Finally, the piece of the waste puzzle we most often forget is the people. It is no exaggeration to say that, throughout the world, the poorest people are forced to live in, on, and from the waste produced by the rest of us. Especially in the developing world (where, as Annie explains, much of our “recycling” goes), informal collecting and sorting of waste provides a livelihood for large numbers of the urban poor, especially women and children. The World Bank estimates that 1 percent of the urban population in developing countries earns a living through this work.

People working in the informal recycling sector suffer from harsh working conditions, are exposed to many health hazards, often live in poor conditions, and have low social status and low earnings. Yet, everywhere, they provide critical recycling services.

However, there is evidence that where waste collectors are organized, and operate within a more favorable policy climate, they are able to achieve a decent standard of living and improve their health and social standing.GAIA is a worldwide alliance of more than 600 grassroots groups, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in over 82 countries whose ultimate vision is a just, toxic-free world that takes into account the needs and abilities of the poorest among us by standing in solidarity with waste pickers to demand safe working conditions, fair wages, and inclusion in the policy decisions that shape their lives.