The essence of informal waste recovery on pickers’ lives and livelihoods: the case of Gweru city landfill

The main aim of this research was to undertake an enquiry on the essence of informal waste recovery on pickers’ lives and livelihoods. Much focus was on how the urban waste had improved waste pickers’ lives and livelihood. The objectives of the study were to determine the socio-economic status of the waste pickers; establish what was being recovered at the dumpsite; and to come up with recommendations on informal waste recovery as a means of a livelihood. The study found out that the informal waste pickers earned an income from waste. In addition, the informal waste recovery is also reducing the waste at the landfill which will then contribute positively to the life span of the landfill. However, waste pickers’ livelihoods were enhanced in unsafe ways and environments. The study recommends that the informal sector be recognized as stakeholders within the municipality's waste management. This can be achieved through the formation of associations and co-operatives in the informal waste recovery sector. This study assumes that if informal waste recovery can be integrated into the formal sector, the City of Gweru can also benefit from waste recovery in many ways for example through engaging people recovering waste at the landfill and educating them on the dangers of working without protective clothing