International Alliance of Waste Pickers

About International Alliance of Waste Pickers

The International Alliance of Waste Pickers unites 59 member organisations, representing 500,000 waste pickers across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America. Our members form a diverse workforce in the informal economy, actively collecting, sorting, reusing, recycling, and selling discarded materials—often in challenging conditions. Waste pickers make essential contributions to waste management by recovering large quantities of reusable and recyclable materials, frequently surpassing formal systems. Our constituents' work mitigates plastic pollution and reduces carbon emissions, significantly advancing environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, waste pickers often face marginalisation, stigma, and threats to their livelihoods, including the privatisation of waste systems and the closure of dumpsites. The Alliance addresses these challenges by raising our voice at local and global levels, advocating for our constituents' rights, recognition, and improved working conditions. We remain committed to empowering waste pickers, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring their vital role receives the respect and support it deserves.

Waste pickers actively recover aluminium cans and consider these recovered materials as savings for a rainy day, since the material generates significant income for them. Therefore, joining the Aluminium Stewards Initiative holds great importance for IAWP and our constituents, as it enables us to participate in discussions within the aluminium industry and recovery sector, and ensures our contributions and perspectives reach industry leaders.

- Severino Lima Junior - President