Thesis (MA)--University of Montana, 2010. / Title from author supplied metadata. Includes bibliographical references.

Ph.D. (Economics) / Street waste pickers are a visible group of people trying to survive under poor socio-economic conditions. They participate in the informal economy as self-employed entrepreneurs. Despite the income-earning opportunity generated by the waste that is freely available, their social and economic conditions remain poor. This study is the first national study to investigate the social and economic conditions of the street waste pickers in South Africa. The national study covers thirteen major cities in South Africa and uses a mixed method research design. A literature review on informal waste picking activities and the participation of the poor in these activities provide a basis from which the socio-economic conditions of the street waste pickers could be analysed. A theoretical overview of poverty theories, the unemployment problem, and the characteristics of the informal economy and informal recycling activities help to contextualise the street waste pickers in terms of the link that exists between poverty, unemployment, and street waste picking activities as a marginal form of informal self-employment. With this as background, qualitative and quantitative data on the socio-economic conditions of the street waste pickers was collected from the street waste pickers themselves and from the buy-back centres with whom they interact on an almost daily basis.

Poverty in its many guises - poor housing, no employment, indifferent health and hunger is a driving force for scavenging. In most developing countries, the informal recovery of material from waste is a common survival strategy for the poor. In fact, up to 2% of populations in developing countries depend on recovering, re-using and selling waste materials from streets, dumpsite or landfills for their livelihood. The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of the socio-economic conditions affecting the scavengers and scavenging activities at the Hulene dumpsite in Maputo. This study set out to develop a conceptual framework depicting scavenging, its problems and opportunities. This was used to structure the research. The main issues addressed were: • The driving forces of scavenging where poverty is the major factor. • The organization of scavengers and scavenging activities showing that there is no formal organization of scavengers, which leads to exploitation of vulnerable groups. • The reaction from the national and local authorities, with the prevalence of a repressive policy and absence of support. • The gender dimension on scavenging activities; and • The perception of health risks. The findings are that scavenging constitutes a means of livelihood for poor people. These activities respond to the market demand and not to environmental considerations. However, in performing scavenging activities which results in informal recycling and resources recovery, people generate environmental benefits, economic benefits and social benefits. Other findings are that the informal organization of scavengers increases the exploitation and the health risk of scavengers. Thus, organization is a key to the success of scavengers and indirectly to the municipal economy. It is concluded that the framework set out in this thesis is useful in the sense that it illustrates the factors which influence scavenging activities. This framework can be used for further research in similar situations. It is also concluded that prohibition of scavenging activities would have undesirable consequences for the economy of Maputo in particular and of Mozambique in general. Thus, since this activity brings benefits to scavengers and to society, the government should support and stimulate this activity and not persecute those who provide this service. Consequently, as a recommendation, government, local communities and NGOs are called upon to support scavengers. The formation of scavenger co-operatives can promote sustainable grassroots development in this sector of the population. