Unseen Heros: The Crucial Role of Waste Pickers by Liana Jeffries

It smells. And it's not necessarily a pleasant smell. It smells like garbage, specifically waste. Our group is currently meeting with the waste management organization, Hasiru Dala. It was founded in 2011 and continues to focus on advocating for waste pickers through "interventions co-created with the waste pickers, in the areas of identity rights, access to family education, healthcare, housing, and more." I was not entirely familiar with the waste management in Bengaluru. I'm barely familiar with waste management in Chicago, the city I was raised in and continue living in. Unfortunately, not knowing where one's trash goes and what happens to it is a privilege many take for granted. 

We met with a kind woman, Kumuda. She was a waste picker for over a decade until Hasiru Dala selected her to have her waste management site. However, the funds meant to be allocated to her through the city were never adequately afforded to her. She built the facility we were standing in through her own efforts and funds. She explained that she found success in becoming a waste picker. Kumuda's family were farmers and owned their land until it was taken from them. She left her home and traveled to Bengaluru, where she discovered waste picking. She and her husband were waste pickers and, through that, were able to establish themselves. Now, Kumuda is waiting to pass down her facility to one of her trusted employees. 

Kumuda at the Clean City Recycler's Association | Photo by Anna Guevarra 

Hasiru Dala has done a lot of groundbreaking work for the waste pickers throughout Bengaluru. Firstly, they advocated for waste pickers to receive occupational identity cards due to the many benefits of attaining these cards. It allows recognition of their work as a legitimate occupation and "acts as official identification which can be used as proof of address/identity for application of other social security benefits." Additionally, they can "access … public spaces" and "validate that they are city residents" through occupational identity cards. This has opened a lot of opportunities for the waste picker community. However, the city can do more for waste pickers. 

I know it comes from a place of privilege to type this out from the comfort of my home. I'm not on the frontlines advocating for them like Hasiru Dala. But I can pass on some of what I learned. Waste pickers and management are essential in our society, yet they are not treated that way. Kumuda continued to give us a tour of her site. I saw a baby and a small child with some individuals as they sorted through the waste. I asked about the waste-picking protective gear since I could not see many wearing gloves or masks. Bianca, a representative from Hasiru Dala, described the challenges of implementing protective gear due to the heat. I then asked about the children present at the site. Bianca explained that Hasiru Dala offers schooling and support in pursuing education for waste pickers' children but only at a certain age. As much as I didn't want to feel discontent and wanted to focus on all the good Hasiru Dala had done, I couldn't help but want more for this community. Bengaluru must prioritize the health and safety of waste pickers.