The Future of Waste Management: Empowering Women and the Informal Sector
Bangkok recently hosted a pivotal discussion at the SEA of Solutions Forum 2025, focusing on a critical yet often overlooked aspect of waste management: the integration of the informal sector and the advancement of gender equality. Convened by UNEP and the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asian (UNEP-COBSEA), the forum highlighted the essential role informal waste workers – a demographic often comprised of women – play in resource recovery and recycling.
Recognizing the Backbone of Recycling
For many countries in the Asia-Pacific region and globally, informal waste workers are the primary drivers of recycling rates. They collect, sort, and process materials that would otherwise end up in landfills or polluting the environment. As highlighted by IGES Executive Director Hiroshi Ono, these workers are “the backbone of resource recovery and recycling.” However, their contributions are frequently unrecognized and unsupported.
Gender Inequality in Waste Systems
The session at SEA of Solutions revealed that gender inequalities significantly shape waste systems. Even as women are often central to household waste management and informal recycling, they are underrepresented in decision-making roles and typically earn less than their male counterparts. This disparity is compounded by social norms and economic inequalities.
Upcoming Research and Key Findings
A forthcoming report by UNEP-IETC and IGES-CCET, tentatively titled “Gender and Informal Sector Integration in Waste Management,” will present case studies from Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. Preliminary findings indicate that waste management is deeply intertwined with gender norms, social structures, and economic disparities. The report identifies six key enablers for gender-responsive and inclusive waste systems: policy coherence, community-based models, capacity building, and inclusive infrastructure.
The Need for Legal Recognition and Social Protection
Janu Dangol, Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers, emphasized the urgent need for legal recognition and stronger social protection for informal waste workers. This includes access to health insurance, pensions, disability coverage, and accident protection. Specifically, Ms. Dangol stressed that women face additional barriers and require tailored support, such as childcare, protection against harassment, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Systemic Change
Thailand’s efforts to develop an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme were presented as an opportunity to integrate the informal sector into broader waste and circular economy systems. Dr. Sujitra Vassanadumrongdee, a researcher at Chulalongkorn University, highlighted the importance of addressing intersectional vulnerabilities, such as the challenges faced by elderly women working in the informal sector.
Community-Led Initiatives: A Model for Success
The EcoIkot Center in the Philippines, a women-led initiative showcased by UNEP Goodwill Ambassador Antoinette Taus, demonstrates the power of community-driven models. This initiative strengthens both social inclusion and environmental outcomes, proving that investing in women is an investment in communities and a sustainable future.
Future Trends: Towards Inclusive Circularity
Several key trends are emerging that will shape the future of waste management and the role of the informal sector:
- Formalization of the Informal Sector: Increased efforts to integrate informal waste workers into formal systems, providing them with legal recognition, fair wages, and social protection.
- Gender-Responsive Policies: Development of policies that specifically address the needs and challenges faced by women in the waste sector.
- Technological Innovation: The leverage of technology to improve the efficiency and safety of waste collection and sorting, while also creating new economic opportunities for informal workers.
- Circular Economy Models: A shift towards circular economy models that prioritize waste prevention, reuse, and recycling, creating a demand for the services provided by the informal sector.
- Data Collection and Analysis: Improved data collection on the informal waste sector to better understand its size, composition, and contributions.
FAQ
Q: Why is the informal sector important in waste management?
A: Informal waste workers play a crucial role in resource recovery and recycling, often handling materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Q: What are the main challenges faced by women in the waste sector?
A: Women often face lower wages, limited access to decision-making roles, and increased vulnerability to harassment and health risks.
Q: What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?
A: EPR is a policy approach where producers are responsible for the end-of-life management of their products, incentivizing them to design for recyclability and reduce waste.
By prioritizing inclusion, addressing gender inequalities, and embracing innovative solutions, governments and partners can build more equitable, resilient, and sustainable waste and circular economy systems.
Learn More: Explore the UNEP’s perform on waste management and the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA).
