Challenges confronting waste pickers in Indonesia: An on-field analysis

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Sociology
• Waste Management

Background:

• The informal recycling sector (IRS) plays a critical role in waste management in Indonesian cities.
• Understanding the social and economic drivers of the IRS is crucial for effective waste management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the social and economic driving factors of the informal recycling sector in five Indonesian cities.
• To assess the contribution of the IRS to urban waste management.
• To identify potential areas for integration and improvement of the IRS within formal waste management systems.

Main Methods:

• On-field analysis using random and incidental sampling.
• Questionnaire administration and direct observation of 178 respondents.
• Categorization of respondents into waste pickers, small-scale, and medium-scale waste collectors.

Main Results:

• Waste pickers collect an average of 43.87 kg/person/day, achieving a recycling rate of approximately 12%.
• Average monthly income is US$91.7, with significant gender disparity (men: US$128.3, women: US$69.7).
• Economic motives and family migration are primary drivers for engaging in the IRS.

Conclusions:

• The IRS makes a substantial contribution to waste management in Indonesian cities.
• Integration of the IRS into formal systems through associations, investment, policy, and municipal efforts can yield significant benefits.
• Findings offer a reference for improving solid waste recycling and informal sector management in developing countries.