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-Unversity of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo estudar, a partir do cotidiano de trabalho da Cooperativa, as alterações, apreendidas por seus cooperados, em relação às suas crenças, valores, visão sobre o trabalho e a realidade social. Tais alterações possibilitam discutir a presença de uma consciência mais crítica desses trabalhadores, que contribua para uma nova forma de se apropriarem e de intervirem na realidade. A pesquisa ocorreu simultaneamente ao projeto de extensão universitária que desenvolvemos, junto à Cooperativa dos Catadores de Materiais Recicláveis, por intermédio do Núcleo de Assessoria à Formação e ao Desenvolvimento de Cooperativas Populares, da UNESP de Assis. A longa permanência no campo permitiu-nos, por meio da observação participante, entrevistas, grupos de discussões, fotos, documentos e registros, a obtenção de um grande banco de dados. A experiência vivida pelos catadores, em sua organização coletiva para o trabalho, com base nos princípios da Economia Solidária e do cooperativismo, bem como a trajetória da COOCASSIS apontam para diversas mudanças, tanto em relação ao seu funcionamento, quanto aos seus cooperados. Atualmente, parceira na política de gestão de resíduos sólidos do município, ela busca viabilizar, por meio de políticas públicas, a garantia de acesso definitivo aos meios e bens de produção. A convivência em um espaço de trabalho, também de sociabilidade, levou os cooperados, com o estabelecimento de relações democráticas e solidárias, ao exercício de suas potencialidades, à alteração da imagem que têm de si e da visão sobre o trabalho, que não se resume em garantir a sobrevivência. Nesse contexto, com os rendimentos aumentados, a produção adquire igualmente novo sentido: o de melhorar a vida dos cooperados. A rede de relações constituídas, ao longo desse percurso, com a Igreja Católica, Poder Público, UNESP, Movimento Nacional de Catadores, Fundação Banco do Brasil, sindicatos, movimentos sociais e outras instituições, foi fundamental ao desenvolvimento da Cooperativa. Possibilitaram aos seus cooperados o exercício político e o intenso processo de aquisição de conhecimentos, essenciais para que se apropriassem da realidade de forma mais crítica, alterassem o lugar nela ocupado e passassem nela a intervir. O papel desempenhado pela Assessoria da UNESP, como mediadora desse processo, contribuiu para os resultados alcançados. / The purpose of this research is to study, from the quotidian work at the Cooperative, the alterations seized by its members upon their beliefs, values, vision about work and social reality. Due to those alterations it is possible to discuss the presence of a most critical conscience in the workers, which will contribute for a new way of appropriation of reality and intervention in it. The research was developed together with a project of the University carried out by us at the Cooperativa de Catadores de Materiais Recicláveis, through the Núcleo de Assessoria à Formação e ao Desenvolvimento de Cooperativas Populares from UNESP in the city of Assis. The long staying in the field allowed me, through participant observation, interviews, groups of discussion, photos, documents and records, to obtain a large data bank. The experience of the workers, in their colective organization for work, based on the principles of Solidary Economy and on cooperativism, as well as the way of COOCASSIS, point to multiple changes either concerning its functioning as its own members. Nowadays, the Cooperative, which is a partner of the administration of solid residuum in the city, aims at the possibility, by public policies, of a guarantee for its definite access to means of production. The acquaintanceship developed in a place of work and sociability led the cooperators, under the establishment of democratic and solidary relations, to the exercise of their potencialities, to the alteration of self-image and of vision of work, which goes beyond the garantee of survival. In such context, with higher wages, production acquires a new sense: that of bringing to cooperators a better life. Along that period, the relationship acquainted with Catholic Church, Public Institutions, UNESP, National Moviment of Colectors, Fundation Bank of Brazil, labor unions, social moviments among other institutions, was fundamental to the development of the Cooperative. They made possible, for colectors, the political exercise and the intense process of knowledge acquisition that are essencial for their apropriation of reality in a more critical way, their changing of the space ocupied by it and their interference in it. The role of Advice of UNESP, as a mediator of the process, contributed for the achived results.

