic bag bans in some rural strategies now exist and refer to waste manage- banning the use of MLP sachets, inflatable toys, ing a 200 percent and 400 percent tax on bags, areas and national parks in particular. Nepal has ment, and the national and provincial Environ- and cotton buds with plastic stems. Waste segre- sacks, and straws and on plastic bottles, respec- a Solid Waste Management Act (2011) and Reg- mental Protection Agencies and the Ministry of gation is established in the most populous area, tively. Although policies have stated the intention ulations (2013) that require the segregation of Climate Change are working together under the Western Province, and is now agreed to be im- for waste collections to be segregated, this has not waste, but this requirement has not been im- Clean and Green Pakistan initiative that is ex- plemented nationwide following a fatal dumpsite been implemented nationally, although initiatives plemented. However, this is reflected in Nepal’s pected to strengthen legislation, including on accident in 2017. Sri Lanka is the most advanced now exist in some areas following regulations for recent Environmental Protection Act and Reg- plastics waste. country in terms of regulations to support recy- these locations since 2006. A national waste man- ulations (2019 and 2020), and Nepal’s climate cling of plastics into products through PET bottle agement policy is anticipated in 2022 to introduce commitments to the United Nations Framework manufacturers complying with a Central Envi- EPR and ‘polluter pays’ principles, but it is not Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (2020) ronment Authority requirement to eliminate col- clear if this will mandate waste segregation. commits that by 2030 Nepal will adopt and im- ored pigment from PET bottles, avoid PET and plement source segregation and management of PVT for packaging agrochemicals, and label all degradable and nondegradable waste and recy- plastic products. cling across the country. 92 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management 93 Building a Future for Women in South Asia’s Plastics Waste Management Mapping solid waste management and plastic policies and regulations in the South Asia Region. Figure A1: Plastic and waste legislation by countries and date of establishment Afghanistan Typology of plastic policies and Type Description and examples regulations No. Bangladesh 1 Single-use plastic bag Banning specific products (for example, single-use plastic bags, policies and bans Styrofoam, plastic cutlery, MLP sachets). Levies to reduce the scale of production or consumption of single-use plastics/ Buthan products could also be considered here. Single-use-plastic 2 Single-use product/plastic policies (for example, levies) and bans for plastic bags had a bans covering a wider greater policy focus and were considered separately, as was in range of products India the global review on plastic policies by Karasik et al. (2020). 3 Waste management Two main areas of waste management policy were identified Maldives regulations that lead to as particularly pertinent to plastic leakage rates: whether there collection of waste in is an overall requirement to collect waste (which affects waste separate waste streams capture rates) and the extent of segregation of dry and/or recyclable materials (which affects the amount of plastic that can Nepal be separated out for recycling). 4 Products standards and This specifically relates to enabling the use of recycled materials Pakistan specifications to make new products or applications (for example, food contact materials) and determine requirements and restrictions on hazardous substances (for example, separate collection of Sri Lanka plastics containing hazardous materials). 2006 2008 2009 2004 2005 2002 2007 2020 1990 1996 1999 2001 2010 2016 2018 2019 1983 1987 1992 2014 2015 2013 2012 2017 2021 2011 5 EPR policies This includes any deposit return schemes (for example, for plastic bottles) and subsidies provided by producers for improved waste Policy Categories management and recycling. Single Use Plastic Bag Policies EPR 6 Other market-based This includes any ban tax on imports (including of plastic waste) Wider Single Used Product/Plastic bans Other Market Based Instruments incl. Imports instruments including or incentives (for example, tax relief) on capital investment and/or Waste management regulations Draft import taxes manufacturing that uses recycled materials or taxes to dissuade from the use of specific plastic types (for example, PVC tax). Products standards/specifications Notes: 7 Wider environmental Wider environmental controls include overarching legislation 1. Laws that fall into more than one category are represented several times, by the symbols corresponding to each category. policies that includes cultural/ behavioral change, public awareness, 2. The number in a symbol corresponds to the number of laws of the same category enacted on the same date overall governance, and enforcement of environmental policies and legislation. 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Accessed September Plastic waste pollution in the world’s oceans and waterways has reached crisis levels, degrading the health of marine ecosystems and affecting the people and economies that they support. The South Asia Region is the third largest contributor of plastic waste globally, with 8 percent of the region’s solid waste composed of plastic Three-fourths of the South Asia Region’s waste ends up in the environment through open dumping. At current rates, the amount of waste generated across South Asia is expected to increase from 265 million tons per year in 2020 to 560 million tons by 2050.