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An analytical framework and tool (‘InteRa’) for integrating the informal recycling sector in waste and resource management systems in developing countries

By , , , , , on September 01, 2012

Abstract: In low- and middle-income developing countries, the informal (collection and) recycling sector (here abbreviated IRS) is an important, but often unrecognised, part of a city’s solid waste and resources management system. Recent evidence shows recycling rates of 20–30% achieved by IRS systems, reducing collection and disposal costs. They play a vital role in the value chain by reprocessing waste into secondary raw materials, providing a livelihood to around 0.5% of urban populations. However, persisting factual and perceived problems are associated with IRS (waste-picking): occupational and public health and safety (H&S), child labour, uncontrolled pollution, untaxed activities, crime and political collusion. Increasingly, incorporating IRS as a legitimate stakeholder and functional part of solid waste management (SWM) is attempted, further building recycling rates in an affordable way while also addressing the negatives. Based on a literature review and a practitioner’s workshop, here we develop a systematic framework—or typology—for classifying and analysing possible interventions to promote the integration of IRS in a city’s SWM system. Three primary interfaces are identified: between the IRS and the SWM system, the materials and value chain, and society as a whole; underlain by a fourth, which is focused on organisation and empowerment. To maximise the potential for success, IRS integration/inclusion/formalisation initiatives should consider all four categories in a balanced way and pay increased attention to their interdependencies, which are central to success, including specific actions, such as the IRS having access to source separated waste. A novel rapid evaluation and visualisation tool is presented —integration radar (diagram) or InterRa—aimed at illustrating the degree to which a planned or existing intervention considers each of the four categories. The tool is further demonstrated by application to 10 cases around the world, including a step-by-step guide.

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Velis, Costas A., Wilson, David C., Rocca, Ondina, Smith, Stephen R., Mavropoulos, Antonis, and Cheeseman, Christopher R. An analytical framework and tool (‘InteRa’) for integrating the informal recycling sector in waste and resource management systems in developing countries. , , . , 2012. Velis, C. A., Wilson, D. C., Rocca, O., Smith, S. R., Mavropoulos, A., and Cheeseman, C. R. (2012). An analytical framework and tool (‘InteRa’) for integrating the informal recycling sector in waste and resource management systems in developing countries. , , . Velis, Costas A., Wilson, David C., Rocca, Ondina, Smith, Stephen R., Mavropoulos, Antonis, and Cheeseman, Christopher R. "An analytical framework and tool (‘InteRa’) for integrating the informal recycling sector in waste and resource management systems in developing countries." 2012, .Velis Costas A., Wilson David C., Rocca Ondina, Smith Stephen R., Mavropoulos Antonis, and Cheeseman Christopher R. "An analytical framework and tool (‘InteRa’) for integrating the informal recycling sector in waste and resource management systems in developing countries." (2012). Velis, C A, Wilson, D C, Rocca, O, Smith, S R, Mavropoulos, A, and Cheeseman, C R 2012, 'An analytical framework and tool (‘InteRa’) for integrating the informal recycling sector in waste and resource management systems in developing countries', , , . Costas A Velis, David C Wilson, Ondina Rocca, Stephen R Smith, Antonis Mavropoulos, and Christopher R Cheeseman, 'An analytical framework and tool (‘InteRa’) for integrating the informal recycling sector in waste and resource management systems in developing countries' (2012). Velis C. A., Wilson D. C., Rocca O., Smith S. R., Mavropoulos A., and Cheeseman C. R. An analytical framework and tool (‘InteRa’) for integrating the informal recycling sector in waste and resource management systems in developing countries. . 2012. Velis, Costas A., Wilson, David C., Rocca, Ondina, Smith, Stephen R., Mavropoulos, Antonis, and Cheeseman, Christopher R. An analytical framework and tool (‘InteRa’) for integrating the informal recycling sector in waste and resource management systems in developing countries. . 2012. , .

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