The informal sector in South Africa has experienced phenomenal growth since the end of Apartheid, and in Durban this has been no different. Due to the growth in unemployment, many have turned to the informal sector in order to find a way to survive and meet basic needs. Waste picking is one area of the informal economy where there is relative ease of entry, as limited start up capital is needed to go into business. This research sought to gain a better understanding of the waste pickers operating in Durban, their socio-economic characteristics, earnings, and their working conditions. The research also aimed to determine the linkages between informal recycling and the formal recycling industries, as well as the relationship between waste pickers and the local authorities. Three different buyback centres for recyclable material were chosen in order to gain access to waste pickers, and 20 questionnaires were conducted at each of these centres. Due to a lack of information as to the total population of waste pickers in Durban, this sample cannot be considered representative of all waste pickers in Durban. Rather, it presented a benchmark against which future larger studies can be measured. It was found that the waste pickers were fairly evenly divided according to gender, and that education levels were generally low with a large portion of the sample never having gone to school. Nearly all the waste pickers fell into the economically active population of 16-65, and most had migrated to Durban in search of a job. The majority of the waste pickers worked at least a standard working week, if not longer. Metal and cardboard were found to be the items of choice for collection. Nearly all the waste pickers transported their material by hand or by trolley. The study determined that waste picking cannot be considered a form of transitional employment. While the majority of the sample clearly expressed a wish to move to a different job, nearly all the respondents had been involved in waste picking for a year or longer. It is also an occupation entered into not by choice, but in order to survive. It is clearly a last resort for many of the individuals involved. The waste pickers in this study were found to earn, on average, very little. The differences in gender noted in this study were also startling. The men were found to have better means of transportation of materials (such as trolleys). Men were found to support smaller households, and earn more than the women, and more women were found to be living in very poor households than men. The relationship between the waste pickers and the local authorities was found to be a fairly indifferent one, and the waste pickers appeared to have limited contact with government officials. Considering the links between formal recycling and waste picking, this study supports the Marxist view of the informal economy, finding that the waste pickers in this study were clearly linked to the formal sector, and that their activities were subordinate to and dependent on the formal sector recycling companies. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

Os resíduos sólidos urbanos são considerados um grande problema mundial trazendo preocupações quanto ao aumento ininterrupto da sua geração motivado pelo consumo desenfreado da população. Além disso, muitos objetos postos para consumo quando transformados em resíduos possuem características de periculosidade e quando descartados de maneira inapropriada podem causar danos à saúde dos catadores de resíduos recicláveis e ao meio ambiente. Este trabalho busca avaliar qualitativamente e quantitativamente os resíduos com ênfase nos perigosos, que são destinados a Associação de Catadores do Município de Caxias do Sul-RS, via coleta seletiva. Para isto, foram separados e classificados os resíduos perigosos que chegam a duas associações de catadores identificando riscos à saúde desses trabalhadores e ao meio ambiente que podem decorrer devido ao manejo inadequado destes resíduos e analisar alterações na qualidade dos resíduos em situação de crise econômica. Esta é uma pesquisa documental e de campo realizada por meio de caracterizações de resíduos perigosos, oriundos da coleta seletiva do Município de Caxias do Sul-RS, durante uma semana em duas Associações de catadores selecionadas. Os resultados mostraram que há uma expressiva quantidade de resíduos perigosos inadequadamente descartados pela população como resíduo seletivo tais como: seringas com agulhas; medicamentos; ampolas; pilhas; lâmpadas; baterias; luvas de procedimento; inseticidas; veneno para pragas; e material potencialmente perigoso como o vidro. Ainda os resultados mostraram que os resíduos de serviço de saúde também foram encontrados na coleta seletiva, e representam riscos à saúde dos catadores, podendo transmitir doenças como a hepatite, além de causar lesões laborais que os impossibilitam de dar continuidade no seu ritmo de trabalho. Em relação a análise econômica notou-se queda na geração de resíduos pela população entre 2014 e 2015 refletindo na diminuição da renda dos catadores nas associações, que necessitaram reciclar resíduos de menor valor comercial como o vidro, que antes era considerado rejeito, para melhorar sua renda. Em suma, o descarte inadequado dos resíduos perigosos na coleta seletiva causa malefícios muitas vezes irreparáveis na vida dos catadores, que fazem da catação o seu meio de subsistência. / Solid urban waste is considered a major global problem raising concerns about the uninterrupted increase of its generation motivated by the unbridled consumption of the population. In addition, many objects put to consumption when transformed into waste have hazardous characteristics and when discarded in an inappropriate manner can cause harm to the health of waste pickers and the environment. This work aims to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively the residues with emphasis on the hazardous ones, which are destined to the Association of Waste Collectors of the Municipality of Caxias do Sul, RS, through selective collection. To this end, hazardous wastes that reach two associations of waste pickers were identified and classified, identifying risks to the health of these workers and the environment that may occur due to the inadequate management of these wastes and to analyze changes in the quality of waste in an economic crisis situation. This is a documentary and field research carried out by means of characterization of hazardous waste, from the selective collection of the Municipality of Caxias do Sul, RS, during a week in two Associations of selected collectors. The results showed that there is an expressive amount of hazardous waste inappropriately discarded by the population as selective waste, such as: syringes with needles; medicines; ampoules; stacks; lamps; batteries; gloves of procedure; insecticides; poison for pests; and potentially harmful material such as glass. The results also showed that health service waste was also found in the selective collection, and poses a risk to the health of the collectors, being able to transmit diseases such as hepatitis, besides causing labor injuries that make it impossible to continue the work rhythm. Regarding the economic analysis, it was noticed a decrease in the generation of waste by the population between 2014 and 2015, reflecting the decrease in the income of the collectors in the associations, who needed to recycle residues of lesser commercial value such as glass, previously considered waste, to improve its income. In short, the inappropriate disposal of hazardous wastes in selective waste collection often causes irreparable damage to the life of the waste pickers, which make the waste their means of subsistence.

Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo estudar, a partir do cotidiano de trabalho da Cooperativa, as alterações, apreendidas por seus cooperados, em relação às suas crenças, valores, visão sobre o trabalho e a realidade social. Tais alterações possibilitam discutir a presença de uma consciência mais crítica desses trabalhadores, que contribua para uma nova forma de se apropriarem e de intervirem na realidade. A pesquisa ocorreu simultaneamente ao projeto de extensão universitária que desenvolvemos, junto à Cooperativa dos Catadores de Materiais Recicláveis, por intermédio do Núcleo de Assessoria à Formação e ao Desenvolvimento de Cooperativas Populares, da UNESP de Assis. A longa permanência no campo permitiu-nos, por meio da observação participante, entrevistas, grupos de discussões, fotos, documentos e registros, a obtenção de um grande banco de dados. A experiência vivida pelos catadores, em sua organização coletiva para o trabalho, com base nos princípios da Economia Solidária e do cooperativismo, bem como a trajetória da COOCASSIS apontam para diversas mudanças, tanto em relação ao seu funcionamento, quanto aos seus cooperados. Atualmente, parceira na política de gestão de resíduos sólidos do município, ela busca viabilizar, por meio de políticas públicas, a garantia de acesso definitivo aos meios e bens de produção. A convivência em um espaço de trabalho, também de sociabilidade, levou os cooperados, com o estabelecimento de relações democráticas e solidárias, ao exercício de suas potencialidades, à alteração da imagem que têm de si e da visão sobre o trabalho, que não se resume em garantir a sobrevivência. Nesse contexto, com os rendimentos aumentados, a produção adquire igualmente novo sentido: o de melhorar a vida dos cooperados. A rede de relações constituídas, ao longo desse percurso, com a Igreja Católica, Poder Público, UNESP, Movimento Nacional de Catadores, Fundação Banco do Brasil, sindicatos, movimentos sociais e outras instituições, foi fundamental ao desenvolvimento da Cooperativa. Possibilitaram aos seus cooperados o exercício político e o intenso processo de aquisição de conhecimentos, essenciais para que se apropriassem da realidade de forma mais crítica, alterassem o lugar nela ocupado e passassem nela a intervir. O papel desempenhado pela Assessoria da UNESP, como mediadora desse processo, contribuiu para os resultados alcançados. / The purpose of this research is to study, from the quotidian work at the Cooperative, the alterations seized by its members upon their beliefs, values, vision about work and social reality. Due to those alterations it is possible to discuss the presence of a most critical conscience in the workers, which will contribute for a new way of appropriation of reality and intervention in it. The research was developed together with a project of the University carried out by us at the Cooperativa de Catadores de Materiais Recicláveis, through the Núcleo de Assessoria à Formação e ao Desenvolvimento de Cooperativas Populares from UNESP in the city of Assis. The long staying in the field allowed me, through participant observation, interviews, groups of discussion, photos, documents and records, to obtain a large data bank. The experience of the workers, in their colective organization for work, based on the principles of Solidary Economy and on cooperativism, as well as the way of COOCASSIS, point to multiple changes either concerning its functioning as its own members. Nowadays, the Cooperative, which is a partner of the administration of solid residuum in the city, aims at the possibility, by public policies, of a guarantee for its definite access to means of production. The acquaintanceship developed in a place of work and sociability led the cooperators, under the establishment of democratic and solidary relations, to the exercise of their potencialities, to the alteration of self-image and of vision of work, which goes beyond the garantee of survival. In such context, with higher wages, production acquires a new sense: that of bringing to cooperators a better life. Along that period, the relationship acquainted with Catholic Church, Public Institutions, UNESP, National Moviment of Colectors, Fundation Bank of Brazil, labor unions, social moviments among other institutions, was fundamental to the development of the Cooperative. They made possible, for colectors, the political exercise and the intense process of knowledge acquisition that are essencial for their apropriation of reality in a more critical way, their changing of the space ocupied by it and their interference in it. The role of Advice of UNESP, as a mediator of the process, contributed for the achived results.

