How waste pickers are helping to win the war on plastic pollution

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece here in Reuters or enjoy below

🗞️ Driving the news: Around 20 million global waste pickers, crucial to waste management especially where regular collection services are lacking, operate under tough conditions with low wages and no contracts
• Despite the challenges, their environmental contributions are vital to worldwide waste management

🔭 The context: While most global waste trade flows from North to South, waste plastic, especially high-value PET bottles, is an exception, being collected in Asia and Africa and sold to European recyclers
• However, manufacturers backing away from commitments to use more recycled plastic is a growing concern for these waste workers

🌎 Why it matters for the planet: Waste pickers contribute significantly to waste management and recycling, especially in developing nations
• Their work helps reduce environmental pollution and contributes to the circular economy

⏭️ What's next: The founder of Plastics for Change (NGO), Andrew Almack, is working to bring more structure and visibility to the informal waste management system
• The enterprise focuses on India, aiming to connect waste collectors with global brands through an ethical sourcing platform, creating a demand for recycled plastic and thus increasing its value

💬 One quote: “Brands need to leverage their purchasing power. This is the only way to historically ensure that supply chains have transformed, [...] (They) need to recognise that the informal waste economy is the backbone of the circular economy.” (Andrew Almack,founder of Plastics for Change)

📈 One stat: India produces more than 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, with around 40% left littering the environment

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