ASI and CARE Project partners launch the Living Income Study
The assessment offers insights into income levels, working conditions and the persistent gap between current earnings and the income required for a dignified standard of living.
29 November 2025
ASI and partners have launched a new study on the living income of waste pickers in Bogotá and Barranquilla as part of the CARE Project, contributing new evidence to support more inclusive and equitable recycling systems. The assessment offers insights into income levels, working conditions and the persistent gap between current earnings and the income required for a dignified standard of living. It also highlights the policy progress made in Colombia in recognising waste pickers’ role, while identifying ongoing structural challenges that limit livelihoods and social protection.
Key takeaways include:
- Many waste pickers lack formal labour rights, sufficient income and access to basic services, leading to precarious living conditions.
- Policy advances over the past decade have strengthened recognition of waste pickers as essential service providers, but implementation gaps remain.
- Improved formalisation, social protection coverage and access to appropriate vehicles and equipment are critical for safer, more productive work.
- Strengthening waste picker organisations and introducing transparent reporting and traceability systems would help ensure fair payment and income visibility.
- Expanding environmental education and efforts to reduce stigma can improve source separation and reduce the burden on workers.
Alongside the full report, a summary infographic has been published to make the outcomes easier to access and understand. Together, these visuals outline how the study was conducted, the scale of the income gap, how different recyclable materials contribute to earnings, and the gender and income patterns observed across both cities. They also show why these insights matter for improving livelihoods, pointing to practical measures—such as stronger organisations, fairer payment systems, better equipment and expanded social protection—that can help support more secure and dignified work in Colombia’s recycling system.
Explore the findings and recommendations that can help strengthen social outcomes in circular value chains.
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