Wastepickers are the gatekeepers of plastic pollution. The plastic wastes they do not pick up are leaked to the environment. But policymakers working towards banning plastics never consulted this important stakeholders. Chintan conducted a research among wastepickers in Delhi, Pune, Indore and Nainital on importance of plastics on their livelihoods and their perception about plastics.
Plastic waste contribute almost 40% of a wastepickers income. Hence banning plastic will directly affect their livelihoods. The first round of attempt to ban single use plastic will not affect them as that's exactly what they do not pick up for its low value in recycling trade. But further ban of plastics will definitely affect their income.
Wastepickers are not against banning more plastic, they know how bad plastic is. But they may stop picking waste if their incomes reduce beyond acceptable level. And that's going to be a problem for city fathers, and society at large. There has to be a proper plan to protect wastepickers' livelihoods before planning further ban on plastics.
Chintan's report argues about ways to protect wastepickers' livelihood. But before details about those plans, it is high time that wastepickers are recognised as essential workers for a sustainable city.
Here is the report and a video to impress upon this argument.