The dignification of scrap-picking: an analysis of urban solid waste recycling in the city of Chihuahua

Abstract

The pepena activity is part of the informal sector, characterized by precariousness and social invisibility; however, it is a key element in the recycling production chain, providing an economic income for many people. In the city of Chihuahua, this activity is carried out on a significant scale. Therefore, this study analyzes and dignifies the recycling of urban solid waste from the perspective of scavengers, also explaining their relationship with other social actors at the city's final disposal site. The study starts from the premise that waste picking is, in the current era of global environmental crisis, an effective way to conserve resources and reduce environmental impacts. Methodologically, participatory action research was used as a strategy to raise awareness among scavengers about the importance of their work and to present their community organization as an example to other urban waste picking groups in different locations. Finally, we found issues in these groups such as informality, lack of legal support, specific health risks, and, more broadly, the absence of public policies to recognize this activity as valuable in addressing the global environmental crisis.