Urban Development Policy Making

Urban Development Policy Making

The Health and Social Effects Attributed to Waste Pickers in Large Cities

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ali Behnami 1
Hasan Pasalari 2
Mitra Gholami 3
1 Ph.D Student, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Professor, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/judpm.2025.510741.1014
Abstract
The world faces an unprecedented increase in solid waste generation due to population growth, urbanization, and changing consumption patterns. This growing waste crisis poses serious threats to both the environment and public health; it requires urgent attention. Effective waste management, with a strong emphasis on recycling, is crucial in mitigating these negative impacts. Recycling minimizes pressure on natural resources, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, it reduces the use of landfill and incineration options that lead to soil and air pollution. However, developing countries face significant challenges in recycling due to inadequate infrastructure, lack of integrated waste management systems, and limited public awareness. In these countries, informal waste pickers play a key role in recycling by collecting valuable materials such as plastics, metals, and paper. However, their unrecognized and unorganized work exposes them to severe health risks, including infections, musculoskeletal disorders, and exposure to hazardous substances. They also face economic vulnerabilities and social exclusion. Despite these hardships, economic necessity and limited job opportunities drive people to pick up waste. To improve this situation, waste pickers need to be integrated into municipal waste management programs through legal identification, health education, and access to health care services. Organizing them as municipal workers can be mutually beneficial, increasing urban cleanliness and economic efficiency while fostering a healthier and more sustainable society.
Keywords
Waste Management
Recycling
Garbage Collectors
Health Costs
Tehran

Subjects

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Urban Development Policy Making
Volume 2, Issue 2
Summer 2025
Pages 111-124

  • Receive Date 19 February 2025
  • Revise Date 19 March 2025
  • Accept Date 20 April 2025
  • Publish Date 22 June 2025