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Experiencing the Everyday of Waste Pickers: A Sustainable Livelihoods and Health Assessment in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

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  • Sayed Mohammad Nazim Uddin
  • Jutta Gutberlet
  • Anahita Ramezani
  • Sayed Mohammad Nasiruddin

Abstract

Waste pickers make a livelihood by collecting recyclable waste contributing to urban development and poverty reduction. Most often, they are socially excluded and exposed to different vulnerabilities (e.g. occupational health risks and accidents). This study adopts the sustainable livelihoods framework to assess multifaceted aspects of everyday life and work experiences of waste pickers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The framework takes an integrated and transdisciplinary approach to livelihood assets and vulnerabilities. Our findings reveal a situation of extreme poverty and neglect of waste pickers, while they are making the city more sustainable. Specific policies, strategies and actions are required to reduce risks and improve the working conditions of waste pickers. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Sayed Mohammad Nazim Uddin & Jutta Gutberlet & Anahita Ramezani & Sayed Mohammad Nasiruddin, 2020. "Experiencing the Everyday of Waste Pickers: A Sustainable Livelihoods and Health Assessment in Dhaka City, Bangladesh," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(6), pages 833-853, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:32:y:2020:i:6:p:833-853
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.3479
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Yujiro Hayami & A. K. Dikshit & S. N. Mishra, 2006. "Waste pickers and collectors in Delhi: Poverty and environment in an urban informal sector," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(1), pages 41-69.
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    4. Caroline Moser & Anis A. Dani, 2008. "Assets, Livelihoods, and Social Policy," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 6542.
    5. Kotie J. M. M. Viljoen & Phillip F. Blaauw & Rinie Schenck, 2015. "“I would rather have a decent job†: Barriers preventing street waste pickers from improving their socioeconomic conditions," Working Papers 498, Economic Research Southern Africa.
    6. Chambers, Robert, 1994. "The origins and practice of participatory rural appraisal," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 22(7), pages 953-969, July.
    7. Parizeau, Kate, 2015. "When Assets are Vulnerabilities: An Assessment of Informal Recyclers’ Livelihood Strategies in Buenos Aires, Argentina," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 161-173.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wittmer, Josie, 2021. "“We live and we do this work”: Women waste pickers’ experiences of wellbeing in Ahmedabad, India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    2. Ntobeko Mlotshwa & Tanya Dayaram & Asiphile Khanyile & Princess A. Sibanda & Kira Erwin & Tamlynn Fleetwood, 2022. "Working with Waste: Hazards and Mitigation Strategies Used by Waste Pickers in the Inner City of Durban," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-12, October.
    3. N. Robert Kerkulah Geninyan & Engin Baysen & Askin Kiraz, 2023. "Challenges and Prospects of Solid Waste Management in Monrovia City, Liberia," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(3), pages 62-76, March.
    4. Carlos J. Gallego & Juan C. David & I. N. Gomez-Miranda & Sebastián Jaén, 2023. "Quantitative Analysis of Colombian Waste Picker’s Profile," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-15, June.

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