Hundreds of waste pickers work in Accra's Kpone landfill, recovering about 60% of the 1200 pounds of solid waste that are dropped off at the landfill daily. They collect and sort a range of recyclable material, then sell it to be reused in the manufacture of new products.
In doing so, they serve as vital contributors to their community's waste management system, reducing pressure on the landfill while earning enough to survive and feed their families. And they perform a valuable environmental service. Recycling is a significant contributor to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and lessens the strain on virgin resources (such as trees).
For years, these waste pickers have been organizing and fighting for respect and recognition of their contributions. Now, as they struggle to recover from the devastating economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis, which prevented them from earning, they face a dire new threat.
Earlier in June, media reports indicated that the the Kpone landfill faces imminent closure. Despite their daily--unpaid--contributions to the municipal waste management system, and the fact that they depend on this landfill to access their livelihood, waste pickers have not been directly contacted or consulted. There appears to be no plan to help them establish alternative livelihoods.
WIEGO’s experts have long stressed that while open dumps pose both environmental and health risks, any dump closure must include a strategy for livelihood plans. And those plans must be made in consultation with the waste pickers, who are experts in both waste management and in what they need to survive, thrive and continue to serve their communities.
“We know a lot,” says Johnston Doe, who leads the Kpone Waste Picker’s Association. “We are people of vision. We want the government to recognize us, include us, talk to us."
He notes that Ghana has claimed to want to include job creation and social inclusion as part of its waste management policies.
"We have a lot of ideas," Doe says. "We feel we can play a major role in the waste management system."
Waste picker Grace Avemegah from Accra's Kpone landfill explains what's at stake.