The invisible industry that provides a vital cushion for the world's urban poor

Wealth & Business · Published 18 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Often dismissed as mere scavengers, waste pickers perform a critical, unpaid subsidy for global cities. While many face extreme poverty and violence, they also drive the circular economy, salvaging materials that would otherwise pollute our streets, rivers, and atmosphere.

Waste picking is an ancient practice that modernized during the nineteenth-century industrial revolution. While often associated with the developing world, the practice has seen a resurgence in post-industry nations like the US and Europe since the mid-1990s. This boom is driven by a combination of shrinking landfill space, new recycling technologies, and economic shifts such as the rollback of the welfare state. In the United States, the number of roadside recycling programs grew from just one in 1985 to 9,000 by 1998. This expansion was supported by new state laws that mandated recycling participation.

The economic role of these workers is profound. In many developing cities, waste pickers provide between 50% and 100% of all waste collection services, according to a 2010 UN Habitat report. By reclaiming recyclables, they reduce the need for virgin materials and help mitigate climate change. However, the profession remains highly precarious. In Belgrade, Serbia, daily earnings average about US$3, while in Cambodia, they can be as low as $1 per day. In Brazil, the scale of the profession is significant, with nearly 250,000 citizens participating in the trade. However, gender disparities remain sharp; men comprise roughly two-thirds of the workforce, and they dominate the highest-earning groups.

The social costs are equally stark. In Colombia, since the 1980s, vigilante groups have killed at least 2,000 people in the informal sector, including waste collectors, whom they labeled 'disposables.' Workers also face severe health risks; in Mexico City, a study found the average lifespan of a dumpsite collector was just 39 years, significantly lower than the national average of 69 years. Despite these dangers, many are now organizing into cooperatives to demand safer working conditions and political recognition. Beyond physical hazards, workers face intense social stigma and harassment. In some regions, women are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence due to their low social standing and lack of institutional support.

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