IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/jintdv/v32y2020i6p833-853.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.3479
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/jid.3479?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Geof Wood & Sarah Salway, 2000. "Introduction: securing livelihoods in Dhaka slums," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 12(5), pages 669-688.
    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.
    3. Enri Damanhuri, 2012. "The Role of Informal Collectors of Recyclable Waste and Used Goods in Indonesia," Chapters, in: Enri Damanhuri (ed.), Post-Consumer Waste Recycling and Optimal Production, IntechOpen.
    4. Chambers, Robert, 1994. "The origins and practice of participatory rural appraisal," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 22(7), pages 953-969, July.
    5. 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.
    6. Caroline Moser & Anis A. Dani, 2008. "Assets, Livelihoods, and Social Policy," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 6542.
    7. Sen, Amartya, 1997. "Editorial: Human capital and human capability," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 25(12), pages 1959-1961, December.
    8. 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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jay Mitra & Mariusz Sokolowicz & Ursula Weisenfeld & Agnieszka Kurczewska & Silke Tegtmeier, 2020. "Citizen Entrepreneurship: A Conceptual Picture of the Inclusion, Integration and Engagement of Citizens in the Entrepreneurial Process," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 6(2), pages 242-260, July.
    2. Nicola Banks, 2014. "Livelihoods Limitations: The Political Economy of Urban Poverty in Bangladesh," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series 19914, GDI, The University of Manchester.
    3. Epo, Boniface Ngah & Abiala, Mireille Ambiana & Maimo, Clovis Wendji & Choub, Péguy Christophe Faha, 2010. "Globalization, Institutions, Asset Endowments and Poverty Reduction Outcomes in Africa within the Context of the Financial Crisis: Establishing a Transmission Mechanisms," MPRA Paper 20655, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. 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).
    5. Pierre Falzon & Vanina Mollo, 2009. "Promoting constructive ergonomics : the conditions for a capacitating work [Hacia una ergonomía constructiva : condiciones para un trabajo capacitante]," Post-Print hal-02496960, HAL.
    6. Arup Mitra, 2010. "Migration, Livelihood and Well-being: Evidence from Indian City Slums," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 47(7), pages 1371-1390, June.
    7. World Bank Group, 2012. "Understanding Access to Justice and Conflict Resolution at the Local Level in the Central African Republic," World Bank Publications - Reports 16097, The World Bank Group.
    8. Simplice A. Asongu & Jacinta C. Nwachukwu, 2018. "Increasing Foreign Aid for Inclusive Human Development in Africa," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 138(2), pages 443-466, July.
    9. Canton, César G., 2012. "Empowering People in the Business Frontline: The Ruggie’s Framework and the Capability Approach," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 23(2), pages 191-216.
    10. Soltani, Arezoo & Angelsen, Arild & Eid, Tron & Naieni, Mohammad Saeid Noori & Shamekhi, Taghi, 2012. "Poverty, sustainability, and household livelihood strategies in Zagros, Iran," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 60-70.
    11. 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.
    12. Sasaki, Shunsuke & Araki, Tetsuya & Tambunan, Armansyah Halomoan & Prasadja, Heru, 2014. "Household income, living and working conditions of dumpsite waste pickers in Bantar Gebang: Toward integrated waste management in Indonesia," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 11-21.
    13. Fernando Bucheli, 2021. "Before Entering Adulthood: Developing an Index of Capabilities for Young Adults in Bogota," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(3), pages 965-1002, June.
    14. Davies-Colley, Christian & Smith, Willie, 2012. "Implementing environmental technologies in development situations: The example of ecological toilets," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 1-8.
    15. Jessica Ann Diehl, 2020. "Growing for Sydney: Exploring the Urban Food System through Farmers’ Social Networks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-21, April.
    16. Yogesh Ghore & Brad Long & Zeynep Ozkok & Derin Derici, 2023. "Rethinking human capital: Perspectives from women working in the informal economy," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 41(5), September.
    17. Adonteng-Kissi, Obed, 2018. "Causes of child labour: Perceptions of rural and urban parents in Ghana," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 55-65.
    18. Susan Harkness, 2004. "Social and Political Indicators of Human Well-being," WIDER Working Paper Series RP2004-33, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    19. Anton Eitzinger & Peter Läderach & Christian Bunn & Audberto Quiroga & Andreas Benedikter & Antonio Pantoja & Jason Gordon & Michele Bruni, 2014. "Implications of a changing climate on food security and smallholders’ livelihoods in Bogotá, Colombia," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 161-176, February.
    20. Eastwood, C.R. & Turner, F.J. & Romera, A.J., 2022. "Farmer-centred design: An affordances-based framework for identifying processes that facilitate farmers as co-designers in addressing complex agricultural challenges," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:32:y:2020:i:6:p:833-853. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/5102/home .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.