150 S.GALAB, S. SUDHAKAR REDDY, ISA BAUD
ronmental contributions the recycling sector makes to recovering inorganic waste
materials. Oddly enough, this also applies to international agencies promoting safer
and more effective solid waste management (such as the World Bank). The thrust of
their policy interventions is in the direction of more effective collection and safer
disposal (see WB SWM Roadshow in India in 2000; new Rules for SWM by GOI),
and prevents them from developing new initiatives including recycling and recovery
activities.
System viability
Currently the waste recycling system is viable, because of its ‘informality’ and
reduced costs of labour and non-paid taxes. If it were to be formalized and included as
part of the urban SWM system with a recognized contribution to reducing volumes of
wastes for disposal and the environmental contribution of reduction of use of virgin
resources, the system may become less viable, because increased taxes and labour
costs will reduce profits in recycling units. These units pass on costs down the
commodity chain, making waste picking less viable or completely unviable
financially.
Contributions to public health and environmental aspects of sustainable development
The environmental impact of reuse and recycling activities has been assessed in terms
of two parameters: reduction in volume of waste disposed of at the dumpsite, and the
perceived impact on environmental health conditions (in India called public health).
Cleanliness of neighbourhoods
The environmental or public health impact of waste recovery and recycling at the
neighbourhood level is perceived to be negative. This applies more to the street
pickers than to itinerant buyers and is related to the fact that waste materials are taken
out of the rubbish bins to be sorted by the pickers They are also considered to be poten-
tial thieves, and residents are very hesitant about their presence in their
neighbourhood. Itinerant buyers do not pose an environmental health problem, as they
take unmixed waste out of the neighbourhood before trading it further. Retail traders
are perceived as a negative environmental health hazard, as they store materials in
their home premises in residential areas, and have pickers coming and going with the
waste they sell. Wholesalers are usually located outside residential areas, and not
perceived by residents as a hazard.
Health of workers
The recycling commodity chain relies on labor-intensive recovery and transformation
activities, and exposes most workers to continuous threat of injuries and possible
infections from contaminated waste. The workers most at risk include the women and
children sorting waste in recycling and trading units, and the street and dumpsite