Lagos Waste Pickers Speak About Their Dangerous Work

Nigeria's economic hub, with a population of more than 15 million, generates an estimated 12,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, which comes to about 4.3 million tonnes of waste annually. This ends up on the streets and in the city's four officially designated landfills, writes Olanrewaju Dada for The Conversation.

Waste pickers often work without protective gear, unassisted, and without access to primary care or first aid and employment regulations. They operate on the margins of or outside the formal process of managing solid waste, but play vital roles, especially in reuse, recycling, and cost recovery. They work in unsheltered environments and are unprotected from severe heat, sun, rain, and cold weather.

These conditions have been linked with cardiovascular disorders. Likewise, exposure to dust, micro-organisms, and microbial toxins can result in chronic respiratory diseases, skin problems and gastrointestinal illnesses.

"Nigerian authorities don't fully appreciate the beneficial role of waste pickers. These workers contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing wastes in dumpsites and providing material for recycling and reuse. But they are never considered when waste management policies are designed. Waste management authorities, NGOs, and multinational organizations must ensure that potable water, sanitary facilities, and clinics are provided at landfills," adds Dada.