Lagos waste pickers are calling for official recognition and an end to societal stigma following a one-day capacity building workshop.
The workshop, recently held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference and Exhibition Center, brought together waste pickers, civil society organizations, and media representatives.
Organized by the Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE) as part of the Zero Waste Ambassadors Project, the event focused on waste pickers from the Association of Scraps and Waste-Pickers of Lagos State (ASWOL). It also formed part of the Multi-solving Action to Methane Reduction in Nigeria (MAMRN) Project.
The workshop aimed to educate waste pickers on organic waste and its potential for transformation into valuable resources like compost. Discussions highlighted the challenges faced by waste pickers, leading to calls for action from the government and stakeholders.
Participants noted several key observations. Despite being “frontline warriors in addressing environmental waste including plastic pollution,” waste pickers are not given due recognition and face social stigma. The communique states, “Waste pickers are not accorded recognition” and “Waste pickers are stigmatised in the society.”
The sector also remains “largely unregulated,” and waste pickers are exposed to hazards without proper protective gear. They also face exploitation and lack of social and economic opportunities.
Several recommendations were made to the government as the communique urges that “Waste pickers must be recognised as the most important stakeholder in the entire waste management value chain.” It also calls to “Put an end to all forms of stigmatisation of waste pickers” and “Permit the unionisation of the waste management sector.” Ensuring waste pickers are “adequately protected from work hazards” with personal protective equipment was another key demand.
Additionally, the communique recommends “Gurantee social and economic opportunities for waste pickers” and to “Identify and Prosecute employers who subject waste pickers to anti-labour practices.” It also stresses the “Need for public education and enlightenment on the importance of the role of waste pickers in the waste management chain.”
The communique was jointly signed by PAVE, ASWOL, Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), and Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria).
