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Formalization of Informal Waste Pickers’ Cooperatives in Blantyre, Malawi: A Feasibility Assessment

Author

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  • Cidrick Kasinja

    (Department of Physics and Biochemical Sciences, University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, Private Bag 303, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi)

  • Elizabeth Tilley

    (Department of Physics and Biochemical Sciences, University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, Private Bag 303, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
    Department of Environmental Health, University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, Private Bag 303, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
    Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, Duebendorf 8600, Switzerland)

Abstract

Poor road networks, inadequate financial resources and low levels of political will mean that many developing countries, especially their unplanned settlements, struggle with solid waste management. Recently, Informal Waste Pickers (IWPs) have been incorporated into waste management cooperatives by formalizing their operations as a strategy to improve the quality and efficiency of waste management in such areas. This study was conducted in Zingwangwa, an unplanned settlement in Blantyre, Malawi, to understand whether the formalization of IWPs into cooperatives could be effective and/or accepted as a way of managing Municipal Solid Waste in unplanned urban settlements in Malawi. Thirty-four IWPs in Zingwangwa were identified and interviewed using a structured questionnaire; personnel from the Blantyre City Council and middlemen were interviewed as key informants. We determined that IWPs experience challenges in all dimensions of their lives: low material prices with exploitative price fluctuations, negative public perception and a lack of transportation are a few of their struggles. Furthermore, a fear of decreased income, conflicts during proceeds sharing, free riding behaviors and an attachment to their independence mean that IWPs are unlikely to form a cooperative on their own though some would be willing to join if a third party initiated the formalization process.

Suggested Citation

  • Cidrick Kasinja & Elizabeth Tilley, 2018. "Formalization of Informal Waste Pickers’ Cooperatives in Blantyre, Malawi: A Feasibility Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:1149-:d:140549
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mr. Daouda Sembene, 2015. "Poverty, Growth, and Inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa: Did the Walk Match the Talk under the PRSP Approach?," IMF Working Papers 2015/122, International Monetary Fund.
    2. Navarrete-Hernandez, Pablo & Navarrete-Hernandez, Nicolas, 2018. "Unleashing Waste-Pickers’ Potential: Supporting Recycling Cooperatives in Santiago de Chile," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 293-310.
    3. Freek Colombijn & Martina Morbidini, 2017. "Pros and cons of the formation of waste-pickers’ cooperatives: a comparison between Brazil and Indonesia," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 44(2), pages 91-101, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Esther Salvi & Frank-Martin Belz & Sophie Bacq, 2023. "Informal Entrepreneurship: An Integrative Review and Future Research Agenda," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(2), pages 265-303, March.
    2. Daniel Baratieri Valente & Ricardo César da Silva Guabiroba & Marco Antonio Conejero & Marcelino Aurélio Vieira Silva & Aldara da Silva César, 2021. "Economic analysis of waste electrical and electronic equipment management: a study involving recycling cooperatives in Brazil," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(12), pages 17628-17649, December.
    3. Hongcheng Shen & Yi Liu, 2022. "Can Circular Economy Legislation Promote Pollution Reduction? Evidence from Urban Mining Pilot Cities in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-22, November.
    4. Navarro Ferronato & Vincenzo Torretta, 2019. "Waste Mismanagement in Developing Countries: A Review of Global Issues," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-28, March.

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