Waste management is a global phenomenon and a challenge to all nations. There is a need to ensure that waste is handled in an environmental friendly and healthy manner. The high rate of unemployment in South Africa leads to elevated poverty, which is one of the most serious socio-economic problems in developing countries. This leads to people opting to work anywhere, particularly in the informal sector for survival. Waste picking is classified as a type of informal employment. In South Africa, the last stage in the life cycle of waste disposal is at the landfill sites. Landfill sites are normally located on the outskirts of towns and away from communities for safety and health reasons. This study researched the working conditions and health status of waste pickers working at some landfill sites in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, namely Ga-Rankuwa, Onderstepoort and Hatherly. The study used a multi method approach, where both qualitative and quantitative factors of research were utilized. Data was gathered through survey questionnaire with a sample of 176 waste pickers at three landfill sites, together with unstructured interviews with municipal workers. The researcher also observed how waste pickers work at the landfill sites. Some of the findings of this study are that: • About 66 % of waste pickers at the landfill sites were females with an average age of 45 years. • A majority (93 %) of waste pickers did not reach matric and were not employable in the formal sector • Most waste pickers (53%) work 5 days and a few (41%) work 6 days per week. • Only 22% of participants reported injury at work and 41% consulted the clinic or hospital due to injury or illness. Descriptive statistical results of the study revealed that waste pickers view their health to be fair as compared to their peers but were not satisfied with their working conditions. Waste pickers are aware of stigma including health challenges associated with working at a landfill site and the need of acting appropriately in protecting themselves / Department of Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Este estudo tem por objetivo delinear as condições de vida, as trajetórias de trabalho e os modos de "estar" e "ser" catador de papel. Para tanto, desenvolvemos um estudo qualitativo, mediante acompanhamento do trabalho de catadores e entrevistas semi-estruturadas, na cidade de Curitiba (PR). Identificamos que as trajetórias são orientadas por múltiplas motivações, sustentadas em tentativas de inserção no mercado formal de trabalho bem como na avaliação desses trabalhadores sobre as chances e vantagens no mercado formal e informal de trabalho. Apresentamos os modos de "estar" e "ser" catador. Sob estes aspectos apresentam-se como relevantes: sentirem-se percebidos pela população como estorvo, como marginais e como sujos. Por outro lado, identificam algumas vantagens em ser catador, como por exemplo, os rendimentos, a maior autonomia na definição da organização do trabalho e a ausência da figura do chefe. Verificamos que há formas de "estar" catador, como por exemplo, os "profissionais", os que têm a "visão empresarial", os que têm a atividade como "bico", dentre outros. Evidenciamos que, embora o trabalho realizado pelos catadores de papel tenha grande relevância no ciclo produtivo da reciclagem de materiais, suas condições de vida e de trabalho são bastante precárias. / This work delineates the life conditions, labor history and the different manners of existence of the rag picker. It is developed a qualitative research by acompaniment of the workers and semi-structured interviews, in the city of Curitiba (PR). The results pointed out that the workers are headed for attempts to include themselves on the labor market as well as for their evaluation about opportunities and advantages of stay in a formal job or in a informal work. It is presented different manners of be (existence) a rag picker. It is important the feeling of be noticed as an obstacle, a marginal or a dirty person. On the other hand it is pointed some advantages like the earnings or the larger autonomy to arrange the work itself without a boss. There are different ways of being a rag picker. The “professionals", the ones that have the managerial view and the workers that regard this job as a possibility for a complementary earnings. It is evidenced that the life and work conditions of the rag picker are quite precarious, despite the great relevance of their role in the recyclable materials business.

