Waste-pickers get new-found respect
For many people who collect trash from the world’s waste dumps, it is not just a job but a livelihood too
By Shannon Swainston
Yesterday members from waste-picker organisations joined together at DGI Byen to share their experiences and spread the word about the importance of proactive lifestyle choice.
The panel consisted of six people dedicated to recycling and countering climate change from India and South America.
One of the speakers was Baby Mohite from India who has been waste-picking for 20 years. She spoke of how her humble beginnings at the landfill are turning into a more lucrative and respected enterprise.
“We just put our hands in the dirty garbage and take out materials. We were ignored, looked down upon, and discriminated against.”
“But now there is a new co-operation where we collect waste in the city,” she explained.
Before this, Mohite and her fellow waste-pickers were not paid: they only received money from the recycling plants. But with this new initiative they receive money from clients, along with some respect.
“People who used to look down on us are now the same people who pay us and give us respect. We are happy with the money but we are more happy with the respect,” she said.
The speakers acknowledged that while all countries pollute, the Western countries pollute more than their fair share.
“The poor do not pollute as much as the rich. It is the poor like us who have to take care of the pollution,” says Mohite.
Mohan Navare, president of Mohite’s waste-picking organisation (KKPKP), said: “There are no borders when talking about the environment, it effects everyone.”
He also believes that political solutions are the way to go, and “change cannot be brought about with the barrel of a gun.”
Exequiel Estay, secretary general of the National movement of waste-pickers in Chile, who was also on the panel, agreed with Navare and believed that “we need inclusive policies and laws. You can start with segregating your own rubbish. Talk to authorities and let them know waste-picking exists.”
“We are talking to everyone. People with light skin, non-light skin, hair, and no hair, glasses and no glasses. We are here because we want to save the planet,” he says.