Nesta dissertação foi realizado um estudo sobre os direitos socioambientais indispensáveis à dignidade humana dos catadores de resíduos sólidos à luz das Necessidades Humanas Básicas. Desenvolveu-se a base teórica: Necessidades Humanas Básicas, conjugada com os direitos fundamentais da Constituição Federal Brasileira de 1988, especificamente no que tange aos princípios da cidadania e da dignidade da pessoa humana, conseqüentemente chegando aos direitos socioambientais que são operacionalizados pelo Estado Socioambiental de Direito. Primeiramente foi realizada uma panorâmica sobre o sistema capitalista brasileiro, verificando-se que esse modelo, desencadeou o consumismo excessivo na população, e juntamente ocasionou desequilíbrios ecológicos e sociais. Identificando as atividades realizadas pelos catadores de resíduos sólidos e as substâncias que manuseiam e seus cotidianos percebeu-se que eles podem ser inseridos nesse contexto dos desequilíbrios socioambientais, uma vez que realizam serviços para a limpeza do meio ambiente e por outro lado, mesmo diante ao trabalho relevante que desempenham, são excluídos da sociedade. Mediante a essas preocupações foi delimitado para esse estudo duas Necessidades Intermediárias: cuidados de saúde apropriado e ambiente de trabalho sem riscos, objetivando inferir ao final do trabalho se os catadores de resíduos sólidos têm satisfeitas as Necessidades Humanas Básicas, coligadas com os direitos fundamentais constitucionais. Dentro dos documentos analisados, identificou-se em alguns dispositivos que há legislação adequada para que os catadores de resíduos sólidos tenham uma vida como cidadão e com dignidade. Há uma disparidade em relação a aplicabilidade das leis e precariedade política quanto a inserção desses profissionais na sociedade em geral. Muitas são as estratégias para mudar esse cenário, sendo necessária uma atuação mais eficaz do poder publico, para que os catadores de resíduos sólidos tenham garantidas as Necessidades Humanas Básicas e os direitos socioambientais. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2014-11-27T16:27:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Silmares Sonia Michelin.pdf: 1075978 bytes, checksum: 699dd2b1c2502d99464f710e78fa5dfa (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-11-27T16:27:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Silmares Sonia Michelin.pdf: 1075978 bytes, checksum: 699dd2b1c2502d99464f710e78fa5dfa (MD5) / All over this dissertation it was realized a study about the indispensable socio environmental rights to the human dignity of the collectors of solid waste in the light of BHN. It was desenvolved the theoretical base: BHN, coupled with the fundamental rights of FC/88, specifically on what is related to the principles of citizenship and the human dignity, consequently going to the socio environmental rights that are operationalized by SARS. At first, it was performed a panoramic about the brazilian capitalist system, verifying that this way, triggered the excessive consumerism on population, and also caused an ecological and social imbalance. Identifying the activities performed by the CSW and the substances that they deal with and their daily lives, it was noticed that they can be included in the context of the socio environmental imbalances, once they perform services to the environmental cleanup and on the other hand, despite the relevant work they perform, they are excluded from society. By this concern it was delimited to this study to IN: appropriate health care and a safe workplace, aiming to infer at the end of the work if the CSW have the BHN satisfied, associated with the fundamental constitutional rights. Within the analyzed documents, it was identified some devices that has appropriate legislation to provide to the CSW a life as a citizen and with dignity. There is a disparity regarding to the applicability of laws and political instability referring to the inclusion of these professional in society, in general. There are many strategies to change this scenario, being necessary a more effective work by the public power, to guarantee to the CSW the BHN and the socio environmental rights.